JPH012900A - fluid jet cutting device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cutting device that uses a concentrated high-velocity jet of a fluid such as water as the cutting means, and in particular has a high degree of precision and efficiency while reducing the amount of damage the glass is subjected to during the cutting operation. While directed to a fluid jet cutting apparatus for cutting intricate designs and shapes into and/or from sheets of glass with minimal damage, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such cutting. It's not something you can do.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Water jet cutting equipment is well known to those skilled in the art and has been used industrially for many years to cut various types of sheet materials. An example of such a device is British Patent No. 1287
585 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,877,334, 3,978
No. 748, No. 4006656, No. 4092889,
No. 4116097, No. 4137804, No. 4312
No. 254, No. 4501182. These devices typically include a support means for supporting the sheet material to be cut, a nozzle means for directing a high velocity fluid jet to the material on the support means, and a nozzle means for directing a high velocity jet of fluid to the material on the support means, and an air flow between the nozzle and the supported material along two orthogonal axes. and energy dissipation means for receiving the fluid jet and dissipating its energy after penetrating the material being cut. Furthermore, the device includes means for pressing the material against the support so that it does not undergo undesirable flapping or similar movements during the cutting operation, especially when the material to be cut is a flexible fabric or the like. . Fluid jet cutting devices are also known which are equipped with devices that facilitate the introduction of the material to be cut into the cutting device.

In most known fluid jet cutting devices, especially those in which high precision and relatively complex cutting operations are required, the nozzle means is mounted for controlled bidirectional movement along two orthogonal axes. The sheet material to be cut remains stationary during the cutting operation. Since in this type of device the nozzle moves over a large portion of the underlying support means, there are some problems in receiving the fluid jet and dissipating energy from this jet after it has penetrated the material to be cut. One conventional solution is to provide jet receiving and energy dissipating means over substantially the entire area of the support means; see, for example, U.S. Pat.
See No. 254. Another previously proposed solution is to use a slotted support means and an underlying fluid jet receptacle that are aligned with each other and also with an overlying nozzle means, which further facilitates nozzle movement. 4,137,804, 4,092,889 and 3.
See No. 978748. A disadvantage of the "stationary workpiece" Type 0 system is that the cost of maintaining and periodically replacing the fluid jet receiving and energy dissipating components is greater than the cost of maintaining and replacing small, stationary components. The difference in cost between the two is the glass.

This is especially true for fluid jet cutting devices that cut other hard materials. This is because this cutting device usually has fine grained sand, such as garnet, contained within the cutting fluid and the components require frequent maintenance and/or replacement.

A stationary, relatively small fluid jet receiving and energy dissipating means ensures that the nozzle moves along only one of the two orthogonal axes and that the sheet material to be cut lies beneath it along the other axis. Used in fluid jet cutting devices adapted to be moved by located support means. US Patent No. 4
No. 501182 discloses an apparatus of this type, in which the support means consists of a single driven belt or apron, which supports the material to be cut and is longitudinally spaced on either side of the slotted bridge. The device has a running section, the bridging section being below the fluid ejection nozzle and above the fluid receiving and energy dissipating section of the device.

A substantially similar device with two separate article support belts or aprons on either side of an intervening slot is described in British Patent No. 12.
No. 87,585 and in the prior art description of U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,889. The latter US patent points out that this type of device has major drawbacks. Typically, this equipment cannot perform cutting operations with high precision because it is difficult or impossible to advance the 21 workpiece support belts at precisely the same speed and over the same travel distance. As described in this US patent, when the material or item to be cut is rigid and is supported and moved by two separate belts, the speed depends on which belt provides the primary support. changes over time during the cutting operation. A difficult problem is added when the item or material supported and moved by the belt is not only rigid but also has a smooth surface. In such cases, slippage can occur between the belt and the supported item or workpiece and between the belt and its drive member, reducing the accuracy of the cutting operation. °゛The above-mentioned "sliding" drawbacks can be overcome by providing a rigid material that is made up of an additional movable roll that is positioned above the sheet material to be cut and that presses the sheet material down to engage firmly with the support belt located below. can be at least partially removed. This method cannot be safely used when the material to be cut is sheet glass or similar materials. Such materials are not only smooth and hard, but can also be extremely brittle and/or scratchable, thus making them unsuitable for many applications. This glass scratching problem is exacerbated by the fact that particulate garnet or similar sand must be included in the cutting fluid used in the cutting operation.

During the initial stages of each cutting operation, some sand contained within the cutting fluid settles on the top surface of the glass outside the cutting area. If deposited sand is pressed against the glass surface by an overlying roller or belt, especially by a belt that does not advance at precisely the same speed as the glass sheet, it can easily cause scratches or other damage to the glass. It will be done.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a fluid jet cutting device for efficiently and precisely cutting sheets of glass or similar materials without causing breakage or other damage. However, the present invention is not limited to cutting as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a fluid jet ejection nozzle mounted for precise, controlled bidirectional movement parallel to a first of two orthogonal axes, and a glass or similar said object, comprising support means for supporting the sheet of material before and during cutting, and sheet movement means for imparting precise controlled bidirectional movement to the sheet along a second of the orthogonal axes. A fluid jet cutting device is provided that achieves the following. In the preferred embodiment shown, the support means includes two endless belts located beneath the glass sheet and moving parallel to said second axis. However, the movement imparted to the sheet by the sheet moving means is independent of belt movement and is unaffected by changes in the speed of the support belts relative to each other and/or to the glass sheet. Movement of the sheet moving means provides for substantially synchronous movement of the seat support belts, primarily to minimize scratches or other damage to the glass sheets. Desirably, to preserve the appearance of the glass and avoid inadvertent breakage of the glass, this cutting device does not require an overlying roll, apron, or other member that engages the glass and exerts a disproportionate normal force. will be further helped by Additionally, the fluid ejection nozzle is preferably shaped to minimize the possibility that sand particles within the fluid may damage the top surface of the glass by reflecting off the nozzle.

In a preferred embodiment, the sheet moving means includes a plurality of clamp members that engage the edges of the glass sheet.

The cutting apparatus of the present invention preferably includes means for receiving and properly positioning the glass sheet prior to transfer to the sheet support means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The illustrated fluid jet cutting device IO is particularly suitable for cutting sheets of glass or other materials that are susceptible to rupturing, scratching, or similar damage, or that have complex cutting edges. or other shapes. The principal components of apparatus 10 are shown in FIG. 1: a pair of longitudinally extending, spaced apart endless belt assemblies 1;
2.12' and sheet support means having an intervening bridging structure 14; sheet moving means, which means a pair of movable sheet gripping assemblies 16.2' for moving the glass sheet longitudinally of the device and parallel to its central axis; 16'; nozzle means 18. The means are movable along an axis perpendicular to said central axis for ejecting a high velocity jet of fluid and particulate material contained therein against a portion of the glass sheet lying on the bridging structure 14; Fluid jet receiving means in the form of a tank-like member 2o below the structure 14; and an optional sheet receiving means for receiving and positioning the glass sheet for subsequent movement at the appropriate time towards the cutting area of the device. - Positioning means 22 is illustrated.

In addition to the components described above, the device further includes mounting means for mounting the movable components of the device for movement along an intended path of travel; drive means for moving said members along said path; valves; It has various other controllable mechanisms such as actuators, clutches, etc.

These controllable components of apparatus 10 are collectively indicated by block 24 in FIG. As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2, the controllable member 24 receives control inputs from and is controlled by a computer or similar controller 26. The controller receives input data from a variety of sources, typically including a computer program, a manual keyboard, an encoder, and means for monitoring the position and/or condition of the various movable members of the device. , safety or limit switches, etc. As an important function, the controller 26 coordinates the relative orthogonal movement of the nozzle means 18 and the glass sheet G being cut, so that extremely complex shapes can be cut into and/or from the sheet with very high precision. Eggplant.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the seat support means assembly 12 includes an endless apron or belt wrapped around a drive roll 32, a tension roll 34, and a seat support means bridging structure 14. A third roll 36 is included. The horizontally extending upper run of assembly 12 rests on and is movable in two directions with respect to a rigid support platform 38 (FIG. 5) connected to and forming a frame portion of apparatus 10. . Assembly 12' on the opposite side of bridging structure 14 is substantially the same as assembly 12, and corresponding parts are therefore designated with like numerals followed by a prime sign. The top surfaces of the belts 30, 30' and the top surface of the bridging structure 14 lie in the same horizontal plane. Fluid jet receiving slot 40 extends between the ends of bridging structure 14 perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of device 10 . A portion of bridging structure 14 has a plurality of holes extending therethrough on either side of slot 40, and below said portion is a manifold 42 (FIG. 5) connected to a suitable source of compressed air (not shown). . During operation of the apparatus 10, compressed air is ejected upwardly through said holes, as indicated by the vertical arrows in FIG. Vertical support.

During operation of the device IO, the cutting fluid discharged by the nozzle 18 and the particles contained therein pass downwardly through the sheet being cut and then into and pass through the slot 4o of the bridging structure 14. The fluid and particulate material are then received in an underlying tank 20 that is connected to or, as shown, integral with the bridging structure. Although not shown, tank 20 typically contains suitable structures and/or materials to dissipate the kinetic energy of the fluid and other materials therein, and to slosh the fluid and other materials therein. A suitable outlet (not shown) is provided through 40 for continuous or periodic removal from the tank.

Figures 1.3-7.16-18 show fluid ejection nozzles 18
, indicating the associated installation and drive means. Nozzle 18
The upper end receives pressurized fluid and particulate material contained therein from a suitable source (not shown).

The nozzle is mounted above and in alignment with the slot 40 of the bridging structure for bidirectional controlled movement from one end to the other. Bracket 46 is used to install the nozzle.
, which slides along a pair of support rods 48 fixed above the seat support means by beam-like frame members 50, 52 extending horizontally and vertically, respectively. Suitable bearings supported by said frame members are fixed for rotational movement in two directions about a central axis by a reversible drive motor 56 fixed to one of the vertically extending frame members 52 and drivingly connected to a screw 54. A long and thin ball screw 54 is installed in the hole.

Screw 54 passes through bracket 46 and bearing 58 and drives a nut 60 (FIG. 18) secured to the bracket. Rotation of screw 54 causes controlled movement of bracket 46 along screw 54 and support rod 48.

Suitable monitoring means (not shown), such as a rotary encoder operatively connected to the drive shaft or screw 54 of the drive motor 56, generates a signal that is received by the controller 26, which is supported on the bracket 46. Allows the precise position of the nozzle 18 to be determined continuously or at any desired time. A proximity limit switch 62 (FIGS. 6 and 18) provides a stop signal to the controller 25 and/or motor 5 when the bracket 46 tends to advance too far due to a failure.
Elongated bellows-shaped enclosures 64 are connected to opposite sides of the bracket 46 and extend outwardly from the ends of the travel path of the bracket 46 to communicate with the rod 48 and the screws 54. is shielded from exposure of the fluid and any sand or similar particulate matter contained therein, said material being a glass sheet G to which the nozzle 18 directs the fluid jet.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, there is a possibility that the blade may spring upward, especially at the beginning of the cutting operation.

If the lower part of the nozzle 18 has the same outer diameter as its upper part,
A large amount of particulate matter bouncing upward from the glass G strikes the lower end face of the nozzle and is deflected downward to strike portions of the sheet surface on either side of the intended cutting location. This results in the glass surface being pockmarked or otherwise damaged. In order to eliminate or at least reduce this drawback, nozzle 1
The lower free end of 8 is tapered and terminates in an end face with an outer diameter much smaller than the outer diameter of the rest of the nozzle.

In order to better adapt to glass sheets of various thicknesses,
Nozzle 18 is connected to main bracket 46 by a vertically movable auxiliary bracket 66. The vertical position of the bracket 66 and therefore of the nozzle 18 is varied by rotation of a wheel 68 connected to a screw 70 (FIG. 17.18) passing through a threaded vertical hole in the bracket 66.

Nozzle 18 and bracket 66 are removably held in the desired adjusted vertical position by spring-loaded clamping means 72 shown in FIG.

Optional seat positioning and support means 22 of apparatus 10 are
．． 6, 7. Shown in Figures 13-15. The support means includes - a row of horizontally extending spaced apart rollers 74 mounted by means of frame members on either side of the device 10 and suitable bearings (not shown) for rotation about a central axis; . The row of rollers extends to the adjacent end of the seat support belt assembly 12', with its upper surface being in the same plane as the upper surface of the upper run of the belt 30'. Sheet positioning assembly 76 is mounted on the right side of the row of rollers 74 (number 7.13) for adjustable movement parallel to the rollers by a downwardly extending support portion 78.
(as shown in the diagram) nearby. Said support part slides under the rollers 74 in the longitudinal direction of a support bar 80 fixed to the frame of the device 10. The support portion 78 is a removable clamp 79
and this clamp fixes said support part in position on the rod 80. Rod-shaped main portion 8 of assembly 76
2 has a fixed stop element 84 extending laterally and vertically at one end, the main part of which is fixed to the upper end of the support part 78 so as to move synchronously at a height above the rollers 74. Bar 8
2 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device IO, and the stop 80 is perpendicular to this axis. A plurality of pushers 86, 86', 94 are slidably mounted on the bar for adjustable longitudinal movement. Said devices include clamps 88, 88', 9, respectively.
6, the rod 82 is removably locked at a desired position in the longitudinal direction. The devices 86, 86', 94 are pneumatic piston-cylinder type actuators 90, 90', 100, respectively.
including. Pusher 86.8 on the rod member of actuator 90.90'
6' engages an adjacent longitudinal edge of the glass sheet G on roller 74 at spaced apart locations along the length of this edge. The pusher 98 of the endmost device 94 is pivotally connected to the body of the device and to the rod of the actuator 100. Pusher 98 normally occupies the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 15, into which pusher 98 and actuator 100 are retracted. When the actuator 100 is extended, the pusher 98
is rotated to the extended position shown in imaginary lines in FIG. 15 and in solid lines in FIG. During this movement, pusher 98 engages the leading edge of glass sheet G and moves the sheet rearwardly until the trailing edge abuts stop 84 on positioning assembly 76. In this way, the desired longitudinal position of the sheet G is set.

The desired lateral position of the glass sheet is set by extension of actuator 90.90' of device 86.86'. In this way the pusher 92.92' holds the glass sheet G laterally, with its longitudinal edge forming the assembly 16.1 of the sheet moving means of the device IO.
Move it until it engages the component 6'.

These and other elements of the sheet moving means of apparatus 10 are shown in FIGS. 1.4.6-13. As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of support rods 102 and a ball screw 104 extend parallel to each other along the length of apparatus 10 on the side remote from seat positioning assembly 76. As shown in FIG. Each of the rods and threaded members is non-rotatably fixed to the frame of the device. Sheet gripping assemblies 16,16' are slidably mounted on rod 102 in longitudinally spaced relation.

The assemblies 16, 16' are interconnected for synchronous movement by a strut 106 extending therebetween. This rod is removably connected to the respective assembly by removable clamping means 108, 108'. Adjustment of the spacing between the assemblies 16, 16' is accomplished by opening any one of the clamps, allowing relative movement between the assemblies in the desired direction, and then re-securing the clamps. This adjustment is normally only needed and performed when the length of the glass sheets cut by the device IO varies significantly. The movement of rod 102 and stationary ball screw 104 is shown in FIG.
This is done by means of a drive means supported by the This drive means has a reversible drive motor 109, the output shaft of which is connected by a timing bell (110) to a pole nut (H12) mounted on a bearing (113).
4, and moves in its longitudinal direction in response to this rotational movement. The drive device described above is preferred over a device in which rotation is imparted to a ball screw rather than a ball nut. This is because in the latter arrangement the driven ball screw of screw 104, which is of considerable length, is subjected to whipping movements which are detrimental to the precise operation of the drive output.

Movement of the assembly 16 imparts movement to the rollers 74 and belts 30, 30' of the apparatus 10 through the input drive connection when desired. A rigid rod 114 (FIGS. 1 and 13) interconnects the driven assembly 16 with an endless chain 11B that spans end sprockets 119, 120 and tensioning sprockets S. Sprocket 120 connects drive roll 3 of seat support assembly 12
2 on a shaft 124 connected by a clutch 126. Sprocket 11B is secured to a shaft 125 that is drivingly connected to drive roll 32' of the seat support assembly. On the opposite side of the device 10, the extension of the shaft 125 is connected by a clutch 127 to the sprocket 12B. The chain 130 includes a sprocket 128, a tensioning sprocket 132, and a plurality of driven sprockets 34 fixed to each of the rollers 74 of the sheet receiving and positioning means of the apparatus 10.
Pass it on. As a result of their driving connection, the seat support belt 30 moves in response to longitudinal movement of the assembly 16 of the device 10
' moves, and when the respective clutches 126, 127 are engaged, the belt 30 and roller 74 move. Load support assembly 1
2. From 12' friction drive and chain as well as roller 74
Since it is difficult, if not impossible, to eliminate all movement and similar movements from the chain drive of However, the linear velocity of the assembly 16, 16' may vary somewhat. However, this speed difference (if it exists) does not reduce the precision of the cutting operation in any way. Its accuracy depends in large part on the precision of the longitudinal motion imparted to the sheet when cutting. This is because this movement of the sheet is reliably controlled during the cutting operation by the assembly 16, 16'.

In particular with respect to the above, each assembly 16, 16' has sheet gripping means which grip adjacent longitudinal edges of each sheet G introduced into the device 10 and align precisely with said assembly. to restrain the seat from moving. The gripping means of the two assemblies are the same and thus cooperate with assembly 16. , only those shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 will be explained. The sheet gripping means of the assembly 16 has two cooperating pairs of upper clamping jaws 136, 136' and lower clamping jaws 138, 138', which are spaced apart and aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction of the device 10. . The lower jaws 138.degree. 138' are attached to the inner ends of the opposing side portions 140.degree. 140' of bracket l-142. Joe 13
8.138' has an alignment surface or "stop" in the middle of its length.
It has a shoulder forming a surface 144, 144'. The upper clamp jaws 136° 136' are located on and span the side portions 14 of the brackets 142 (148).
6.146' is supported at the inner end. Adjacent side parts of the two brackets 136, 146 and 136', 14
6' are pivotally connected to each other by a pair of parallel links 150°150'. The side portions of bracket 1-142, 148 are pivoted by pins 15L 151', which extend through the uppermost of links 150, 150' to the inner end of support arm 152.

Arm 152 is pivotally connected to upright frame member 156 of assembly 16 by pin 154 . A counterweight 158 attached to the outer end of the arm 152 balances the weight of the components connected to the front of the arm and balances the weight of the components connected to the front of the arm.
8 and the clamp jaws "float" about the axis of pin 154 and remain in any position until they are securely moved therefrom. Although the upper and lower jaws of each pair are in a vertical position, the links 150.150
' are kept parallel to each other.

Assembly 16 has a pair of actuators of the pneumatic piston and cylinder type. Cylinder of actuator 160 (Figs. 10-12)
is fixed on the frame of assembly 16 at a location below one counterweight 158. When the actuator 160 is extended, the counterweight rotates and moves the clamp jaw of the assembly into the twelfth position.
Lower it to the position shown in the diagram. In this position, the horizontal plane of the lower surface of the glass sheet G resting on the roller 74 (FIG. 1) is slightly above the horizontal upper surface of the lower jaw 138, 138' and is pierced by the vertical stop surface 144, 144' of the jaw. be done. The other actuator 162 of the assembly 16 has a cylinder member connected to the top of the lower jaw bracket 142 and its bar member connected to the top of the upper jaw bracket eye 48. When the actuator 162 is extended, the upper clamping jaw 136.13
6' and lower clampji =! -138, 138' move away from each other to the fully open position shown in FIG. When the actuator is retracted, the jaws move toward each other and engage the upper and lower surfaces of the edge portion of the glass sheet G located between them (see FIGS. 9 and 10). Due to the "floating" mounting of the clamp jaws, the closure of these jaws does not impose unbalanced normal forces on the seat. Such forces, if present, could break the seat or cause other damage. will be given.

The operation of the device 10 will now be described. A glass sheet G, as shown in FIG. 6, is placed on rollers 74 in the receiving portion of the apparatus. If not in a properly adjusted position, the lateral position of assembly 76 and the longitudinal position of pushers 92,92', 98 are adjusted to accommodate the particular lateral and longitudinal dimensions of sheet G. The assembly 16,16' returns to the "°start" position shown in FIG. 6 and the jaws are moved to the lowest, fully open position. These operations will be performed if they have not been previously performed. The pusher 98 of the locating assembly 76 operates to place the sheet G against the stop 84 of the locating assembly to precisely set the position of the sheet G in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus 10. The pusher 98 is retracted and the pushers 92.92' are actuated to move the sheet G laterally so that its edge is in the assembly 16.
16' and is moved until it is received between the open clamp jaws and engages the alignment or stop surfaces of the lower jaws of those jaws. The clamping jaws of assembly 16.16' then close onto said edge portion of sheet G and grip it firmly. Assembly 16.16' moves longitudinally to longitudinally displace sheet G from rollers 74 onto sheet support assembly 12.12' and bridge section 14. Roller 74 is driven by clutch 127 (FIG. 1) during movement until sheet G has completely passed. Thereafter, the clutch 127 in the roller drive train is disengaged. This allows other sheets of glass to be fed onto rollers 74 at convenient times during operation of apparatus 10. Bell of assembly 12.12') 30.30'
continues to be driven substantially in synchrony with and by the assemblies 16, 16' while the sheet G is cut by the fluid jet emitted from the nozzle 18. During the cutting operation, the computer controller 26 synchronizes the longitudinal movement of the assembly 16.16' and thus the sheet G with the transverse movement of the nozzle 18 to produce the desired shape of cut in the sheet G. The accuracy of the cutting operation is greatly increased by ensuring the longitudinal movement imparted to the sheet G by the assemblies 16, 16'. The accuracy of this movement is independent of "play" in the drive chain, slippage between the load-bearing belt and its drive rollers, slippage between the load-bearing belt and the load supported thereon, etc.

The cutting of the glass sheet G is completed, and it is assembled into the assembly 16, 1.
6' to the final position on the assembly 12, the assembly 16.16' and thus the assembly 12.12'
Stop the movement of the belt and open the clamp jaws of the assembly and move them to their lowered position. The clutch I26 (FIG. 1) associated with the drive of the assembly 12 is deactivated and the cut glass sheet G is placed on the belt 30 of the assembly 12 during the movement of the assembly 16.16' back to its original starting position. to stay there. As soon as the assembly 16.16' reaches the starting position, a new glass sheet is moved into the clamping jaws of the assembly 16.16' by means of the pusher of the positioning assembly 76 and the working cycle as previously described is carried out. Start. Clutch 126 is reactivated when N,l body 16.16' begins to move a new sheet of glass from rollers 74 into support assembly 12'. As a result, the previously cut glass sheet on assembly 12 is displaced longitudinally from the free outer end of the assembly.

A bellows-type enclosure 64' similar to said enclosure 64 preferably cooperates with mounting and driving means for the assembly 16.16'.

In view of the fact that the glass sheet is moved in the longitudinal direction of the device 10 by the assembly 16.16' and not by underlying support means, the belt-type support assembly 12.12' 10 bridging parts 14
It may also be replaced by air-bearing support means similar to the support means associated with. However, if the sheet to be cut is of fairly large size, the cost of producing a correspondingly large air bearing increases.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned matters, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the right side of the fluid jet cutting device of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the computer-type control means of the device, a portion for sending control data, and a portion for receiving control signals; FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial elevational view of the outlet end of the fluid discharge nozzle of the device, showing a portion of the glass sheet and support means thereunder in cross section; FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the left-hand portion of the device; 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1 showing adjacent ends of the two seat support belt assemblies and associated components; FIG. 6 is a top view of the apparatus; 7 is an end view of the apparatus in the direction of arrow 7 of FIG. 4, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional, elevational view of one seat transfer assembly along line 8--8 of FIG. 7, with associated Figure 9 shows the internal members of the seat moving assembly, other members,
FIG. 10 is an inverted side view of the sheet moving assembly and other components of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a partial elevation view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 9; 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the members in different working positions; FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the members of the sheet receiving means and sheet moving means of the apparatus; Figure 14 shows the seat positioning assembly at arrow 14 in Figure 13.
15 is an enlarged top view of the seat positioning device of the seat positioning assembly of FIG. 13; FIG. 16 is a fluid discharge of the device; Figure 17 is a rear view of the nozzle and its installation and positioning members; Figure 17 is an inverted view of the nozzle and adjacent members;
18 is a view taken in vertical section along line 17--17 of FIG. 6, and FIG. 18 is a view taken along line 18 of FIG.
-18 is an enlarged partial cross section and top view. 10... Fluid jet cutting device 12, 12'... Endless belt assembly 14... Bridging structure 16, 16'... Movable sheet gripping assembly 18... Nozzle means 24... Controllable Member 26...
・Controller 30.30'...Belt 32
... Drive roll 36 ... Third roll 3
8... Support platform 40... Fluid jet receiving slot 48... Support rod 54... Screw 56...
... Reversible drive motor 64 ... Bellows type enclosure 6
6... Bracket 74... Roller 78.
...Supporting part 82...Bar 84...Stopping element 86.86', 94...Press tool 8
8, 8B', 96... Clamp 92.92'
, 98... Push tool 100... Actuator 1
02...Support rod 104...Ball screws 108, 108'...Clamping means 109...Drive motor 110...Timing health l-112...Pole nut 11440. Bar 126.127...
・Clutch 130...Chain 136, 136', 138.138'...Clamp short 14.144'...Vertical stopping surface 150, 150'...Link 156...Frame member 160...Operation Applicant for patent: Creative Glassworks International Inc. Soto-2g-12

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. Support means for supporting a glass sheet during cutting, nozzle means for emitting a fluid jet against said supported sheet, along a first of two orthogonal axes; mounting means for mounting said nozzle means for movement with respect to said sheet; and sheet movement means independent of said support means for moving said sheet parallel to a second of said orthogonal axes. A cutting device that cuts a glass sheet or the like using a high-speed fluid jet. 2. said sheet moving means includes at least one sheet gripping assembly, mounting means for mounting said assembly for precisely controllable movement parallel to said second axis, and said moving means for said clamping assembly; 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising drive means for causing the. 3. The gripping assembly includes clamping means for engaging an edge of the sheet and mounting means for mounting the clamping means so as to float parallel to a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising: 4. The assembly driving means includes a ball screw extending parallel to the second axis, a ball nut installed to rotate around the screw and move in the longitudinal direction thereof, and for causing the rotation. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, including motor means coupled to said ball screw for movement in the longitudinal direction of said screw. 5. The seat moving means moves parallel to the second axis with a second gripping assembly installed by the assembly installation means, and adjusting the position of both gripping assemblies relative to each other. and adjustable interconnection means for interconnecting said assemblies for synchronous movement with each other. 6. each said gripping assembly includes a first pair of cooperating clamp jaws and a second pair of cooperating jaws, said pairs of clamp jaws being spaced apart in the direction of said second axis; 6. The device according to claim 5. 7. Each said gripping assembly is configured to substantially simultaneously move said cooperating jaws of each said pair towards each other and substantially simultaneously to move said cooperating jaws of each said pair away from each other. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, including an actuator for simultaneous movement. 8. Each said gripping assembly includes means for mounting each of said pair of cooperating clamp jaws so as to float substantially parallel to a third axis perpendicular to said first and second axes. The device described. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each said gripping assembly includes an actuator for moving said cooperating jaws of each said pair a desired number of times in synchrony with each other in a direction parallel to said third axis. 10. The fluid jet ejected by the nozzle means comprises a solid particulate material such as garnet sand, and the nozzle is tapered to reduce the diameter near the end from which the fluid jet and the solid particulate material are ejected. There is,
3. A device according to claim 2. 11. The seat support means includes an immovable seat support member;
2. The apparatus of claim 1, including air bearing forming means for forming an air bearing between said sheet and said member. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said support member has a perforated wall and said air bearing forming means has a compressed air manifold located below said wall. 13. said perforated wall of said support member has a slot extending generally parallel to said first axis for receiving fluid discharged from said nozzle means after passing through said sheet;
13. Apparatus according to claim 12. 14. said support means includes endless belt assemblies, said assemblies disposed proximate and on opposite sides of said immovable support means, each substantially identical to said perforated wall of said immovable support means; 14. The device according to claim 13, having an in-plane belt run. 15. The apparatus of claim 14 including support drive means coupled to and driven by said sheet movement drive means for moving said belt runs relative to each other and generally in unison with said sheet movement means. 16. The support drive means includes a clutch means which can be engaged and disengaged, and when the clutch means is disengaged, one of the belt running sections is kept stationary while the other running section is moved. The device described. 17. sheet receiving and positioning means for receiving and positioning the sheet prior to reception by said support means, said sheet receiving and positioning means having stop means for precisely aligning said sheet with respect to one said axis; 16. The apparatus of claim 15, including an adjustable positioning assembly. 18. Claim 17, wherein said positioning assembly includes a pusher for engaging said stop means and a sheet adjacent thereto.
The device described. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sheet positioning assembly includes an additional pusher for moving an adjacent sheet into engagement with the sheet moving means. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the sheet moving means includes at least one clamping jaw having a stop surface for engaging the sheet moved by the additional pusher.