Patent ID: 7270505
Filing Date: 2007-09-18
Classification: B23C,B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A cutting tool and mounting system, comprising: a tool carrier arranged to be mounted onto a workpiece and having at least one flexible track element configured to be attached to a surface of a workpiece; a cutting tool assembly carried by the tool carrier, said cutting tool assembly including a cutting tool arranged to be rotated about a longitudinal axis and a tool driving system connected to and arranged to transmit rotary input motion to the cutting tool, the cutting tool being secured by the tool driving system to be fed along its axis of rotation and transversely of its axis of rotation for cutting a workpiece through a wall thickness of the workpiece; and at least one tracking assembly connected to the cutting tool assembly and arranged to follow the contour of an outer surface of the workpiece; wherein the tracking assembly comprises: a tracking assembly housing including at least two shafts spanning the height thereof; a support member having opposed first and second ends, the support member defining a longitudinal slot extending along a longitudinal axis of the support member, and at least two through holes extending along the longitudinal axis of the support member, each of the shafts of the housing extending through a corresponding hole of the support member such that the support member is slidably mounted within the assembly housing; a tracking element mounted at the first end of the support member; and a plurality of springs biasing the support member against the tracking assembly housing in a direction such that the tracking element is oriented away from the tracking assembly housing.