JPH0546601B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The background of the invention will be explained in two parts.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a record groove forming apparatus, and more particularly to a record groove forming apparatus for forming lead-in and lead-out tracks on a master record or master tracker.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Record records having generally spiral grooves for tracking by a phonograph stylus are used in a variety of sound reproduction devices, both electrical and mechanical.

Phonograph records are used in various toys. This record has interleaved tracks. Each track has a separate lead-in groove around the periphery of the record disk, in contrast to conventional phonograph records. In this conventional record, essentially a single spiral track is formed on the surface of the desk. Each record is separated from the next by a separate lead-in track of a different pitch, coextensive with the lead-out track of the previous record. In any case, such a record desk is formed by a suitable record device.

Each song or phrase is recorded in the grooves of these toys. When forming a master disk for such records, prior art techniques have involved forming interleaved spiral grooves in the master disk. Lead-in and lead-out grooves are then manually cut into the master lugs. These grooves require precision to ensure proper operation of the toy or device.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,649,847, issued to Mr. Nightinghall on November 22, 1827, discloses an apparatus for recording audio. This device uses a heated recording needle. This needle contacts the recording surface and forms a helical groove therein.

Another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,595,795, issued to Mr. Kovach on May 6, 1952, and entitled "Spiral eccentric groove cutter for use in phonograph records, etc."
This device is adapted for coaxial mounting with the record being grooved.

Granted to Mr. Goldmark on July 1, 1963,
U.S. Patent No. 1 entitled "Desk Recording and Playback Apparatus"
No. 3,420,967 discloses another device. The system records information on the desk for less than the playback time. It is also equipped with electronic filter means to aid in increased recording speeds.

Granted to Mr. Pradervand on September 24, 1974;
Another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,656, entitled "Chip Removal During Mastering of Microgrooved Disks." The device includes a hot air source and an adjacent chip collector. This collector removes debris generated during cutting.

Another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,528,665, issued to Mr. Redlich on October 15, 1974, and entitled "Method and Apparatus for Cutting Grooves in the Surface of Recording Masters." This device is directed to the use of cutting needles in such a way as to completely remove the original surface of the desk.

Another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,194, issued to Mr. Clemens on October 15, 1974, and entitled "Information Records and Recording/Reproduction System Therefor." The recording medium disclosed in this patent includes a metallized base material with a dielectric coating with a capacitively responsive needle system.

Another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,517, issued to Mr. Clemens on September 30, 1975, and entitled "Disk Record with Non-Constant Groove Depth." This patent is an improvement on the Clemens patent discussed above.

U.S. Patent No. 3, entitled "Mechanical Record Cutting Method," awarded to Mr. Knothe et al. on February 3, 1981.
No. 4,248,438 discloses another device. This device provides a needle for electromagnetically cutting grooves into the copper coated metal surface of the master desk at a needle cutting angle of 10 to 20 degrees. This device is adapted for coaxial mounting with the record being grooved.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved record cutting device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved computer numerical control system for forming a master desk or master tracker.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved record cutting apparatus that is capable of precisely cutting lead-in and/or lead-out grooves in interleaved spiral record grooves.

The above objects of the invention are achieved by a record groove forming device comprising a table with a vacuum source for holding a master lacquer, the table having a portion with a disk-shaped recording section. The rotary table can be precisely positioned in all directions of the planes of the table as well as in directions perpendicular to them. The vertically adjustable arm has a turret head. This turret head is equipped with multiple heated sapphire cutters. The dimensions of these cutters vary. Each cutter is positionable in a predetermined position. The arm is adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the table. This allows the depth of the cut to be changed.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described using the accompanying drawings. First, refer to FIG. The master lacquer 20 includes a first recording section 22 and a second recording section 24 formed thereon. Each of these recording parts 22 and 24 has a lead-in groove 22a to 2 which extends outward in a spiral shape.
2l, 24a to 24l. These grooves are oriented counterclockwise. Each of these recording units 22 and 24 can accommodate up to 40 interleaved tracks, but for the sake of explanation only 12
A groove is provided. Master Lutzker 20 is an aluminum desk with Lutzker coating.
In this example, a number of small records are mastered to a common desk or tracker 20 for replication to be made to others. The lead-in grooves 22a to 22l and 24a to 24l are
A short, shallow groove 0.025 to 0.1 cm (0.01 to 0.04 inch) deep. These grooves must be accurately placed and accurate in length, depth, and cut angle.

The outer circumference of the recording section 22 defines the outer edge of the recording section with the audio track. Inner circle 28 is a deep lead-out groove. This groove is essentially the internal boundary of the track containing the recorded information. This deeply cut, single lead-out groove 28 can be replaced by a series of lead-out grooves formed in the same manner as lead-in grooves 22a-22l. There is a radially extending segment 30 which is an index mark for the first recording groove from which the lead-in groove 22a extends. This mark is formed radially inward of the lead-in groove 22a and inward of the lead-out groove 28. Although not described in detail, the recording section 24 has a similar shape and is arranged. These two recording sections 22 and 2
The fundamental difference with 4 is in the information recorded on its audio track. Further, other recording portions can also be formed on the master lacquer 20. Only two of them are illustrated here.

Recording units 22 and 24 have audio tracks. Although not shown, these tracks are "interleaved" with each other. The beginning of each audio track is at the periphery, between lead-in grooves 22a and 2.
It matches one of 2l. Although the ends of the entire audio track are shown terminating in run-out or lead-out grooves 30, it is of course possible to terminate in individual lead-out grooves.

In the audio playback mechanism using these recording units,
High precision is required for the positioning, contour, length, depth, and shape of the lead-in groove. Each recording section 22
and 24 are precisely positioned relative to the index mark 30. Although the index mark 30 is not shown in the recording section 24, such mark is similarly provided in radial alignment with the first lead-in groove. Regarding the required precision, its diameter is 3.75 to just over 10 cm, and the 40 interleaved audio tracks are recorded 1.25 to 2.5 cm radially outward of the desk. Each of the twelve lead-in grooves 22a-22l shown must be precisely spaced every 30 degrees and must be aligned with one of the audio tracks. Similarly, each of the 40 grooves is spaced every 9 degrees. The audio track section between the outer periphery 26 of the first recording section 22 and the lead-out groove 28 may actually be pre-recorded on the tracker in any desired manner, for example by a master cutting race, or
engraved. The lead-ins 22a to 22l are engraved using a device to be described later. In the past, these lead-in grooves were cut by hand.

As shown enlarged in FIGS. 2 and 3, there are two audio tracks 32 and 34, and a lead-in groove 2.
2a is ultimately connected to an external audio track 32. The portion 36 in parentheses is the portion cut or cut by the improved record cutting device of the present invention. As understood from Fig. 3, the groove 3
6, one side 35a has a different angle from the other side 36b. The side portion 36a has an angle of 30° with respect to the vertical direction.
b has an angle of 60° with respect to the vertical direction.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the groove 36 extends inwardly from its end in a spiral manner and then turns in a peripheral direction to join the external audio track 32. The width of the groove 32 decreases towards the beginning of the audio track. Therefore, it is necessary to raise the cutter at this point to provide the necessary transition.

Although the master lacquer 20 of FIG. 1 has offset recording sections 22 and 24, it is possible to position the recording section in the center of the lacquer 20 for large recordings. Master Lutzker 20
The standard diameters are 25cm, 30cm, and 35cm. The device described below readily adapts to such dimensions. In such lacquers, the periphery is generally thicker than the center, and this difference in thickness is on the underside of the lacquer. Although two such small registers, such as registers 22 and 24, are shown, a master tracker typically has six such registers, all of which are centered on a common radius. That is, the centers of each recording section 22 and 24 are at the same distance from the center of the tracker 20.

The apparatus for cutting lead-in grooves 22a-2l is shown in FIGS. 4-7 and is an improvement on a computer numerically controlled (CNC) milling machine specifically configured for record cutting.

As is known in the art, CNC milling machines can be controlled with suitable digitally recorded media, such as perforated paper tape, magnetically recorded tape. This control ensures that a desired cut is made accurately in a given surface, such as a metal block. this is,
This can be done on any of the three axes: X, Y, and Z axes.
In such machines, a table is used to hold the workpiece. The movement of this table in the X, Y, and Z axis directions with respect to the cutting tool is controlled. In such a device, four-dimensional control can be performed by positioning or angularizing the table in the rotational direction.

According to the invention, the basis for the improvement is 433 N. Fair Oaks Avenue Pasadena,
Servo Products with address in California
Model manufactured and sold by Company#
It is a 7501 mini milling machine. The basic machine includes a four-axis servo rotary table and associated electronics. The normally provided motor-driven milling head has been removed.

As discussed below, in the basic machine, the Z-axis arm has a turret suspended above it at the workpiece location. The turret has a plurality of heated sapphire cutters that can be individually set to cutting positions. Electrical means are provided to control the heating of the cutter.
This arm also supports the vacuum dust collection tube. There is a vacuum plate attached to the rotary table to hold the master lacquer. The rotary table is then attached to a servo-controlled mechanical table. In this way,
The lead-in groove 22 can be formed by any combination of X, Y, and Z, that is, the angle of the master tracker 20.
Cutting can be carried out as desired along the contours a to 22l. A binocular microscope 212 and a high-intensity light source are provided.

Please refer to FIGS. 4 to 7. The device is base 4
0. The base is preferably formed of heavy cast iron with the required machined surfaces. A column member 42 extending upward is fixed to the base at the center of the rear thereof. Posts 42 are generally perpendicular to the plane of base 40. Posts 42 are similarly made of heavy material, such as cast iron, which is suitably milled as required.

Base 40 has a generally planar upper surface 40a. Preferably, this surface is machined with large tolerances. On top of that, a Y-axis table 44 is placed.
It is slidably mounted via a suitable gear system for movement in the axial direction, ie from the front to the back of the base 40. In order to restrict rearward movement of the Y-axis table 44, a downwardly hanging plate member 45 is provided at its front end. This plate member 45
is a Y-axis stop member hanging below the bottom surface 44a of the Y-axis table 44, and abuts against the front end of the base 40, thereby restricting the rearward movement of the table 44.

The upper surface 44b of table 44 is cut into a flat surface and slidably receives an X-axis table thereon. The table 46 is suitably controlled via a suitable gear system for movement in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the Y-axis table 44. As is well known in this field,
Tables 44 and 46 are coupled to each other and to base 40 by suitable means, such as a tabtail arrangement. A tabtail member interconnects the base 40 and the table 44 and extends generally from the front to the rear with respect to the base 40. The tab tail connecting members of tables 44 and 46 extend from side to side relative to base 40.
Although not shown, high precision positioning servo motors are connected to tables 44 and 46 to allow movement in the X and Y directions.
Appropriate electronic circuitry is provided to energize the motor with great precision in response to digital inputs from the digital control medium. The control medium includes stored digital information, perforated paper tape or magnetic signals on tape or desk.

The substantially L-shaped plate member 48 has leg portions 48a. The legs are secured to the X-axis table 46 with suitable fasteners such as cap screws 50.
The leg portion 48b is located at the front end of the X-axis table 46.
It extends upward in a direction perpendicular to a. To accommodate such precision machinery, member 48 is constructed from a heavy material such as 1.25 cm steel with precise dimensions. A journal support member 52 is clamped to the leg portion 48b. The member 52 has an open framework structure with a plate portion 52a. Plate member 52a
is adapted to be attached to leg portion 48b by any suitable means. Such means include a nut/bolt assembly 54 and a cap screw. The yoke portion 52b extends substantially perpendicularly to the plate portion 52a. Upper edge 52c of yoke portion 52b
has a cut surface.

Yoke portion 52b is configured to receive a generally cylindrically configured journal assembly indicated generally at 60. The assembly includes a cylindrical housing 60a. Housing 6
0a has a lower end surrounded by a plate member 60b. The plate member 60b is fixed thereto with a plurality of cap screws 61. A bearing or journal member 60c is supported at the upper end of the housing 60.
Member 60c includes an enlarged circular flange 60d. Flange 60d supports a rotary table assembly indicated generally at 64 thereon. Strap member 53 interconnects housing 60 and L-shaped plate member 48. This strengthens the support. Although not shown, a suitable precision servo motor cooperates with the table 64 to provide rotational positioning of the table assembly 64 in accordance with signals generated by the electronic circuitry.

The machine described so far has a table assembly 6
Except for 4, the above mentioned servo products are the basic parts of CNC mini mill. The table is equipped with a mini-mill but modified to provide an offset position for the lacquer 20 with added vacuum means as described below.

Improvements have been made to this basic device, including the following: That is, the arms generally indicated by the table assemblies 64 and 66, the arm support brackets 68,
A control means for controlling the heating of the turret assembly generally instructed by 70 and the cutter of this assembly 70. To apply a vacuum to table assembly 64, housing 60a is sealed to act as a vacuum chamber. Housing 6
The front part of 0a is a vacuum fitting 6 connected to the pipe system.
Equipped with 0e. This tubing is ultimately coupled to a vacuum source. The housing 60a is sealed with a journal 60c. Housing 60a has an axially extending hole through which vacuum is applied to table assembly 64 through its center.

Please refer to FIGS. 5 to 7. Arm support bracket 68 is movably mounted to support column 42 via suitable gearing means. As a result, the bracket is moved relative to the support column 42 in the Z-axis direction. The upper end of the bracket 68 is provided with a Z-axis stop plate 69. This stop plate 69 is adapted to abut against the upper end of the column 42 at the lower movement limit point of the bracket 68. An upwardly directed U-link 68a is provided at the forward end of the bracket 68, and one end of the arm 66 insetly receives a support plate portion 66a therein. Arm 66 is attached to U-link 68 with bolts 74. The bolt 74 connects the U-shaped link 68a and the plate portion 66a.
passing through aligned holes.

The arm 66 is directed upwardly and outwardly toward the front of the base 40 with a free end 66b and is adapted to overlie the table assembly 64. The direction of the extension of the arm 66 is a direction that substantially bisects the plane of the base 40 along a line connecting the front part to the rear part. The free end 66b is provided with a vertically extending tapered bore 66c which receives therein a tapered shaft 70a which supports a turret assembly 70. axis 7
0a has a threaded upper end that receives a nut 71. This allows the shaft 70a to be connected to the hole 66c.
It is stuck to. Key member 70b engages a vertical slot at shaft 70a and an aligned slot at hole 66c to fix the position of shaft 70a relative to arm 66.

The lower end of the shaft 70a is a turret bracket 70c.
is tightly coupled with. Portion 70c is in a fixed relationship to shaft 70a. Bracket 70c is attached to stationary portion 70d of the turret housing. This housing has a cylindrical opening 7
0D, and the opening lies in a plane offset at an angle from the axis of shaft 70a. Rotatable turret head 7
Of is rotationally coupled to opening 70e. The head 70f has a plurality of heated sapphire cutters 78, 79 (only two of which are shown here) fixed to the head 70f. Each cutter has a different size and configuration to provide the required cutting or cutting of the master lacquer 20. In some examples, cutters such as cutters 78, 79 can be identical to improve cutting action. With two identical cutters on turret 70, when one is making a cut, turret 70 can be manually rotated to position the other cutter of the same configuration. cutter 7
8, 79 are each angled to the turret head 70f so that the axis of each cutter is perpendicular to the plane of the rotary table assembly 64. Two cutters are shown, but the turret head is 70f.
An additional cutter can be attached to the. A metal slip ring 80 surrounds the turret head 70f. Electric lead wire is ring 80 and cutter 7
8 and 79 are interconnected. Electricity is applied to the spring brush 81. Brush 81 is in constant contact with ring 80, thereby providing the necessary electricity to the cutter.

The structure of the rotary table assembly 64 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12. The assembly 64 includes a lower table top 80 (FIGS. 8-10) and an upper table top 82 (first
1 and 12). Each of these tops is disk-shaped and has the same diameter. The diameter is just under 40cm, and the thickness is about 1.1cm.

Before the detailed explanation, a brief explanation will be given. The lower table top 80 includes a plurality of interconnected channels. Upper table top 82 has a plurality of openings extending therethrough. These openings are generally aligned with the channels of the lower table top 80. Another opening connects the two tops 80 and 82 to each other (FIG. 4), as well as the connection of the lower table top 80 to the rotating flange 60d. The two joined table tops 80 and 82 communicate the vacuum path with the channel means and the upper table top 8.
The vacuum openings at 2 provide a means for securing the master lacquer 20 to the table assembly 64.
Vacuum is received through a central opening 93 in top 80. Bushings are provided to index and align the two tops 80 and 82.

Please refer to FIGS. 8 to 10. The lower table top 80 has a milled surface and is generally desk-shaped. Moreover, its thickness is almost uniform, approximately 1.1 cm. There are two sets of four open holes, each extending through the top 80. The first set of holes has equiangularly spaced holes 85-88 adjacent the periphery. Radically and inwardly, a second set of holes is provided around a common periphery of approximately one-half the radius of the lower table top 80. A through hole 93 is formed in the center of the top 80. A set of four equiangularly positioned open holes 95-98 are provided through the top 80 and adjacent the central through hole 93. A second offset through hole 94 is diametrically horizontal and to the left of the top 80 as viewed in FIG. Either through hole 93 or 94 receives a bushing to provide centering for master lacquer 20 when secured to table assembly 64.

Apertures 95-98 are exposed in the upper surface. This is to allow the cap screw to pass through and secure the lower top 80 to the flange 60d (see FIG. 4). Similarly, two sets of openings 85 to 8
8 and 89 to 92 are exposed on the bottom surface. This is to allow the cap screw to pass through and connect to the upper table 82 (see FIG. 5).
Dowel pinholes 99a and 99 are provided to aid in indexing and alignment of table tops 80 and 82.
A pair of b are provided. This is opening 86 and 87
is located inside. These holes are adapted to partially receive dowel pins (not shown), and the dowel pins are partially received in aligned openings in the upper table top 82.

A plurality of interconnected channels are formed on the top surface of table top 80. These channels are generally designated by 100, and each part is marked with a suffix. As mentioned later,
The channel parts communicate with each other, and the top 8
They end at a common point in the middle of 0. At this end point, a central opening or hole 93 is connected to a vacuum source.
Vacuum extraction takes place via. An opening 100a is provided around the periphery. The opening 100a extends along a line substantially parallel to the diameter. On this line is a channel section 100b with a narrowed channel section 100c receiving therebetween a check valve 83 which acts as a regulator for the vacuum. The channel portion 100a continues inward on a line and forms a certain angle with respect to the through hole 93. Adjacent to the central portion of the top 80 is a circular channel portion 100d. This is concentric with the through hole 93. Channel parts 100e, 100f,
100h and 100i extend radially outward. All channel sections are channel section 10.
0d, 100b, and the further narrowed channel portion 100c and channel portion 100a are interconnected.

The intersecting channel portion 100b includes a short channel portion 100j and a long channel portion 100k, and the long channel portion has channel portions 100m and 100k at both ends thereof, each having an angular inclination.
It has n. A short channel portion 100g is provided as a branch of the channel portion 100k at the diameter of the top 20. As shown in FIG. 9, the channel portion 100d is a shallowly rounded groove. The various portions of the channel means 100 are arranged and configured to provide optimum vacuum to that portion of the table assembly 64 in which the master lacquer 20 is located.

11 and 12, a top view of the upper table top 82 is illustrated. Top 8
2 is shown aligned with the lower table top 80 of FIG. Top 82 is configured to be positioned on top of lower table top 80. For ease of explanation, the opening in top 82 for interconnecting with the opening in top 80 is 1.
The same number is added to 00 and used. For example, opening 85 in lower table top 80 is adapted to align with threaded opening 185 in upper table top 82. The interior set of exposed openings 85-88 in the lower top 80 are aligned with the threaded openings 185-188 in the top 80. The outer set of exposed openings 89-92 in lower top 80 are aligned with threaded openings 189-192 in top 82. Similarly, top 80 dowel pinhole 9
9a and 99b have corresponding parts 99a and 199b of the top 8. Additionally, bushing members 193 and 194 of top 82 are positioned and configured to engage openings 93 and 94 in lower table top 80. With the exception of bushings 193 and 194, the apertures in top 82 described herein are partial holes that extend partially into the lower surface of top 82 and further accommodate threaded shafts such as cap screws. It is threaded to accept it. See, for example, aperture 191 in FIG. 12 in this regard.

To facilitate understanding of the assembly of the two tops 80, 82, channel means 100 are depicted in dotted lines on the upper table top 82. This dotted line illustration is not meant to illustrate the structure on top 82, but is for explanation of reasons that will be understood later.

As briefly mentioned above, the upper table top 82 includes a plurality of openings extending in alignment with various portions of the channel spiral means 100. These apertures are designated 105 to 130 and, as can be seen in FIG. 10, all apertures communicate with some channel portion of the channel means 100. Its outline is indicated by a dotted line. 1st
As can be seen in Figure 2, such apertures, such as aperture 126, extend completely through top 82.

Closed end bushing 193 connects upper top 82
is attached to the center of the This engages the opening 93 in a snap-fitting manner at the center of the lower top 80. Although not shown, the same can be said of offset bushing 194 and opening 94.

The two tops are when 80 and 82 are combined,
The top assembly 64 is illustrated as in FIG.
The vacuum is adapted to be controlled over a predetermined portion of the.

In use, master lacquer 20 is positioned against the upper surface of upper table top 82, either at its center or to the left of center. The center of lacquer 20 is approximately at the center of either bushing 193 or 194. 10th
As shown in the figure, to hold the lattice car 20,
Most of the vacuum openings are on the left half of the upper table top 82. To help retain the lacquer 20, this surface of the upper table top 80 is
It is provided with circular and arcuate shallow groove means as generally indicated by . The groove means 101 first has a concentric circular groove 101a. Groove 101a has a bushing 193 at its center. The groove means 101 has two arcuate grooves 101b and 101c. These grooves are circular arcs with bushings 194 in their centers. These grooves 101 are shaped and dimensioned to receive the thick edges of the master lacquer 20. As previously mentioned, the exemplary 25 cm master lacquer 20 is centered on the bushing 193 and the radius, width, and depth of the arcuate groove 101a is such that it receives a thick periphery therebeneath. . 30
For 35 to 35 master lacquers 194, their centers are aligned with the offset bushings 194 and the grooves 101c or 101b are adapted to receive the thicker peripheral lower surface.

Means is provided for selectively blocking portions of the vacuum channel 100 to aid in holding masters of different dimensions. To this end, a check valve 83 is provided as shown in FIG. 8 and operatively positioned within channels 100a-100c. As shown, valve 83
has a neck 83a with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the narrowed channel portion 100c.
One end 83b of valve 83 has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of channel 100b, and its length is sufficient to intersect and block the junction of channels 100b and 100k. With valve 83 in the outer position of FIG. 8, vacuum is drawn out of hole 93 through all channels 100. When valve 83 is pushed inward, channels 100h, 100k, 100
The vacuum for m, 100q is blocked.

25cm master lacquer 20 is central block 1
93, valve 83 is pushed inward to block vacuum to the outermost channel. This provides maximum vacuum to retain lacquer 20 on table assembly 64. 30 or 35
When the lacquer of cm is centered on offset block 194, all vacuum paths are opened by pulling valve 83 to the external position of FIG.

In normal use, a small master lacquer 20 is used when the recording section is larger. The racker is centered on block 193 of table assembly 64. The record at the true center, recorder, master tracker 20, and table assembly 64 all rotate about the center.

When small records 22 and 24 are desired, a large master tracker 20 is used and positioned in the offset butting 194 to separate the records 22 and 24.
The center of 4 moves radially the same distance from the center of lacquer 20. The radial distance from the center of the recording portions 22, 24 corresponds to the distance from the center of the bushing 194 to the center of the bushing 193. Thereby, the true center of each recording section 22, 24 is placed at the true center of the table assembly 64. In this manner, rotation of the table assembly 64 causes the small recording sections 22, 24 to rotate about their respective centers.

Please refer to FIGS. 5 to 7. The record cutter is shown fully assembled and mounted on a very sturdy surface such as a "butcher block" table 200. It is also equipped with a control box, control panel, and auxiliary equipment. As shown in FIG. 6, the base 40 of the device is attached to a table 200 at its left end. Control box 202 is attached to yoke 52. The yoke 52 moves together with the Y-axis table 44. Control box 202 has a switch that can be pressed. This switch is
Allows for "jogging" of the table assembly 64, ie, increasing angular positioning of the table assembly 64 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in response to an instantaneous manual depression of the jog switch.

Similarly, control box 72 controls X-axis table 46.
can be attached to. Table 46 is equipped with "jog" switches on its front and sides. The front switch of FIG. 6 is for X-axis movement and the side switch of FIG. 5 is for Y-axis or "jogging" movement. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, a Z-axis control box 204 is secured to a bracket 68 to provide "jogging" along the Z-axis as needed. That is, by manually operating the switch, arm 6
6 position, and then the vertical position of the heated sapphire cutters 78, 79,
control for the surface of 4.

The plate member 206 is secured to the table 200 by bolting or the like at the lower end of the approximately L-shaped suspension arm. The free end of arm 208 is generally perpendicularly aligned with turret assembly 70. A rotating support member 210 that rotates about a vertical axis is suspended from the free end. A binocular microscope assembly 212 rotatable about a horizontal axis 214 is coupled to support member 210 . These two axes allow the operator to precisely position the microscope to view the master lacquer 20 during formation of the lead-in structure, ie, for inspection. Additionally, the microscope assembly 212 can be moved out of the passageway for positioning or removal of the master lacquer 20.

Please refer to FIG. Adjacent to the cutter 78 is a black line 220. This line is connected to a suction or vacuum source to remove chips and the like while the master lacquer 20 is being cut. Extending from the housing 60 is another black line 2
There are 22. This line is a vacuum path that connects vacuum from a vacuum source (not shown) through openings in vacuum fitting 60e, vacuum chamber 60a, and journal 60c to table 64 and channel 1.
Give to 00. Control cabinets 224 and 226
is attached to the table 200, and the cabinet 224 is connected to the cutter 7 via a black lead wire 225.
It houses an electrical device that controls the heating of 8. Cabinet 226 contains the necessary equipment to digitally control the device in various directions. In other words, this cabinet 226 is a CNC control panel.

In addition to these devices shown, high intensity light sources can be used. If this light source is used, the surface of the master lacquer 20 can be well illuminated. Although not shown, a suitable digital reader can be used to enable use of the system. These include magnetic or perforated tapes. Illustratively, control cabinet 226 contains a magnetic tape preload element. Instructions from the tape are stored in such elements for operation of the device. However, these do not form part of the present invention.

According to the invention, by using the precise positioning capabilities of a computer numerically controlled milling machine,
The master lacquer 20 is firmly held on the tape assembly 64, and the X, Y, and Z axis directions are A record cutting device can be used to precisely control the movement and even the angular position of the lacquer 20. Thereby, the lead-in grooves 22a to 22l of the recording section 22 (similar grooves of the recording section 24) can be precisely cut. This cutting is as precise as the angular position, length, and depth of the periphery of each recording portion 22, 24.

Although this embodiment has been described as a preferred embodiment,
The invention can be modified in various ways within its gist.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a master lacquer with a recording section having a lead-in groove cut thereon by a record cutting device according to the invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the recording section of the master tracker shown in FIG. 1, and is for explaining the lead-in groove thereof. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view of the record cutting device of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a side view of the device of FIG. 4;
3 shows a surface-supported device with other items used in conjunction therewith. FIG. 6 is a front view of the record cutting device of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the record cutting device shown in FIG. 4. Figure 8 is the 4th
Figure 3 is a plan view of the lower plate used to form the table top of the illustrated device; FIG. 9 is a view of the right end of the lower plate taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 8, with a portion shown in cross section. Figure 10 is line 1 in Figure 8.
0-10 is a view of a portion of the left end of the lower plate; FIG. 11 is a plan view of the top plate used to form the table top of the apparatus of FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 12 is a view of the right end of the top plate along line 12--12 of FIG. 11, with a portion shown in cross section. Explanation of symbols, 40...Base, 44...Y-axis table, 46...X-axis table, 64...Rotating assembly, 64, 66...Arm, 70...Turret assembly, 80, 82...Top , lower table top.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. a base; a first table secured to the base for movement in a first direction relative to the base;
a second table secured to the first table for movement in a direction perpendicular to the first table; and an angular position setting coupled to the second table for movement therewith. accurately positioning the first and second tables relative to the base and accurately angularly positioning the third table relative to the second table; a predetermined length, at a preselected location relative to a previously recorded recording portion of a master record desk or recorder comprising processing means;
A cutting device for forming a groove of a predetermined shape, comprising arm means coupled to the base, and positionable in a direction close to the third table and substantially perpendicular to a plane of the third table. cutting means on said arm means; and one of at least two positions on said third table to enable positioning of the center of said recording portion in substantially proximate relation to said cutting means. means on said third table making it possible to hold an approximately disk-shaped master lacquer means having a center; the position of said cutting means; the corner position of said third table; said second table for making it possible to carve a groove of a predetermined depth at a preselected position with respect to said prerecorded recording on said master lacquer means according to the positioning of said second table; means responsive to the processing means for enabling the setting of the angular position of the third table and for enabling the movement of the cutting means in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the master raker means. cutting equipment. 2. A combination according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for retaining said master lacquer means on said table means comprises vacuum means. 3. A combination according to claim 2, wherein said table means comprises a disk-like table means having opening means for applying a vacuum to retain said master lacquer means. 4. The cutting means comprises turret means having a plurality of cutting means thereon, said turret means being rotatable for positioning a given cutting means for cutting said master lacquer means. The combination according to claim 3. 5. The arm means includes a post member, a bracket member, and an arm, the post member being secured to the base substantially at right angles thereto, and the bracket member being slidable relative to the post member. Claim 4, wherein the arm has one end fixed to the bracket member and the other end suspended from the plane of the desk-like table means. combination. 6. Said desk-like table means has an upper and a lower desk-like table member of substantially the same shape and are connected to each other, said lower member having an upper surface thereof for forming a channel connectable to a vacuum source. Claim 5 further comprising channel means formed therein, said upper table member having opening means in communication with said channel means for vacuum bonding said master lacquer means. Combinations listed in section. 7. A combination according to claim 6, characterized in that the cutting means is an electrically heated cutting member, and the device further comprises means for applying electrical energy to the cutting member. 8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the cutting member is a heated sapphire cutting member. 9. A combination according to claim 4, characterized in that the turret means comprises at least two cutting members having different shapes. 10. The combination of claim 9, wherein each of the cutting members is an electrically heatable member and the apparatus further comprises means for applying electrical energy to the cutting members. 11. The combination of claim 2 further comprising valve means for selectively controlling the vacuum to predetermined portions of the third table. 12. The combination of claim 6 further comprising valve means for selectively blocking predetermined portions of said channel means. 13 a base, a first table secured to said base for movement in a first direction relative to said base, and said first table for movement in a direction perpendicular to said first table; a second table affixed to said second table; a third table coupled to said second table and capable of setting an angular position; said first and second tables relative to said base; a cutting device for forming a groove of a predetermined length and a predetermined shape at a preselected position with respect to a previously recorded recording portion of a master record desk or recorder; a third table coupled to said second table and moving therewith; said third table being angularly positionable; said third table having a channel means formed in said surface thereof; and a second disk-like member of substantially the same size overlaying the first disk-like member, said second disk-like member having an aperture extending therethrough. , said aperture is aligned with said channel means, thereby applying a vacuum through said channel means and said opening means to hold a master lacquer means on said third table; coupled arm means; a cutting means proximate to said third table and positionable on said arm means in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said third table; and a cutting means proximate to said third table; capable of holding a generally desk-shaped master tracker means having its center in one of at least two positions on said third table to enable positioning of the center of said recording section in relation to said third table; and means on the master lacquer means according to the position of the cutting means, the corner position of the third table, and the positioning of the first and second tables. responsive to said processing means to set the corner position of said third table in order to make it possible to carve a groove of a predetermined depth at a preselected position on said prerecorded recording portion; and means for enabling movement of the cutting means in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the master lacquer means. 14. The cutting means includes a turret means having a plurality of cutting means thereon, the turret means being rotatable for positioning a given cutting means for cutting the master lacquer means. The combination according to claim 13. 15. The arm means includes a post member, a bracket member, and an arm, the post member being secured to the base substantially at right angles thereto, and the bracket member being slidable relative to the post member. 14. The arm according to claim 13, wherein one end of the arm is fixed to the bracket member, and the other end is suspended from a plane of the desk-like table means. combination. 16. The combination of claim 14, wherein the cutting means is an electrically heated cutting member and the apparatus further includes means for applying electrical energy to the cutting member. 17. Claim 1, wherein the cutting member is a heated sapphire cutting member.
The combination described in Section 6. 18. A combination according to claim 18, characterized in that the turret means comprises at least two cutting members having different shapes. 19. The combination of claim 18, wherein each of the cutting members is an electrically heatable member and the device further comprises means for applying electrical energy to the cutting members. 20. The combination of claim 13 further comprising valve means for selectively blocking predetermined portions of said channel means.