Abstract: A method of cutting a steel coil with an axial center located within a bore of the steel coil. The method comprises the steps of positioning a cutting apparatus near the axial center of the steel coil, utilizing an imaging device as a sensor that is attached to the cutting apparatus for detecting the axial center of the steel coil, and aligning the cutting apparatus to be co-axial with the axial center. The method further comprises the steps of providing the cutting apparatus with a cutting device, radially directing the cutting device, and axially cutting an entire length of the steel coil by activating the cutting device, and axially moving the cutting device through the bore of the steel coil from a first end of the steel coil to a second end of the steel coil.

Abstract: A gas torch comprises a body with at a first end adjuster valves for connection to fluid supplies and at a second end a torch tip. At the first end there is a support from which the body extends to the tip. The body is made up of sections of rigid tube articulated and connected to each other by articulation and fluid passage connection devices. These ensure continuity of fluid circulation between the sections of tube. The sections of tube near the support are articulated to the support by articulation and fluid passage connection devices enabling them to be connected to the valves. Maneuvering means are articulated to the supports and to at least the sections of tube near the support so as to enable remote displacement of the tip. The tip is supplied with fluid by some at least of the articulated sections of tube constituting the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering mechanism for an autogenous cutting torch, wherein an autogenous cutting torch (5) is fastened to the end of a steering arm (2) shaped as a long shaft. Steering arm (2) is adapted to be axially movable and rotatable around its axis. In order to control the movements digitally at a desired, readily variable ratio of dependence or alternatively in cycles of desired duration, digitally controlled motors are operated, the first motor (9) rotating a gear (11) surrounding said steering arm (2). This gear (11) drives steering arm (2) therealong but steering arm (2) is axially movable relative to gear (11). Said gear (11) is fitted with a second digitally controlled motor (16), a gear (15) driven thereby being meshed with a toothed rack (2, 14) provided by the steering arm itself, for producing said axial movement.

Abstract: A machine tool for flat workpieces such as sheet material includes at least one work station, a first guidance assembly with a workpiece holding device movable in at least one direction relative to the work station and a second guidance assembly with a workpiece holding device independently operable in addition to, or alternatively with, the first workpiece holding device and adapted to be engaged with the workpiece so as to effect its movement independently of or concurrently with the first workpiece holding device. The machine tool desirably includes a computer control for operating the tool work station and the workpiece holding devices, and each of such workpiece holding devices includes at least a pair of workpiece clamping elements with adjustable spacing therebetween. The machine tool may include a pair of machine frames with cantilevered portions extending oppositely of each other and each providing at least one work station or a portion thereof.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for an autogenous cutting torch for cutting holes of desired shape in flat or curved sheet walls, such as in the wall of a pipe. The steering apparatus comprises a holder arm for an autogenous cutting torch and means for guiding the holder arm in a manner that the autogenous cutting torch can be run along a certain desired orbit or path. A problem with the prior art steering equipment is the limited scope of application, e.g. to the cutting of flat sheets only. In order to expand the scope of application to also cover curved surfaces as well as combinations of flat and curved surfaces, the holder arm is designed as a long rod (4), arranged to be axially displaceable on a slide guide (7).

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for torch cutting openings in pipes wherein the openings are dimensioned according to the size of other pipes to be connected by welding at the opening. The mechanism comprises a frame structure which is adapted to be secured in immovable relation to the pipe in which the opening is to be cut and wherein the frame structure supports locator means which establishes an axis of rotation relative to the pipe about which an opening is to be cut. The apparatus incorporates a pipe contour tracking mechanism which is efficiently adjusted for the size of the pipe opening to be cut and the size of the pipe in which the opening is to be cut. For each 360.degree. rotation of the cutting torch, the pipe contour tracking mechanism induces two-cycle linear oscillation of the torch, thus causing the cutting tip of the torch to be maintained in accurately spaced relation with the surface of the pipe as the torch is revolved 360.degree. about its axis of rotation during the hole cutting operation.

Abstract: Gas cutting of a plate material such as of stainless steel or stainless-clad steel is efficiently carried out by advancing a cutting torch along a mild steel bead formed on the material by melting thereon mild steel using a welding torch. When the material preheated in advance is burnt by directing a jet of oxygen thereto, the mild steel bead on the material effects to elevate the combustion temperature, thereby allowing refractory slag produced in cutting to be fused and blown off by virtue of the jet of oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to follow-up control means in swinging-arm flame-cutting machines comprising a scanning element which is arranged at outer component arm of the swinging arm carrying the cutting torch, and in coaxial relation to the latter and which is advanced by drive means likewise arranged on the outer component arm to follow automatically the contour of a pattern having the configuration of a part to be cut from a workpiece.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a traveling torch comprising a carriage mounted on wheels and adapted to traverse a track; motor and variable speed traction drive transmission for moving the carriage along the track and carried by the carriage with the weight of the motor toward a first side; a torch rack holder for holding a torch, the torch rack holder being carried by the carriage with its weight toward a first side, the torch rack holder being asymmetrically mounted and extending above and across the carriage so as to carry the torch laterally beyond the second side of the carriage; a torch having a body, tip, and respective fuel and oxygen passageways connected with respective fuel and oxygen conduit means for conveying respective fuel and oxygen to respective fuel and oxygen passageways in the torch and flexible fuel and oxygen conduits connected with respective sources.

Abstract: The cutting apparatus is used to cut a hole in a workpiece such as a pipe of relatively large thickness. The burner is mounted on a carriage which is reciprocated along a radially directed carrier which rotates about an axis perpendicular to the carrier. Reciprocation of the carriage is controlled as a function of the rotation of the carrier about the axis. In addition, a cam causes pivoting of the burner in accordance with the reciprocation of the carriage along the carrier. Operation of the apparatus is such that the tip of the burner is held at a constant distance from the surface of the workpiece. A motor is also provided for moving the burner longitudinally of its axis.

Abstract: A spacer and block cutting torch is lowered through the wrapper-to-shell annulus of a removed-top steam generator by addition of vertical sections of hollow-back column by vertical movement of a motorized carriage along a rack-and-guide track extending upwardly from atop the wrapper and manipulation of column clamps, one movable with the carriage and the other affixed to the wrapper, to transfer column weight from carriage to wrapper-top during adding and subtracting column sections. The rearward concave side of the column, held flush with the wrapper wall, readily accepts and serves to enclose operating gas hoses for the cutting torch. Yieldable bias means cooperates with the interior of the generator shell to urge the concave side of the column toward the wrapper.

Abstract: A mechanized truck bolster ring renewal system is described for cutting the worn bolster ring from a truck bolster and for welding a new bolster ring onto the truck bolster. A bolster clamp mechanism is pivotally mounted on a frame and includes means for centering the truck bolster as well as clamping the truck bolster thereon. A hydraulic cylinder is provided for pivotally moving the bolster clamp from a horizontally disposed position to a vertically disposed position. Apparatus is provided for permitting the selective rotation of the bolster clamp and the bolster thereon. A cutting torch is mounted on a horizontally movable arm and is moved in place adjacent the bolster ring. The cutting torch is ignited and cuts the ring from the truck bolster as the bolster clamp rotates. After the worn ring has been cut from the truck bolster, the torch assembly is removed from the horizontally extending arm with a ring mandrel being installed thereon.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, a portable hole cutting apparatus for cutting circular bolt holes in metal plate and the like is disclosed having a base, and a generally upright frame to which is attached a yoke carrying a pair of vertically spaced-apart bearings mounted for rotation in the yoke, and a vertically oriented elongated drive tube journaled for rotation in the bearings. A drive means such as a manual crank, or an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic motor is mounted on the frame and through a reduction gearbox and a chain or belt driving means drives a sprocket or pulley mounted on the top end of the drive tube by means of a chain or belt. Attached to the lower end of the rotatable drive tube is a bracket that rotates with the drive tube. A cutting torch is mounted on a holding bar which is slideably attached to the bracket for permitting the cutting torch to be positioned laterally for varying the radius of the circular holes to be cut.

Abstract: The torch guide comprises a main bar, a pair of work rests dependently mounted on bars which are in turn mounted to the main bar, and a pair of torch clamps which are each dependently mounted on pivots to the main bar. The guide may operate on both flat, and curve work such as pipe.

Abstract: Torch cutting machines of the type embodying a plurality of torches adjustably mounted with respect to a moving conveyor, such that the torches may cut the flange and central web portions of I-beams, structural members and the like. The machine is characterized by the capability of vertically and longitudinally moving the torches upon a pivoted cantilever cutting arm which extends over a cutting area. The cutting torches embody independent vertical and lateral drive means and the cutting arm while in pre-set pivoted mode may be longitudinally and independently advanced with respect to the cutting area, such that complex straight mitre cuts, compound mitre cuts, copes notches and the like may be cut without special handling.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for cutting or shaping material, as by heat-shaping, wherein the outline of a predetermined pattern is copied on the material which is to be worked on by following the pattern with a follower member whose movement is used to control a cutting or heat-shaping tool.A vertically-arranged copying panel to receive the pattern is provided with two horizontal rails and a support which is movable along said rails. The follower member and the tool are mounted on the support and movable in vertical and horizontal directions, respectively, with respect to the support, and the support is movable across the copying panel and material worked on.