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 lightweight remote controlled carriage apparatus having a frame means composed of a first frame member and a second frame member interconnected by a transverse frame member having a transverse frame member axis; the transverse frame member having a pivot point intermediate a first transverse frame member end and a second transverse frame member end allowing rotation or pivoting, about the axis, of the first frame member relative to the second frame member. Wheel frame means extending orthogonally from the first frame member and the second frame member toward a surface. The wheel frame means receiving remotely controlled motor driven magnetic wheels. The magnetic wheels having a middle plate having at least one magnet on at least one side received into a recessed pocket; at least one outer plate on each side of the middle plate. The middle plate having a circumference providing a traction means.

Abstract: A carriage for guiding a cutting, beveling or welding torch on the surface of a metal work piece has a chassis which is transported along a main path on the work piece by a magnetic wheel assembly driven by a reversible motor mounted on the chassis. A rack and pinion assembly mounted on the chassis is driven by another reversible motor mounted on the chassis to transport a torch holder along a path perpendicular to the main path. A remote controller electrically connected to the drive motors is manually operable to simultaneously permit forward or backward transport of the chassis, right or left transport of the holder and variation of the angular velocity of the chassis motor and the rack and pinion motor so as to accurately trace any cutting path on the work piece with the torch. The elevation of the torch above the work piece and the angle of incidence between the torch and the work piece are manually adjustable.

Abstract: A carriage assembly is shown for moving equipment for testing or other functions along a wall surface. The carriage assembly includes a main frame for supporting the equipment in relationship to other equipment and to the wall surface, and a sub-frame that supports service lines such as wires and hoses, while isolating loads created by moving the service lines with the carriage from the main frame and the mounted equipment and providing an unobstructed field of view of the subject area under examination. Wheels mounted on the carriage assembly for providing the interface with the wall surface include fixed position wheels and adjustable wheels to compensate for irregularities along the wall surface. At least one of the fixed position wheels or the adjustable wheels are magnetic for holding the carriage against a ferrous or magnetic wall surface.

Abstract: A remote controlled welding and cutting carriage, with an automated positioning arm, to facilitate welding and cutting of flat and curved surfaces including plate and pipe without the use of track, band or similar carriage positioning or guidance mechanisms. Multiple motor driven precision ground magnetic wheel sets align and propel the carriage across a surface. Precision maintenance of magnetic wheel position is facilitated by use of spring steel axles which resist distortion from impacts. A separate magnetic wheel set alignment adjustment is provided to correct magnetic wheel set positioning. The system of motor driven magnetic wheel sets permits the carriage, or carriages, to transport cutting and welding materials required for welding and cutting around the complete circumference of a pipe or other surface regardless of orientation or slope.

Abstract: In a torch cutting machine for thermally cutting hot elongate members which are conveyed horizontally at a varying speed or with a varying direction of movement, a torch-carrying carriage is movable parallel to and with the elongate member during the cutting operation, by virtue of a clamping means engaging the elongate member. A protective hood is disposed in the direct vicinity of the elongate member, beneath the machine, for the purposes of protecting it from heat and radiation. The hood moves synchronously with the machine or elongate member in the cutting operation, and the hood has apertures through which the torch and the clamping means extend.

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: An apparatus for performing a work function on a tubular workpiece includes a support frame movable along an X-axis, a bracket on the frame movable toward and away from the workpiece along a Z-axis, a support arm mounted on the bracket for movement about a swival axis lying in the Z-direction, a carriage mounted on the arm for movement therealong in a Y-direction, a workpiece implement mounted on the carriage for movement together therewith and about a tilting axis lying in the X-direction, and the workpiece implement being capable of adjustment along its central axis, the support arm lying in a plane containing the swivel axis and perpendicular to the tilting axis.

Abstract: A radius attachment is provided for use with a conventional welding or cutting torch carriage incorporating a segment of the guide rail carrying a drive means and balancing means, the drive means being driven by the drive of the torch carriage and a connection from the guide rail segment to a pivot point adjustably controlling the radius of rotation.

Abstract: A cutting tool carrier for holding a plurality of cutting tools, each tool requiring certain utilities to operate. The carrier includes a body, a plurality of tool holders pivotally mounted within the body and each adapted to receive a cutting tool, first pivot means enabling the body to be rotated about the axis of a first tool holder, second pivot means for rotating each of the remaining tool holders within the body, control means for transmitting control signals for the second pivot means through the first tool holder, said control means operative continuously regardless of any motion between the first tool holder and the body, and utility means for transmitting tool utilities first through the first tool holder, then through the body, and then through each of the remaining tool holders, said utility means operative continuously regardless of any motion between the tool holders and the body.

Abstract: Single or ganged cutting torches for steel plates preheat the center of each hole to be cut prior to any displacement of the torches. On completion of the preheating, the torches are laterally repositioned in correspondence with the common radius of the holes to be cut. Simultaneously, the torches begin to cut and motive means initiates and maintains circular movement of each of the torches commensurate with the circumference of the holes to be cut. Positioning means for locating each of the torches in the X-axis and for translating the torches en masse in the Y-axis are disclosed. Means for accommodating bowing of the steel plate along with means for setting the torches to cut various diameter holes at any bevel angle are described.

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: A cutting machine for severing a moving strand portion includes an elongated support; the strand portion normally moves near the support in one direction of elongation thereof, and a carriage may be operably moved on the support in the one direction and in an opposite direction. A cutter is disposed on the carriage, and the movement of the carriage is synchronized with that of the strand by a rotatable roll in operative driven relationship from the strand. The rotation of the roll is selectively converted into a translatory motion of the carriage, so that the strand may be cut by the cutter, while it is moving in synchronism therewith.

Abstract: A spot welding machine comprising a pair of vertically spaced-apart guide rails rigidly supported on a framed structure a distance from the ground, a slide member slidably mounted on the guide rails, and a robot arm structure having a housing pivoted at an upper pivot point of the slide member, and outer and inner shafts axially movable as a single piece along the longitudinal axis of the housing, the inner shaft being rotatable about the longitudinal housing about which the inner shaft is rotatable. An electrode holder is attached to the forward end of the housing for unitary axial movement with the outer and inner shafts and for unitary rotation with the inner shaft to vertically swing an electrode tip attached thereto. A fluid operated telescopic cylinder is pivotally connected between the lower pivot of the slide member and a forward end portion of the housing for pivoting the robot arm structure at a desired angular position.

Abstract: A cantilevered transverse arm is mounted for movement along both a longitudinal and transverse axis. The outer end of the arm is adapted to be disposed over a metal slab to be cut and carries a tool assembly which is adjustable thereon. A guiding assembly is fixedly mounted to the arm and includes a pair of longitudinally spaced guide rollers positioned so that the cutting tool is disposed in a transverse plane extending between the rollers. Each roller is individually shiftable into and out of engagement with the slab edge. Initially, the leading roller is advanced toward the slab edge, while the trailing roller is retracted. The rollers are then moved toward the slab edge until the leading roller engages the said edge ahead of the slab corner. As the entire device moves longitudinally along the slab, the leading roller is retracted while the trailing roller moves into engagement with the slab edge. Deformed slab corners are thereby bypassed by the tool guidance system.

Abstract: Sheet plate is cut with a carriage having an elongated support rod journalled therein for linear movement along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod. The carriage is propelled in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod. One end of the rod is provided with working means while the other end of the rod cooperates with an elongated guy so that the rod is carried by said carriage in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rod while the work means maintains a fixed position parallel to the guy.

Abstract: An improved flame cutting machine for modifying a railway car by trimming or burning to specific shapes or patterns portions of the longitudinally spaced plate members or gussets which form part of the side sill structure of the car. Adjacent to each side sill is a beam carried by a support structure. The beam supports a cam structure which extends the length of the car. A carriage which rides on the cam structure, supports a torch apparatus mounted on a frame which may be pivoted into position adjacent the gusset to be trimmed.

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: Disclosure is made of a machine in which, according to the invention, a tool carriage is mounted on the crossbeam for rotation in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the crossbeam. A rod rigidly coupled with a cutting torch is mounted on the tool carriage. This rod is fixed on the crossbeam for rotation and longitudinal reciprocation in a plane parallel to the axis of the crossbeam.