Patent ID: 8443704
Filing Date: 2013-05-21
Classification: B23C,B23Q,B29C,G02B,G05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of forming adjacent longitudinally-extending features or grooves in a cylindrical workpiece, comprising the steps of: (a) forming, beginning near a first end of the workpiece, an initial portion of each feature or groove with a fly-cutting head having one or more continuously rotating cutting elements; and (b) forming subsequent portions of each feature or groove with the fly-cutting head during successive revolutions of the workpiece while the workpiece is rotating, the subsequent portions being substantially aligned with the initial portion of each feature or groove, the subsequent portions being formed progressively closer to a second end of the workpiece, wherein the initial portion is formed by one pass of a first one of the continuously rotating cutting elements of the fly-cutting head, wherein the subsequent portion is formed by one pass of the first one of the continuously rotating cutting elements or another one of the continuously rotating cutting elements of the fly-cutting head, wherein the initial portion and the subsequent portion each has a beginning and an end, wherein the initial portion and the subsequent portion each has a radius of curvature between the beginning and the end corresponding to a cutting radius of the fly-cutting head used to form the initial portion and the subsequent portion, wherein the initial portions of the features or grooves formed near the first end of the workpiece are all relatively sharper than all the subsequent portions of the features or grooves formed closer to the second end of the workpiece.