Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for end cutting and cut grooving a cylindrical pipe section, which includes a support frame, and a plurality of rollers adapted for positioning and gripping the pipe section for cutting and grooving portions thereof in fixed predetermined relation with respect to the frame. A chamfer cutting tool is arranged for cutting at least portions of the end of the pipe section to a predetermined shape, the chamfer cutting tool being positioned at a predetermined location with respect to the frame. A groove cutting tool is mounted for cutting a groove in the outer surface portion of the pipe section, the groove cutting tool being positioned at a predetermined location with respect to the frame. Means is included for providing relative rotation between the frame and the pipe section to permit the chamfer cutting tool and the groove cutting tool to cut the pipe section. A method of cut grooving and chamfering the pipe section is also disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for simultaneously cut grooving and chamfering a cylindrical pipe section. The invention also relates to a method for cut grooving and chamfering the cylindrical pipe section.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Present day conduit systems are generally formed of pipe sections, elbows, or the like which are connected to each other by specifically designed couplings. The couplings often require specifically sized pipe sections, elbows, or the like, and in addition, require specifically dimensioned grooves and chamfers to accommodate the connections.  
           [0005]    Accordingly, devices to provide grooves and chamfers in pipe sections for such conduit systems are known. However, to date, such devices have not been provided with the capability to simultaneously cut groove and chamfer a pipe section with a relatively uncomplicated structure, yet having the versatility to select either cut grooving or chamfering, while having the ability to perform such operations on workpieces of various sizes without the need to change the device.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,253 to Wagner relates to a tube chamfering device which includes a chamfering tool having a cutting edge which corresponds to the chamfer angle desired. The tool is positioned within the tube to be chamfered and rotated and pushed in the axial direction to chamfer the end of the workpiece. U.S. Pat. No. 2,634,643 to Kroos relates to a pipe grooving tool which is arranged to support a pipe section to be cut by a groove cutter which moves radially inward while the tool is revolved about the workpiece. Each tool is adapted for a workpiece of a specific size.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,828 to Piatek et al. relates to a pipe groover which includes a series of inner and outer support rollers and a radial groove cutting tool. U.S. Pat. No. 1,256,556 to Hedges relates to a pipe cutting and grooving machine which forms a groove in a pipe section with a radially movable groove cutter, while cutting and removing the end of the pipe section. The pipe end cutting device is a cutting tool which rotates on its own axis while being rotated about the workpiece, whereby the workpiece is actually cut by the rotating cutter and the edge of the section removed therefrom has a bevelled configuration. The bevel formed in the piece removed is a relatively high angle bevel, i.e. about 60°to the axis of the pipe section, as compared to the relatively shallow chamfer required in modern day pipe coupling connections.  
           [0008]    Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,247,743 to Frost et al. relates to a pipe cutter which utilizes a rotating toothed cutter. We have invented an apparatus for cut grooving and chamfering a cylindrical pipe section which is relatively uncomplicated, utilizes generally radially inwardly movable cutters, while being rotated about the pipe section. The apparatus of the invention provides the capability of selecting one or the other cutting operation without adversely affecting the cutting procedure selected.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The invention relates to an apparatus for end cutting and cut grooving a cylindrical pipe section, which comprises a support frame, means for positioning and gripping the pipe section for end cutting and grooving portions thereof in fixed predetermined relation with respect to the frame, end cutting means for cutting at least portions of the end of the pipe section to a predetermined shape, the end cutting means being positioned at a predetermined location with respect to the frame. Groove cutting means is provided for cutting a groove in the outer surface portion of the pipe section, the groove cutting means being positioned at a predetermined location with respect to the frame. Means is provided for providing relative rotation between the frame and the pipe section to permit the end cutting means and the groove cutting means to cut the pipe section. Preferably the end cutting means is a cutting tool mounted and arranged for generally radial movement toward and away from the pipe section to cut a chamfer into the end of the pipe section. Preferably the groove cutting means is a cutting tool mounted and arranged for generally radial movement toward and away from the pipe section and the means for positioning and gripping the pipe section is a plurality of grip rollers selectively movable toward and away from the pipe section for gripping the pipe section.  
           [0010]    In the preferred embodiment, the grip rollers comprise at least two rollers positionable against the inner surface of the pipe section and two rollers positionable on the outer surface of the pipe section. However, the invention may be practiced with one roller on the inner surface and one roller on the outer surface, or various combinations of rollers on the inner and outer surfaces as may be required in each instance.  
           [0011]    The two rollers positionable on the outer surface of the pipe section are mounted to a cross member extending transversely to the axis of the pipe section and movable toward and away from the pipe section respectively to grip the pipe section and to release the pipe section, and at least two grip rollers positionable against the inner surface of the pipe section each have a frusto-conical configuration. The chamfer cutting tool is attached to a threaded rod member movable toward and away from the pipe section, and the groove cutting tool is attached to a threaded rod member movable toward and away from the pipe section. One frusto-conical roller is attached to a rotational drive member to rotate the roller. With the pipe section held fixed, as for example, in a vise, the rollers and the frame will rotate around the pipe section when the rotational drive member is rotated and the cutting process proceeds. The rotational drive member includes a drive nut attached thereto which is rotatable by rotational engagement therewith by a nut driving member, and the transverse cross member is attached to a threaded rod member movable toward and away from the pipe section, the threaded rod member having a drive nut attached to one end thereof for rotatably driving the threaded rod member with a nut driving tool. The chamfer cutting tool has a cutting stop associated therewith to prevent chamfer cutting past a predetermined depth, and the groove cutting tool has a cutting stop associated therewith to prevent further groove cutting past a predetermined depth.  
           [0012]    A method is disclosed for cut grooving and chamfering a cylindrical pipe section on a support frame having means for positioning and gripping the pipe section in a manner which provides relative rotation between said support frame and the pipe section when at least one of said gripping means is rotated, comprising, providing end cutting means for chamfer cutting at least portions of the end of the pipe section to a predetermined shape, the end cutting means being positioned at a predetermined location with respect to the frame and having means to bias the end cutting means toward the pipe section when the frame is mounted on the pipe section. The method further comprises providing groove cutting means for cutting a groove in the outer surface portion of the pipe section, the groove cutting means being positioned at a predetermined location with respect to the frame and having means to bias the groove cutting means toward the pipe section when the frame is mounted on the pipe section, and providing relative rotation between the frame and the pipe section to permit the end cutting means and the groove cutting means to progressively cut the pipe section under the bias forces. Preferably the end cutting means is a chamfer cutting tool, and the groove cutting means is a groove cutting tool. The method may be practiced by simultaneously cut grooving and chamfering the pipe section, or separately and independently cut grooving and chamfering the pipe section, as may be required.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a rear right perspective view from above, of the apparatus for cut grooving and chamfering a pipe section constructed according to the invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a view partially in cross-section, taken along lines  2 - 2  of FIG. 1 and rotated approximately 180°in the direction opposite from the direction in FIG. 1, with the apparatus positioned on the pipe section intended for cut grooving and chamfering;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a view, partially in cross-section, taken along lines  3 - 3  of FIG. 2;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 2;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is an elevational cross-sectional view from the right side, illustrating the groove cutting portion of the apparatus in enlarged detail, the chamfer cutting portion being cut away for illustration purposes;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5A is a frontal cross-sectional view, taken along lines  5 A- 5 A of FIG. 5, illustrating the groove cutting block shown in FIG. 5, and the preferred method of providing relative rotation between the apparatus and the pipe to cut a groove into the pipe;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is an elevational cross-sectional view from the right side, illustrating the chamfer cutting portion of the apparatus in enlarged detail, the groove cutting portion being cut away for illustration purposes;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6A is a rearward cross-sectional view, taken along lines  6 A- 6 A of FIG. 6, illustrating the pipe end chamfer cutting device, and the preferred method of providing relative rotation between the apparatus and the pipe to cut a chamfer on the end of the pipe simultaneously with the cutting of a groove into the pipe wall; and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a right side perspective view from below, of the apparatus for cut-grooving and chamfering of a pipe section according to the invention, illustrating the completed workpiece pipe section after removal of the apparatus from the workpiece.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    In the description which follows, reference is made to the front, rear, right side and left side of the apparatus. The front of the apparatus faces the workpiece and the rear side receives the manually operable crank. The right and left sides are defined as viewed from the positions of the workpiece. Furthermore in the description which follows, reference is made to a chamfering procedure whereby the end of pipe section is chamfered at a relatively shallow angle, such as about 10-25°, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pipe section, in contrast to a bevelling operation wherein the angle is approximately 60-75°with respect to the axis of the pipe section  12 .  
         [0024]    Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, an apparatus  10  for cut-grooving and chamfering a workpiece pipe section  12  is illustrated. The pipe section  12  is separated from the apparatus  10  and is shown in fixed position for reception of the cutting section of the apparatus thereon for the purpose of performing the cut-grooving and chamfering operation on the pipe section  12 . The pipe sections primarily contemplated are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), polyethylene, polybutylene or the like. However the apparatus can also be made to cut-groove and chamfer metal pipe sections.  
         [0025]    Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the structural components which form the apparatus  10  will now be described. Apparatus  10  includes frame  14  which consists substantially of cast aluminum. Outer support rollers  16 ,  18  are rotatably supported on shafts  17 ,  19 , in two roller housings formed by plates  20 ,  22  which include downwardly extending roller carrying members  21 ,  23  on each side as shown, and are attached to roller support cross-member  24  which is movable vertically by rotation of threaded rod  26  which is attached thereto by screw  28  and which is threadedly engaged within threaded block  30  which is fixed to frame  14  as shown, by screws  31 . Outer support rollers  16 ,  18  may be made of steel, hard plastic or rubber, or the like, but are required to develop frictional forces with the outer surface of pipe section  12 . Accordingly, they may be optionally roughened by stippling, knurling or the like. Threaded rod  26  has a drive nut  32  connected at the upper end as shown, which is rotatable by universal drive crank  34 , shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, drive nut  32  is pinned to threaded rod  26  by cross-pin  36  such that rotation of drive nut  32  produces rotation of threaded rod  26 . Rotation of rod  26  in one direction produces upward movement of cross-member  24  and grip rollers  16 ,  18  to release the pipe  12  from apparatus  10 , and rotation of the threaded rod  26  in the opposite direction produces downward movement of cross-member  24  and grip rollers  16 ,  18  to grip the pipe  12  in a manner as will be described.  
         [0026]    Referring now to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIGS. 1, 4, and  7 , inner gripping rollers  38 ,  40  are illustrated. Inner rollers  38 ,  40  are knurled steel rollers having a frusto-conical outer configuration and are fixed for rotation with shafts  42 ,  44  by pins  50 ,  52  as shown. As shown in FIG. 4, inner rollers  38 ,  40  each have a greater diameter at the rearward end than that of the forward end. The steel rollers  38 ,  40  are intended for engagement with the inner surface of the workpiece pipe section  12  as shown in FIG. 3 and are supported between upwardly extending front flange  46  and rear wall  48  of frame  14  as best shown in FIG. 4. It should be noted that although the preferred combination of grip rollers  16 ,  18 ,  38 ,  40  include a total of four rollers, nevertheless the invention may be practiced utilizing one or more rollers on the outside surface of pipe section  12  and one or more rollers on the inside surface of pipe section  12 .  
         [0027]    Rear wall  48  of frame  14  includes pipe stops  54 ,  56  which are in the form of steel discs as best shown in FIG. 7, attached to the rear wall by screws  55  as shown. The purpose of the steel discs  54 ,  56  is to provide wear-resistant stops for the workpiece pipe section  12 , thereby avoiding direct engagement between the pipe  12  and the cast aluminum wall  48  to fix the position of the pipe  12  with respect to the apparatus for precision cutting of the pipe on the end to be chamfered and for cut-grooving on the surface as will be described in further detail herebelow.  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIG. 5 in conjunction with  5 A, there is shown an elevational cross-sectional view from the right side, illustrating the groove cutting portion of the apparatus for cutting a groove into the pipe section  12  as shown. Threaded rod  58  is supported vertically within frame  14  and is threadedly engaged at the upper end by threaded handle  76 . Groove cutting block  62  is fixed to rod  58  by pin bolt  64  and has a groove cutting knife-edge portion  66  and a groove stop  69  to stop the groove cutting when the groove reaches a predetermined depth. Groove cutting block  62  is biased downwardly in a groove cutting direction by coil spring  68  which is engaged for compression at the upper wall  70 . Cutting knife-edge portion  66  of cutting block  62  is dimensioned to cut a groove into pipe section  12  according to the predetermined widthwise and depthwise dimension such as is shown. However, alternatively, cutting block  62  may be configured to have a cutting knife-edge portion  66  of different dimensions or, alternatively positioned to vary the location of the groove with respect to the pipe end. For example, plastic pipe sections to be cut for use with couplings will vary in radial size and wall thickness. Accordingly, depending upon the size of the pipe and the wall thickness, the groove to be cut into the pipe will vary somewhat in depth and in location with respect to the pipe end. Therefore, cutting block  62  can be removed by removal of screw  64  and replaced with a cutting block of different shape and dimensions.  
         [0029]    Referring again to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 5A, cutting block  62  is initially lifted out of the pipe cutting area by rotating threaded handle  76  to cause threaded rod  58  and cutting block  62  attached thereto to be lifted upwardly until the pipe outer surface is cleared by the cutting edge  66 . This permits mounting of the apparatus  10  onto the pipe section  12  as will be described hereinbelow. FIGS. 5 and 5A illustrate the groove cutting operation in which pipe material  67 ,  85  is continuously and progressively cut away from the pipe section  12  as will be described.  
         [0030]    Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 6A, the pipe end chamfering portion of the apparatus is illustrated and is similar to the pipe cut-grooving portion. In FIG. 6, threaded rod  78  is supported vertically within frame  14  and is threadedly engaged by handle  80  at the upper end as shown. Flange member  82  is integrally attached to rod  78  at the lower end and connects chamfer cutting tool  84  to the rod  78 . Cutting tool  84  has a chamfered cutting edge  86  at the lowermost end. Flange  82  includes a cutting stop plate  88  having dual positioning apertures  90 ,  92  which provide dual alternative ranges for cutting tool  84 , depending upon which aperture  98  or  92  is used to attach the cutting tool  84  to the flange member  82  and rod  78 . Thus by removing pin bolt  90  from flange  82  and repositioning the cutting tool  84  such that aperture  92  becomes aligned with the lowermost aperture  96  in cutting tool  84 , the stop plate  88  will engage the surface of the pipe  12  during the chamfering operation earlier than the engagement which would take place when the pin bolt  90  is located in the uppermost aperture  98  as shown. Thus, the stop plate  88  is intended to control the depth of the chamfer which is cut by cutting tool  84  by selectively engaging the outer surface of pipe  12  when a predetermined chamfer cut has been made. In FIGS. 6 and 6A, rod  78  is surrounded by coil spring  100  which biases the chamfer cutting tool  84  in a downward direction by engagement with flange  82  attached to cutting tool  84  via pin bolt  90  at the lower end and with upper wall  72  of frame  14  in a manner similar to the groove cutting section as shown.  
         [0031]    Referring now once again to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 6, the drive section of the apparatus will now be described. Conical shaped roller  40  is fixedly connected to shaft  44  by pin  50  as described previously. Shaft  44  extends through the rear wall  48  and is supported thereby for rotation. Shaft  44  has a drive nut  102  connected for rotation therewith by pin  104  best shown in FIG. 1. Alternative drive arrangements for rollers  16 ,  18 ,  38 ,  40  are contemplated for use by those skilled in the art. In addition, provided the pipe section  12  is held fixed as in a vise or other appropriate gripping device, any suitable mechanism or arrangement for rotating the frame  14  would be satisfactory. If appropriate or preferred, the frame  14  may be held fixed, whereby the pipe section  12  will rotate as the cutting operation proceeds.  
         [0032]    Crank  34  has an appropriately sized nut drive  106  is positioned at the end of horizontal drive member  108  such that when drive nut  106  is positioned in engagement with nut  102  and crank  34  is rotated manually, the frusto-conical roller  38  also rotates therewith. The frusto-conical rollers  38 ,  40  are particularly tapered as shown in order to skew the pipe section  12  as shown when the apparatus is placed upon the pipe section for the cutting operation as will be described hereinbelow. The purpose of the tapered configuration of rollers  38 ,  40 , i.e., the forwardmost diameter is less than the rearmost diameter, is to develop self-tracking forces on the pipe section  12  when relative rotation takes place between the pipe section  12  and the rollers  38 ,  40 . The tracking forces are sufficient to cause the pipe section  12  to tend to spiral further into engagement with pipe stops  54 ,  56  thereby biasing the pipe section  12  toward the frame  14  in order to assure that the cutting operations take place in precisely the predetermined locations without variation from pipe to pipe. The self-tracking feature is described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,143, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0033]    Referring once again to the drawings, the operation of the apparatus  10  will now be described. A pipe section  12  shown in FIG. 1, is typically made of a plastic material such as polyvinylchloride, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, or the like. As noted, the pipe section  12  is generally intended for use in coupling applications with other conduits to provide fluid-tight connections for fluids under pressure. In order to connect the pipe section to the other conduits, suitable couplings are used which include appropriate fluid seals. The couplings are of the type which generally require that the pipe section has a chamfered end portion and a groove cut into the wall at a predetermined distance from the chamfered end axially along the tube. The purpose of the chamfered end and the groove is to accommodate particular types of well-known couplings. The precise dimensions of the groove, as well as the location of the groove with respect to the pipe end, and the depth of the chamfer will generally depend upon the size of the pipe section (i.e., nominal diameter and wall thickness). For example, plastic pipe sections are generally supplied in nominal sizes such as 4-6 inches, 8 inch, 10 inch, and 12 inch, etc. Each size requires a specific groove and chamfer and a specific axial dimension between the groove and the chamfer. Accordingly, where appropriate, definitively sized and spaced cutters are required.  
         [0034]    Referring again to the drawings, particularly FIG. 1, pipe section  12  is generally fixed in a pipe grip or vise and apparatus  10  is then positioned on the pipe section  12  for proceeding with the cut-grooving and chamfering operation. Prior to positioning the apparatus  10  on the pipe section  12 , handles  76  and  80  are rotated in a clockwise direction to cause threaded rods  58 ,  78  to move upwardly thereby lifting groove cutting tool  62  and chamfering tool  84  upwardly sufficiently to clear the outer surface of pipe section  12  for positioning the apparatus thereon.  
         [0035]    Crank  34  is then moved to the top of the apparatus and nut drive  106  is then positioned on drive nut  32  and rotated in a counterclockwise direction which causes threaded rod  26  to rotate and rise so as to lift cross-member  24  and grip rollers  16 ,  18  upwardly to clear the outermost dimension of pipe section  12 . The apparatus is then positioned onto the fixed pipe section  12  and made to grip the pipe section as will be described.  
         [0036]    After positioning the apparatus on the pipe section  12 , crank  34  is rotated manually in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 3 to cause the rod  26  and cross member  24  to be lowered toward the pipe section until outer grip rollers  16 ,  18  engage the outer surface of the pipe section  12  and cause the inner frusto-conical rollers  38 ,  40  to engage the inner surface of the pipe section  12  as best shown in FIG. 3. Rotation of crank  34  is continued until the pipe section  12  is gripped between outer rollers  16 ,  18  and inner rollers  38 ,  40 .  
         [0037]    After completion of the pipe gripping operation, crank  34  is then removed from nut  32  and nut drive  106  is then positioned on conical roller drive nut  102 . Thereafter, handles  76 ,  80  are rotated counterclockwise sufficient to cause threaded rods  58 ,  78  to be lowered until groove cutting tool  62  and chamfer cutting tool  84  engage the appropriate respective outer surface portions of the pipe section  12  with the full downward cutting force provided by springs  68 ,  100 . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 handles  76 ,  80  are rotated counterclockwise sufficient to leave a space  77 ,  79  which is slightly greater than the anticipated downward movement of cutting tools  62 ,  84  in order to avoid interference with the downward bias of springs  68 ,  100 .  
         [0038]    When the cutting blocks are in engagement with the pipe section  12  as described, crank  34  is rotated to cause rotation of frusto-conical roller  40  which grips the inner surface of pipe section  12 . This rotation in turn causes the entire apparatus  10  to rotate about the fixed pipe section  12  while cutting edge  66  of groove cutting tool  62  continuously and progressively cuts a groove into pipe section  12  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A, and chamfer cutting tool  84  continuously and progressively cuts a chamfer on the pipe end as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A. In the cutting of the groove shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A, material removed from the pipe section  12  is shown at  67  and in the chamfering of the pipe section as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A, the material removed is shown as  85 .  
         [0039]    According to the preferred operation, rotation of the apparatus continues progressively cutting material away until groove cutting stop  69  engages the outer surface of the pipe section  12  to prevent further groove cutting, and the cutting stop  88  of chamfer cutting tool  84  engages the surface of the pipe section  12  to prevent further chamfering of the pipe section  12 . However, until the point of engagement of the stop  88 , the chamfer cutting is progressive and continuous. At the completion of the cutting operation, handles  76 ,  80  are still spaced from upper walls  70 ,  72 , such that cutting stops  69 ,  88  provide the only interference to further cutting of the pipe section. Thereafter, the handles  76 ,  80  are rotated clockwise until they engage upper wall  70 ,  72 . Further rotation of handles  76 ,  80  causes upward movement of rods  58 ,  78  so as to lift the cutting tools  62 ,  84  upwardly away from the pipe section  12  to clear the pipe section.  
         [0040]    Crank  34  is then removed from nut  102  and replaced on nut  32 . Thereafter, handle  34  is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to cause cross member  24  and outer grip rollers  16 ,  18  to be lifted upwardly away for the outer surface of pipe section  12  sufficient to permit removal of the apparatus from the pipe section. The finished grooved and chamfered pipe section  12  is shown in FIG. 7 in condition for use with an appropriate coupling as described previously and the apparatus is ready to repeat the cut-grooving and chamfering operation.  
         [0041]    While the apparatus  10  has been described in use for simultaneously cut grooving and chamfering a pipe section  12 , alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein either of cutting tools  62 ,  84  may be retracted to provide only one cutting operation, assuming such pipe configuration is required for a particular use. The cutting operations may also be operated in sequence, if desired. In addition, as noted previously, the cutting tools  62 ,  84  may be alternatively configured to accommodate alternative and various pipe configurations and sizes, for example, cutting grooves of alternative shapes and dimension and chamfering pipe ends in alternative depths and angles or shapes. Accordingly, the provision of the feature providing removal and replacement of alternative cutting tools provides flexibility and variety in cutting pipe sections of varying sizes and configurations, with alternative sizes and shapes in the cuts thus provided.  
         [0042]    It should be noted that a significant feature of the present invention is that the cut grooving and chamfering operations are performed simultaneously, continuously, and progressively. In particular, for a pipe section as shown, the pipe section can be continuously rotated until the cutting operations are complete. However, the unique structure of the present apparatus also makes it possible to cut groove, chamfer, or both, on workpieces other than pipe sections. For example, a flat plate section can be fed into the machine for cut grooving and/or chamfering by repeatedly passing the plate section through the machine in the same manner as with a pipe section. After the required number of passes have been completed, the cutting operation(s) will be completed.  
         [0043]    In addition, as noted previously, the apparatus  10  can be made to cut groove and chamfer tubes of materials other than plastic, such as metal. However, minor modifications will be required, such as providing stronger springs  68 ,  78  to accommodate the harder material, and/or strengthening load carrying components.  
         [0044]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to the illustrated preferred embodiments, variations and modifications may be provided within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and as defined by the following claims.