Abstract: Surface defects occurring periodically in specific regions of the surface of steel material are removed by moving a detector head having a scarfing torch disposed forwardly of a detector probe for scanning along a predetermined path, during which the surface of the scanning path is scarfed smooth and detected by said head, and the surface defects are scarfed away according to the results of the detection.

Abstract: A scarfing device includes a powder supply apparatus having a plurality of discharge nozzles controlled by a shutoff valve and includes at least one extra scarfing nozzle associated with one of the powder discharge nozzles.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus lights the surface of a moving hot steel material with lamps, locates any flaw with a video camera or the like, scarfs the surface of the steel material adjacent the flaw with a scarfing torch, measures the depth of the flaw with an eddy current detecting probe or the like, estimates accurately the loss of length due to conditioning size and depth of the flaw with a computer, and cuts the steel material in a predetermined length plus the accurately estimated length corresponding to the loss of length due to conditioning.

Abstract: A method for spot scarfing a metal workpiece comprising continuously producing a pilot puddle on the surface of the workpiece, spreading the pilot puddle to a preselected width with a high intensity stream of oxygen gas, and impinging a stream of scarfing oxygen gas on the spread puddle and an apparatus to practice same.

Abstract: A scarfing torch adapted for manual manipulation which includes means disposed in said torch to provide a component of force upon the torch to offset forces upon the torch generated either by the flow of oxygen gas used in the scarfing process or gravity. The offsetting force is provided by the release of a secondary fluid from the torch in the appropriate direction. The secondary fluid may be released to impinge upon the surface of the workpiece being scarfed.

Abstract: A process for spot scarfing the surface of a metal workpiece comprising:(a) impinging a stream of pilot oxygen gas upon a portion of the workpiece which is at least at its oxygen ignition temperature, said stream of pilot oxygen gas being narrower than the width of a desired scarfing cut,(b) causing relative motion between said workpiece and said stream of pilot oxygen gas, so as to continuously produce a pilot puddle of molten metal along a chosen path on the surface of the workpiece,(c) contacting said pilot puddle with a high intensity stream of oxygen gas so as to spread the puddle to a preselected width when said puddle reaches an area to be spot scarfed on the surface of said workpiece, and(d) scarfing said area by impinging a stream of scarfing oxygen gas on the spread puddle, said stream of scarfing oxygen gas being wider than the pilot oxygen stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for flamescarfing the surface of a workpiece includes a powder supply device having a powder container connected via a shut-off valve to a powder distributor which is connected via hoses with nozzles mounted on the flamescarfing burner.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing metal blanks, in particular steel slabs, which at least in a predetermined surface area have substantially no defects such as cracks, seams, bubbles, scabs, or the like, at least the surface portion to be made free of defects being systematically and substantially completely scanned by means of at least one inspecting device which detects such defects at and closely beneath the surface as regards location and depth and a working means being controlled by means of the recorded defects, which by scarfing, grinding, milling, planning and/or another cutting machine and/or local material melt deposition and/or material replacement or the like removes the defects detected, the defects being recorded with their depth for surface sub-areas whose width transversely of the working means is substantially equal or less than the smallest working width of the working means and the working depth of the working means being controlled in accordance with the maximum defect depth recorded for

Abstract: A process for thermochemically scarfing a metal workpiece comprising:Preheating a spot on the surface of the workpiece where the scarfing reaction is to begin by directing a post-mixed preheating flame at the spot. The preheating flame is formed by:(a) discharging at least one stream of preheat oxidizing gas and at least one stream of preheat fuel gas from separate ports in such a manner that the streams impinge external to their discharge ports, above the work surface and in such manner that the axes of the streams form an acute included angle between them, and(b) stabilizing said preheating flame by discharging a low-intensity stream of oxidizing gas. The stabilizing stream is directed in the same general direction as the direction of the flame or it may be directed such that the angle formed by the low intensity stream and the forward axis of the flame is from 10.degree. to 90.degree..

Abstract: The invention describes a method of machining a workpiece with a cutting l arrangement involving relative rectilinear movement between workpiece and tool, a heat source being mounted for transverse movement in a series of arcuate passes across the workpiece to heat and soften the portion thereof immediately ahead of the cutting tool. In examples given, the heat source is one or two plasma torches and the arcuate passes are part of an oscillatory or of a rotational movement.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for igniting a gas planing process. The method is based on applying heat to a workpiece by means of a movable heat source, which in principle has a point effect so that the heated or molten portion of the workpiece forms a strip, which in principle extends perpendicularly to the flow direction of the planing oxygen. The device for carrying out the method comprises one or more planing burners and one or more movable ignition means so connected to the burner that the ignition means can move relative to the planing burner both in parallel with and perpendicularly to the planing direction and at the same time carry out the function of a heat source of in principle point shape, which preheats a strip-shaped zone on the surface of the workpiece and/or in addition to said preheating adds molten metal to said zone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing metal blanks, in particular steel slabs, which at least in a predetermined surface area have substantially no defects such as cracks, seams, bubbles, scabs, or the like, at least the surface portion to be made free of defects being systematically and substantially completely scanned by means of at least one inspecting device which detects such defects at and closely beneath the surface as regards location and depth and a working means being controlled by means of the recorded defects, which by scarfing, grinding, milling, planing and/or another cutting machine and/or local material melt deposition and/or material replacement or the like removes the defects detected, the defects being recorded with their depth for surface sub-areas whose width transversely of the working means is sustantially equal or less than the smallest working width of the working means and the working depth of the working means being controlled in accordance with the maximum defect depth recorded for th

Abstract: There is described a marking method for distinguishing the kind, depth, position and area of surface defects of a metal piece as well as a method for detecting marks on the metal piece and a method for arranging detected signals in a electronic computer to automatically control scarfing. Shapes and colors of the marks respectively correspond to either the kind or depth of the surface defects of the metal piece. The marks are detected by a photosensitive means which can recognize colors of the marks, for example, industrial color television camera. Output signals of the camera are transmitted to the electronic computer. The computer arranges the signals and processes them to automatically control the scarfing machine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing metal blanks, in particular steel slabs, which at least in a predetermined surface area have substantially no defects such as cracks, seams, bubbles, scabs, or the like, at least the surface portion to be made free of defects being systematically and substantially completely scanned by means of at least one inspecting device which detects such defects at and closely beneath the surface as regards location and depth and a working means being controlled by means of the recorded defects, which by scarfing, grinding, milling, planing and/or another cutting machine and/or local material melt deposition and/or material replacement or the like removes the defects detected, the defects being recorded with their depth for surface sub-areas whose width transversely of the working means is substantially equal or less than the smallest working width of the working means and the working depth of the working means being controlled in accordance with the maximum defect depth recorded for t

Abstract: A thermochemical scarfing process and apparatus capable of reducing the amount of smoke discharged to the atmosphere and/or of preventing the formation of "secondary" fins when spot scarfing, comprising:(a) scarfing oxygen is directed against a reaction zone of molten metal on the surface of the workpiece to produce a scarfing reaction, and(b) relative movement is provided between the oxygen stream and the workpiece, said reaction forming a molten puddle in front of the reaction zone that grows larger as the cut progresses, wherein the improvement comprises:(c) directing at least one stream of non-reactive fluid to form a fluid, sheet-like curtain that provides a cover over the reaction zone and at least the rear portion of the molten puddle in such manner that said curtain forms a pocket with the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and a device for gas planing with at least one gas planing device, at which the gas flowing out of the device is shielded off in lateral direction, and gas streams are directed substantially perpendicular from both sides to the gas flowing out of the planing device for applying a retaining effect on the melt being formed, and simultaneously gas streams are directed to the forward portion of the melt for applying a lifting and removing effect thereon.

Abstract: A process for thermochemically scarfing a metal workpiece comprising:Preheating a spot on the surface of the workpiece where the scarfing reaction is to begin by directing a post-mixed preheating flame at the spot. The preheating flame is formed by:(a) discharging at least one stream of preheat oxidizing gas and at least one stream of preheat fuel gas from separate ports in such a manner that the streams impinge external to their discharge ports, above the work surface and in such manner that the axes of the streams form an acute included angle between them, and(b) stabilizing said preheating flame by discharging a low-intensity stream of oxidizing gas. The stabilizing stream is directed in the same general direction as the direction of the flame and proximate to the impingement of the preheat oxidizing gas and preheat fuel gas streams.Steps (a) and (b) are continued until the spot reaches its oxidizing gas ignition temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for treating the surface of a workpiece. The invention ensures correct working of the workpiece surface and renders an accurate control of the working place in question possible.The removal of worked material during the working can also be carried out expediently according to the invention, which shows both a method, at which the working occurs during several working steps, and an apparatus for carrying out the method which in the embodiment shown is an apparatus for gas planing working where ignition and extinction of each separate nozzle is simplified and at the same time the melt can be handled more easily.

Abstract: A device for removing smoke gases, dust and the like from a workpiece to be flamed includes a suction hood mounted on a movable flaming machine located before the flame burner as seen in the flame direction and is characterized by the hood being connected by a first duct to a trough to which a second duct communicates with a filter apparatus being at the free end of the second duct.

Abstract: A method of gas planing for removing surface defects on a workpiece, where the working gas is supplied to the workpiece via a planing device, and air or another non-oxidizing gas mixture under pressure is supplied to the melt at the completion of the planing operation.

Abstract: A device for the flame treatment of a work-piece, includes upper and lower preheating blocks disposed to define a flame-oxygen duct, holding means operable for holding the blocks and including a gas distribution system communicating with said duct, and a separate nozzle communicating with the interior of the duct and operable for supplying oxygen to the duct.

Abstract: An instantaneous scarfing cut on the surface of a metal workpiece can be made by:(a) causing relative motion between the workpiece and a stream of scarfing oxygen gas, and simultaneously therewith(1) impinging at least one laser beam on the work surface so as to produce a heated path of desired length across said surface relative to its direction of motion, said heated path being produced by the laser beam heating a series of points on said surface to their oxygen ignition temperature, and(2) impinging a stream of scarfing oxygen onto said heated path, thereby causing an instantaneous scarfing cut to begin along said path, and(b) continuing the flow of scarfing oxygen until the desired length of cut has been produced.

Abstract: A portable, remote controlled hot deseamer apparatus equipped with a nozzle arrangement and an ignition device which is suitable for selective hot deseaming or flame cutting of a workpiece.

Abstract: Metallic sheets, wires, bars or other products are descaled by sweeping their surfaces with one or more laser beams to detach an adhering oxide film along lines traced by the beam sweep. The film fragments, still loosely adhering at locations between the sweep lines, are then removed mechanically, chemically or electrolytically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an instantaneous thermochemical start on the surface of a metal workpiece.The method resides in the use of laser beam focused to a small spot to bring the ferrous workpiece to ignition temperature in combination with a high intensity oxygen jet to cause the initiation of the thermochemical reaction. The laser beam may impinge the workpiece at a point about 1 cm behind the spot where the oxygen impinges the workpiece surface to a point about 10 cm ahead of such spot. Accordingly, the laser beam may penetrate the high intensity oxygen jet and still cause the thermochemical reaction to start instantaneously.The apparatus resides in a scarfing machine having a scarfing nozzle, an oxygen spreader nozzle and a laser assembly associated therewith. The oxygen spreader nozzle is mounted so as to provide high intensity oxygen jet on the surface of the workpiece ahead of the scarfing oxygen effluent from the scarfing nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for guiding a metal cutting torch to enable the flame thereof to cut a controlled thickness of metal material from the length of the outer surface of a elongated hollow cylindrical workpiece mounted securely to a shaft extending therethrough to enable the wall of the workpiece to be severed. A carriage for holding the cutting torch is slidably supported for movement along the length of the workpiece when the apparatus is mounted on the workpiece. The apparatus includes a feeding device for advancing the cutting torch at a controlled rate to enable the cutting torch to cut away substantially all of the thickness of a length of the workpiece, thereby weakening the workpiece sufficiently to enable its wall to be severed.

Abstract: Apparatus for making an instantaneous or flying scarfing start on a moving metal workpiece, including:A. a wire feed mechanism for feeding and contacting a spot on the workpiece where the reaction is to begin, with the end of the wire,B. a mechanism for preheating the end of the wire to its oxygen ignition temperature,C. a blowpipe for discharging a high intensity jet of oxygen at a point on the workpiece behind said spot, andD. a scarfing oxygen nozzle, directed at the workpiece at an acute angle so that the scarfing oxygen stream strikes the surface slightly behind the point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for initiating and maintaining a thermochemical process of scarfing the surface of a workpiece to remove surface defects like, e.g., cracks, in which there is used a unit of torches, continuously moving in relation to the workpiece, in which a spot or zone in the surface is burnt in oxygen or in other reacting medium.