Patent ID: 7641741
Filing Date: 2010-01-05
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
1. A method of machining plates made of hot-roll steel, the method comprising: flame-cutting a plate-like work piece from an enlarged sheet of hot-roll steel, including flame-cutting a plurality of notches in a perimeter of the work piece, and wherein the work piece defines generally planar opposite upper and lower side surfaces, each notch defining notch surfaces extending between the upper and lower opposite side surfaces; supporting the work piece on a bed of a machine tool by positioning support members in the flame-cut notches in contact with at least a portion of the notch surfaces, the support members including first support surfaces contacting the lower side surface of the work piece, and second support surfaces contacting the bed of the machine tool to thereby support the work piece on the bed with the lower side surface spaced apart from an upper surface of the bed; securing the work piece to the bed of the machine tool; machining a machined locating feature in the upper surface of the work piece adjacent and opening into each of said flame-cut notches; releasing the work piece from the bed, reversing said work piece so that said upper side surface faces downwardly, and said lower side surface faces upwardly and supporting the work piece on the bed with said support members positioned in said flame-cut notches, and with the lower side surface facing upwardly with the first support surfaces of the support members contacting the upper surface of the work piece; each said support members including a protrusion, having the configuration of said machined locating feature; positioning said work piece with said machined locating features seated on said protrusions to thereby precisely locate the work piece on the bed of the machine tool.