Patent ID: 9011051
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: B23C,B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A milling apparatus for cutting desired contours into a workpiece, the apparatus comprising: a head configured to be carried by a milling machine that is configured to move at least one of the head and a workpiece to be machined in such a way that relative motion is imparted between the head and the workpiece in a direction of cut; first and second spindles supported on the head for rotation about parallel spaced-apart spindle z axes and comprising respective rotary cutters adapted for use in machining operations; a rotary head positioner configured to be operatively connected between the head and the milling machine and to rotate the head about a head axis; a stagger controller is connected to the rotary head positioner and is configured to provide a desired cut swath in the workpiece by commanding the rotary head positioner to rotate the head as required to achieve a spindle stagger angle that will provide the desired step distance between spindle paths; and a first spindle z axis actuator operably connected to the first spindle and configured to move the first spindle along the first spindle z axis.