Patent Publication Number: US-2020290139-A1

Title: Sample preparation saw

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The examination of specimens, such as metals, ceramics, composites, cements, laminates, plastics, electronic components and biomaterials may require a number of preparatory steps. For example, a specimen may need to be cut or sectioned to a specific size prior to mounting for examination. 
     Saws are known for carrying out the sectioning, e.g., cutting of samples. Saws can be free-standing types, such as that disclosed in Adair et al., US Publication No. 2015/0217472 or table-top types, such as that disclosed in, US Publication No. 2012/0100780, the disclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In a typical sample preparation saw, the specimen is secured in a vise or chuck. The chuck is secured in an assembly that can be moved toward and away from the blade to position the specimen for cutting. The assembly is positioned along a T-slot in the base of the saw and secured by fasteners, such as screws or bolts. To remove or reposition the specimen, bolts are removed from the chuck and an upper portion, such as a saddle is removed to reposition the specimen. The assembly is then repositioned in on the base of the saw. Tools, such as hex drivers are required to remove the assembly from the base and to remove and reposition the specimen in the chuck. Fasteners in the assembly are then tightened, again using tools to secure the assembly along the T-slot in the base. Removing and repositioning the specimen in the chuck is required so that the cut is made in the proper location on along the specimen. 
     In operation, the saw blade is then manually positioned to affect the cut. In some known saws, the blade is moved toward the specimen to perform the cut. The location of the blade relative to the specimen may have to be manually adjusted along one or more of the x-, y- and z-axes to properly position the blade to perform the cut. Some saws in corporate automated movement in one or two directions. Other saws have a table or mounting that moves in one direction. For purposes of the present disclosure, the x-axis is parallel to the axis on which the saw blade rotates, the y-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis and is movement toward and away from the saw blade cutting edge, and the z-axis is along a vertical direction, that is in an up and down motion, toward and away from the saw base. The three axes are perpendicular to one another and define a spatial movement. 
     A lubricant and rinse solution, which may be, for example, water, is sprayed onto the blade and specimen during cutting operations to cool the specimen and blade and to rinse away debris and swarf that is generated during the cutting operation. The rinse water is collected in a collection tank in the bottom of the saw base. The rinse fluid is then pumped out of the recirculation tank for processing and/or disposal. 
     In known saws, the collection tank includes a serpentine or maze-like set of walls to reduce turbulence in the rinse fluid so that the heavier materials settle out prior to the discharge pump inlet. While these walls prevent some of the debris from entering the pump, these unwanted materials can clog the pump inlet resulting in overflow of the tank and can possibly cause the pump to run dry. Moreover, if debris is drawn into the pump, it may damage the pump internals, such as the pump casing or pump impeller. 
     In addition, depending upon the type of blade used, the blade may have to be dressed during the cutting operation. Dressing a blade is the process of removing worn material from the blade so as to expose a fresh cutting surface or edge. In known saws, dressing is carried out by positioning a dressing stick, such as a silicon carbide block, in a holder and moving the dressing stick into contact with the cutting edge of the blade. In one known saw, the dressing stick is driven by a drive into contact with the edge of the saw blade. The dressing stick may be incrementally moved, along its length to expose fresh (uncut) areas of the dressing stick to the saw blade edge. Such a system in used in the IsoMet® 4000 and 5000 linear precision saws, commercially available from Buehler, an ITW company, of Lake Bluff, Ill. The dressing stick must be manually installed on and removed from the saw by removing fasteners securing the holder to the saw and reinstalling the fasteners, using tools, to reposition and/or replace the stick. 
     Known saws have control system that control one or more of the steps necessary to carry out cutting, dressing and the like throughout the cutting cycle. The control interfaces, however, can be non-intuitive and may require significant operator interface or manual operation. In addition, the human-machine interfaces of known saws do not lend itself to step-by-step set up and operation in an automatic mode. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved bench-top sample preparation saw. Desirably, such a saw has automated 3-dimensional movement and adjustability along the x-, y- and z-axes. More desirably, such a saw has tool-less specimen clamping and positioning assemblies to facilitate readily positioning and securing a specimen in the saw. More desirably still, such a saw has a dressing system that moves a dressing wheel into contact with the blade and indexes the dressing element to expose a fresh surface of the dressing element to the blade. Still more desirably, such a saw has a recirculation tank and system that readily separates debris and swarf from the cooling/lubricating/rinse fluid. Such a saw additionally includes an improved user interface that facilitates set up and use of the saw with minimal operator interface requirements. 
     SUMMARY 
     A sample preparation saw has automated 3-dimensional movement and adjustability along the x-, y- and z-axes. In an embodiment, the saw has tool-less specimen clamping and positioning assemblies to facilitate readily positioning and securing a specimen in the saw. In an embodiment, the saw has a dressing system that moves a dressing wheel into and out of contact with the blade and indexes the dressing wheel to expose a fresh surface of the dressing element to the blade. In an embodiment, the saw has a recirculation tank and system that readily separates debris and swarf from the rinse fluid. 
     The saw includes a base, a housing, a saw assembly mounted to the base, a dressing assembly, a sample clamping assembly mounted to the base, and a reservoir assembly. The saw assembly includes a blade assembly with a rotating blade (also known as, e.g., a cutting blade or a saw blade). The blade assembly is movable along x-, y- and z-axes by at least two drives. The dressing assembly is operable to dress the rotating blade. The sample clamping assembly includes a rail, a sample mount removably positioned on the rail and a saddle operable to hold a sample. The reservoir assembly is operable to recirculate a rinse fluid sprayed on the rotating blade, and includes a basin having a pump and a series of weirs. 
     The saw includes a first drive for moving the blade assembly along the x-axis, a second drive for moving the blade assembly along the y-axis and a third drive for moving the blade assembly along the z-axis. 
     In an embodiment, the saw assembly includes a turret assembly and the first drive and the third drive are mounted to the turret assembly. The second drive moves the turret assembly, mounted on a conveyor, along the y-axis. A telescopic shaft imparts rotational movement to the rotating blade, and a blade drive rotationally drives the rotating blade via the telescopic shaft. The first drive moves the blade assembly by reciprocating movement of a telescopic shaft. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the saw includes a dressing assembly mounted to the blade assembly and movable with the blade assembly along the one or more of the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis. The dressing assembly includes a rotatable dressing wheel and a pivoting mount for pivoting the dressing wheel into and out of contact with the rotating blade. The dressing wheel is rotated in an indexed manner so as to expose an unused portion of the dressing wheel to the rotating blade. 
     In an embodiment, the dressing assembly includes a pivot drive for pivoting the dressing wheel into and out of contact with the rotating blade and a dressing wheel drive for rotating the dressing wheel. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the saw includes a sample clamping assembly. The clamping assembly includes a rail mounted to the base, a sample mount that removably positions on the rail and a saddle operably connected to the sample mount, by, for example, a post. The rail has a main body, a lip extending from an upper portion of the main body on a side of the main body and a recess on an opposite side of the main body, below the upper portion. The mount includes a body having a channel defined by a long leg and a short leg. The short leg has an inwardly oriented lip for engaging the rail lip and a biased securing element, such as one or more biased ball detents. When the sample mount is positioned on the rail the main body inwardly oriented lip engages the rail lip and the ball detents are positioned in the recess to secure the mount to the rail. 
     To facilitate mounting the rail lip can be rounded and a surface extending between the rail upper surface and the recess (along which the ball detents are urged) can be angled. The mount can be positioned on and removed from the rail without the use of tools. 
     In an embodiment, the saddle includes a base having three threaded openings, a movable center bar having a pair of non-threaded openings that are aligned with two of the threaded openings in the base and a clamp having a pair of slotted openings aligning with the non-threaded openings in the center bar. The movable center bar is positioned between the base and the clamp. 
     A pair of fasteners secure the movable center bar and clamp to the base and a threaded adjusting rod positioned in one of the threaded openings in the base. The adjusting rod is configured to contact and move the movable center bar toward and away from the clamp to secure and release a sample held in the saddle. The slotted openings in the clamp may have a generally U-shaped profile. A resilient insert can be positioned to extend into the slotted opening to secure the clamp to the fasteners. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, a reservoir system includes a basin having a removable cover having a fluid inlet. The basin has a pump positioned therein. The basin and the saw have quick connect connectors. 
     The reservoir system has a series of weirs extending across a width of the basin. Each of the weirs has a height such that the height of an upstream weir is greater than the height of a downstream weir. Quick connect connectors provide power and control to the pump and fluid outlet connection so that the reservoir system is positioned in and removed from a receiving region of the base of the saw without the use of tools. Each of the weirs defines a section within the basin and screens can be positioned in the sections. 
     The saw includes a controller. The controller can be configured to allow all or some of the functions or operation of the saw in an automatic mode or in a manual mode. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The benefits and advantages of the present device will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying and drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of an embodiment of a sample preparation saw of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is front view of the saw of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of a cutting region of the saw; 
         FIGS. 5A-5E  are various views of an embodiment of a turret assembly of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are serial perspective views of a drive region of the saw showing a portion of the turret assembly as it reciprocates; 
         FIG. 7  is an assembly view of the drive region of the saw showing a conveyor on which the turret assembly is mounted; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are serial perspective views of the drive region of the saw showing a portion of the turret assembly as it rotates; 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  are various views of an embodiment of a dressing assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the dressing assembly; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the dressing assembly contacting the rotating blade; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are perspective views of a dressing assembly mount; 
         FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a sample clamping assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13B  is a front view of the sample clamping assembly of  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a rail of the sample clamping assembly; 
         FIG. 15B  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a mount of the sample clamping assembly; 
         FIG. 15B  is a perspective view of the cutting region of the saw showing the sample clamping assembly; 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of a saddle of the sample clamping assembly; 
         FIG. 17A  is a bottom view of a movable center bar of the saddle; 
         FIG. 17B  is a front view of the movable center bar of  FIG. 17A ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a double saddle of the sample clamping assembly; 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a reservoir system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of quick connect connectors of the reservoir system of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of weirs and screens of the reservoir system of  FIG. 19 ; and 
         FIG. 22  is an embodiment of a graphical user interface used for operation of the saw of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present device and method are susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently preferred embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the device and is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring now to the Figures and in particular, to  FIGS. 1-2 , there is shown an embodiment of a sample preparation saw  10 . The illustrated saw  10  is a bench-top type saw that is configured to rest on a surface, such as a bench or table. It will, however, be appreciated that the novel features and aspects of the presently described embodiment can used in any sample preparation saw  10 . 
     The saw  10  includes a housing  12  having a base  14  and a cover  16 . The saw  10  can also be described as having a cutting region  50  and a drive region  52 . As illustrated, the cover  16  can include a transparent portion to allow for viewing the saw  10  and the specimen or sample during operation. The base  14  includes a receiving section  204  for a reservoir system (more detail with respect to  FIGS. 19-21  below). As seen in  FIGS. 1-2 and 22 , the saw  10  includes a control panel  18 , a controller  20  and a graphical user interface (GUI)  22 . In an embodiment, the GUI  22  is a touch screen that is in communication with the controller  20  to control and monitor operation of the saw  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-4 , illustrating a cutting region  50  of the saw  10 , a rotating blade  24  of the saw  10  has automated, independent 3-dimensional movement and adjustability, i.e., along the x-, y- and z-axes (see  FIG. 3 ). For purposes of the present disclosure, the x-axis is the direction that is parallel to the axis of rotation of the blade  24 , the y-axis is the direction that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade  24  and the z-axis is also a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade  24 , in which the x- and y-axes are oriented horizontally and the z-axis is oriented vertically. Again, for purposes of the present disclosure, the x-axis is in the direction across the saw  10 , that is side-to side, the y-axis is to the front and rear of the saw  10  (toward and away from an operator) and the z-axis is up and down in the saw  10 . It will be appreciated that movement along the x-, y- and z-axes provides independent 3-dimensional movement and positioning of a rotating blade  24  relative to the sample without the need to remove the sample from a saddle (or vise) and reposition the sample within the saddle and saw for subsequent cutting. 
     The saw  10  includes a turret assembly  26  (more detail with respect to  FIGS. 5A-8B  below), primarily located in a drive region  52  of the saw  10 . The turret assembly  26  is movable along the y- and z-axes as will be discussed in more detail below. The rotating blade  24  is carried on a blade assembly  30  at the end of a drive shaft  32  (also known as, e.g., a telescoping/telescopic shaft  32 ). The blade assembly  30  includes a blade drive  28  for rotationally driving the rotating blade  24  (also known as, e.g., the saw blade  24 ) via the drive shaft  32 . The blade drive  28  can be, for example, a direct drive motor or the drive can include a drive train, for example a belt drive train between a motor and the saw blade  24 . In an embodiment, the blade drive  28  is a variable speed drive that allows the rotational speed of the blade  24  to be controlled depending, for example, on the size, e.g., thickness, of the sample, the sample material and the like. The blade drive  28  and blade assembly  30  are eccentrically mounted to the turret assembly  26 . 
     The telescopic shaft  32  reciprocates to allow for adjusting the distance between the blade  24  and the turret assembly  26 , or the distance along the x-axis that the blade  24  is positioned. A drive shaft sleeve  34  is positioned over the telescopic shaft  32  to cover the shaft  32 . The sleeve  34  moves along the x-axis with the blade assembly  30 , but is stationary in that it does not rotate with the telescopic shaft  32 . 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a perspective view,  FIG. 5C  illustrates a front view,  FIG. 5D  illustrates a right-side view, and  FIG. 5E  illustrates a left-side view of the turret assembly  26 .  FIG. 5B  illustrates a back view of the turret assembly  26 , with some rotation of the shaft  32  about the x-axis in an arcuate movement down the z-axis towards a turret base  47  in comparison with  FIGS. 5A and 5C-5E .  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate serial perspective views inside the drive region  52  of the saw  10  and the turret assembly  26 . The telescopic shaft  32  (guided by parts  40 - 44 ) is extended along the x-axis into the cutting region  50  between  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an assembly view of the drive region  52  of the saw  10  showing a conveyor  46  on which the turret assembly  26  is mounted.  FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate serial perspective views inside the drive region  52  of the saw  10  and the turret assembly  26 . A rotational drive  48  is rotating the blade drive  28  about the x-axis in an arcuate movement up the z-axis away from base  47  between  FIGS. 8A and 8B . Additionally,  FIGS. 5D-5E, 7 and 8A-8B  illustrate a blower fan  49  of the turret assembly  26 . The blower fan  49  cools one or more drives of the turret assembly  26 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-8B , with respect to movement along the x-axis, in an embodiment, a first or x-axis drive  36  for moving the blade assembly  30  along the x-axis is illustrated. The x-axis drive  36  is carried on the turret assembly  26 . The x-axis drive  36  includes a motor  38  such as a stepper or servomotor to allow for precisely controlling the positioning of the rotating blade  24  along the x-axis. The motor  38  can be mounted to a drive rod  40  and drive plate  42  that are configured for reciprocating movement to move the blade assembly  30  along the x-axis, as well as rotational movement to drive blade  24  rotation. One or more guide pins  44  can extend from the blade assembly  30  through the drive plate  42  to rotatably drive the blade assembly  30  and to serve as a guide for reciprocating movement of the blade assembly  30  along the x-axis (as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ). Thus, the shaft  32  and the blade  24  are rotated by the blade drive  28 , and the shaft  32  and the blade assembly  30  are moved along the x-axis by the first drive  36 . 
     In an embodiment, for movement along the y-axis, the turret assembly  26  is mounted to a driven conveyor  46 . The conveyor  46  includes a first belt  46   a,  a second belt  46   b , and a pulley  46   c.  A conveyor platform  45  is operably connected (e.g., but not limited to, via screws, welding, and/or adhesive) to the conveyor  46 . A base  47  of the turret assembly  26  is mounted to the conveyor platform  45 . A conveyor or y-axis drive  27  moves, e.g., rotates the conveyor  46  (i.e., rotates the second belt  46   b  which rotates the pulley  46   c  which rotates the first belt  46   a ) to move the conveyor platform  45  on which the turret base  47  is mounted, and thus the blade assembly  30  and blade  24 , back and forth (front and back) in the saw  10 . The conveyor drive  27  can be used to position the saw blade  24  during set up, prior to cutting, and during cutting to move the blade  24  toward and away from the sample. The conveyor drive  27  can be, for example, a stepper or servomotor to allow for precisely controlling the position of the blade  24  along the y-axis. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the numerous ways which conveyor  46  and parts  46   a - 46   c  can be configured and operated, and will recognize that the conveyor  46  can be implemented with either more or less belts/pulleys  46   a - 46   c.    
     For movement along the z-axis, the turret assembly  26  includes a rotational or z-axis drive  48 . Similar to the above-mentioned drives  27 ,  36 , the rotational drive  48  can also be a precision drive, such as a stepper or servomotor to precisely control movement of the turret assembly  26 . As noted above the blade drive  28  and the blade assembly  30  are eccentrically mounted to the turret assembly  26 . As such, as the rotational drive  48  rotates the turret assembly  26 , the blade drive  28  and the blade assembly  30  will move up and down (generally along the z-axis) as well as forward and back (along the y-axis) due to the nature of the arcuate path taken by the eccentrically mounted blade drive  28  and assembly  30 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . In addition, similar to the conveyor drive  27 , the rotational drive  48  can be used to position the saw blade  24  during set up, prior to cutting, and during cutting to move the blade  24  down, into and up, away from the sample. 
     In another embodiment (two-drive configuration; not shown in  FIGS. 5A-8B ), the turret assembly  26  is mounted to the base  14  and/or the housing  12  of the saw  10 ; no driven conveyor  46  is used. The x-axis drive  36  moves the blade assembly  30  along the x-axis as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . Rather than using two additional drives—conveyor drive  27  and rotational drive  48 —for movement along the y-axis and the z-axis, this other embodiment only uses the rotational drive  48  for movement along both the y-axis and the z-axis. As noted above, the blade drive  28  and the blade assembly  30  are eccentrically mounted to the turret assembly  26 . As such, as the rotational drive  48  rotates the turret assembly  26 , the blade drive  28  and the blade assembly  30  will move up and down (generally along the z-axis) as well as forward and back (along the y-axis) due to the nature of the arcuate path, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . Thus, the saw  10  can use two drives  36 ,  48  for 3-dimensional movement and adjustability along the x-, y- and z-axes of the blade assembly  30 . The blade drive  28  rotates the blade  24  but does not move the assembly  30  along any axes. 
     Therefore, at least two drives for moving the blade assembly  30  along the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis at least two drives can be used. A three-drive configuration—the x-axis (or first) drive  36 , the conveyor/y-axis (or second) drive  27 , and the rotational/z-axis (or third) drive  48 —allows more movement of the blade assembly  30  along the y-axis than the two-drive configuration described above. 
     Because the cutting or sample preparation process is carried out using a cooling/lubricating/rinse fluid that is sprayed onto the blade  24  and sample on the interior of the saw  10  (that is the region in which the sample is cut), this cutting region  50  will be wet and likely full of debris. To maintain the fluid and debris in the cutting region  50  and to prevent to fluid and debris from entering into the portion of the saw in which the drives are housed (the drive region  52 ), while allowing movement of the turret assembly  26  to effect cutting, the turret assembly  26  is mounted though an elongated opening  54  in a portion of the housing  12  that separates the cutting region  50  from the drive region  52 . As seen in  FIG. 4 , a series of overlapping multi-pass leaves  56  is positioned in the elongated opening  54  and around the turret assembly  26 . The series of overlapping multi-pass leaves  56  provide a barrier between the cutting region  50  and the drive region  52  and prevent the ingress of fluid and debris into the drive region  52 . As the turret assembly  26  is moved along the y-axis, the leaves  56  pass or slide over one another maintaining a barrier between the regions  50 ,  52  and allowing the turret assembly  26  to move freely along the y-axis. 
     A dressing assembly  58  of an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 and 9A-12B . The dressing assembly  58  dresses the blade  24  to remove worn material from the blade  24  and expose a fresh cutting surface or edge. The dressing assembly  58  includes, generally, a dressing mount  60 , a dressing drive  62  and a dressing wheel  64 . The dressing assembly  58  can be operated in a fully automatic mode. Unlike prior known systems that use sticks, the present assembly uses an indexing, rotatable wheel  64 . Moreover, unlike prior known systems in which an operator was required to move the blocks to expose fresh dressing material, the present system can be programmed to automatically dress a blade  24  to provide better and more consistent cutting quality and to increase blade  24  life. 
     The dressing mount  60  is mounted to the drive shaft sleeve  34  so that it moves along the x-, y- and z-axes with the blade assembly  30  but remains rotationally stationary with the sleeve  34  (other than the arcuate movement when rotating the turret assembly  26  in the z-axis direction), as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  (blade  24  removed for visibility). In this manner, the dressing assembly  58  remains in a constant position relative to the rotating blade  24 . The mount  60  includes upper and lower rails  66 ,  68  having a series of aligned openings  70 . The rails  66 ,  68  have an inwardly extending guide portion  72  on the sides that face one another. The lower rail  68  includes larger bored out or cut out regions  74  adjacent to and forming part of the openings  70 . 
     In other embodiments, the dressing mount  60  and assembly  58  are movable with the blade assembly  30  but are not mounted on the blade assembly  30 , thus requiring additional dressing drives to match the movement of the blade assembly  30 . In yet other embodiments, the dressing mount  60  and assembly  58  are mounted on the blade assembly  30  but are not movable with the blade assembly  30 . For example, the dressing mount  60  may be mounted to a non-extending/reciprocating portion of a shaft sleeve. 
     The dressing drive  62  includes a housing  76  having two dressing drives  78 ,  79 . A mounting block  80  is mounted to the housing  76  to facilitate mounting the dressing drive housing  76  to the mount  60 . The mounting block  80  includes an opening  82  to accommodate a pin  84  that is inserted through one of the openings  70  in the upper rail  66 , through the opening in the mounting block  82  and through the corresponding opening in the lower rail  68  to secure the housing  76  to the dressing mount  60 . In an embodiment, the pin  84  includes a spring biased plunger  86  that is operably connected to a locking member, such as ball detents  88  positioned in the pin  84 . When the  86  plunger is depressed, against the bias, the ball detents  88  are free to move inwardly, into the pin  84 . When the plunger  86  is released, the spring biases the ball detents  88  outwardly which locks the ball detents  88  in place in the lower rail cut out region  74 . 
     In an embodiment, the housing  76  is pivotally mounted to the mounting block  80 . The housing has a pivot bearing  90 . The pivot bearing  90  is positioned in a circular opening  92  in the mounting block  80  such that the housing  76  pivots about the bearing  90  in the opening  92 . A pivot drive  78 , operates in conjunction with the mounting block  80  and pivot bearing  90  on the housing  76 . As seen in  FIGS. 9A-9D and 12A-12B , the pivot drive  78  is eccentrically mounted to a roller  94  that is positioned in an elongated or slotted opening  96 . As such, as the pivot drive  78  rotates, the eccentrically mounted roller  94  moves through the slotted opening  96  pivoting the entirety of the housing  76  relative to the dressing mount  60 . 
     A dressing wheel drive  79  (also known as, e.g., indexing drive  79 ) is mounted to rotationally move the dressing wheel  64 . The dressing wheel drive  79  is an indexing drive, such as an indexing motor, to incrementally rotate the wheel  64  a fixed amount (e.g., through a predetermined angle) at a given time. For example, it may be desired to rotate the wheel  74  ten degrees when beginning a new dressing cycle to expose the blade  24  to a fresh or unused portion of the wheel  74 . In this case, the indexing motor  79  will actuate to rotate the wheel  74  that desired incremental amount. 
     The dressing assembly  58  can be operated in an automatic mode (executed by the controller  20  of the saw  10  or a separate controller) in which it dresses the rotating blade  24  by controlling the dressing drives  78 ,  79  at specified intervals, such as time, or in a manual mode in which an operator commences the dressing cycle. The dressing assembly  58  is configured to operate by pivoting the housing  76  (and thus the dressing wheel  74 ) into and out of contact with the blade  24 . The dressing wheel  74  can be moved into contact with the blade  24  based on time, number of cycles, or any other desired parameter, during a cutting cycle or off-cycle. Moreover, the dressing wheel  74  can be indexed at any time as well, by pivoting the housing  76  to the non-contact position and indexing the wheel  74 . The wheel can then be pivoted back into contact with the blade  24  as desired. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 13A-17B , the saw  10  includes a novel sample clamping assembly  100  to hold a sample in place in the saw  10 . Unlike known clamping systems that require tools to secure a sample in a location on the saw for cutting, the present sample clamping assembly  100  is a tool-less system, in which the sample can be clamped in a saddle and secured in place on the saw using a click-lock system without the use of tools. The sample clamping system  100  includes one or more rails  102  mounted to the base  14 , a sample mount  104  that cooperates with a rail  102  and a vise or saddle  106 . The saddle  106  is mounted to sample mount  104  and supports the sample. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3, 13A-13B, and 14  in an embodiment the saw  10  includes a pair of rails  102  parallel to and spaced from one another on the base  14  of the saw  10 . The rails  102  are mounted in mirror image relation to one another. The rails  102  include a main body  108 , a lip  110  extending from an upper portion  112  of the main body  108  on one side and a recess  114  on an opposite side of the main body  108 , below the upper portion  112 . An upper ledge  116  of the lip  110  is rounded, and an upper wall  118  between a top surface  120  and the recess  114  is angled downwardly as it approaches the recess  114 . The rails  102  include aligning pin openings  122  and fasteners openings  124  to receive aligning pins  126  and fasteners  128  to align and secure the rails  102  on the base  14 . 
     The sample mount  104  is illustrated in  FIGS. 13A-13B and 15A-14B  and includes a base  130  that secures to one of the rails  102 , and in an embodiment, an upstanding post  132  to which the saddle  106  is secured. The post  132  can be secured to the base  130  by, for example, a fastener  134 . 
     The base  130  of the sample mount  104  includes a channel  136  defined by a long leg  138  and a short leg  140 . The short leg  140  has an inwardly oriented lip  142 . The lip  142  extends inwardly of the channel  136 . Biased ball detents  144  are positioned the long leg  138 , opposite of the lip  142 . The ball detents  144  are biased outwardly of the long leg  138  (or inwardly of the channel  136 ). As seen in  FIG. 15B , the mount  130  is removably positioned on (i.e., secured to) the rail  102  by holding the base  130  at an angle and engaging the inwardly oriented lip  142  on the short leg  140  with the rail lip  110 . As the lips  142 ,  110  are engaged, the sample mount  104  is urged (rotated) downwardly such that the biased ball detents  144  pass over the angled upper wall  118 . As the ball detents  144  pass over the wall  118  they engage and lock into the recess  114  on the rail  102 . In this position, illustrated in  FIG. 13B , the sample mount  104  is secured to the rail  102 . 
     The vise or saddle  106  is mounted to the upstanding post  132  to which the sample is secured. An embodiment of the saddle  106  is illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17A-17B . The saddle  106  includes a base  146 , a movable center bar  148  and a clamp  150 . In an embodiment, the base  146  includes threaded openings  152  in which fasteners  155  (illustrated in  FIG. 15B ) are positioned to mount the saddle base  146  to the post  132  of the sample mount  104 . 
     The center bar  148  and the clamp  150  are mounted to the saddle base  146  by a pair of fasteners  154 , such as the illustrated shoulder bolts that are threaded into the openings  156  in the base  146 . The movable center bar  148  includes a pair of openings  158  through which the bolts  154  extend. The center bar  148  moves freely along the bolts  154 . The clamp  150  includes a pair of U-shaped cut-outs  160  configured to receive the bolts  154 . As illustrated in  FIG. 17A , the U-shaped cut-outs  160  have a countersunk region  162  at an upper end of the cut-outs  160  and an insert  164  that extends along a portion of the one of the sides of the cut-out  160 . The countersunk region  162  is sized and configured to receive the head of the bolt  154 , but not allow the bolt head to pass beyond the countersunk region  162 . In an embodiment, the insert  164  is formed from a resilient material, such as a suitable polymeric material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example TEFLON®, that allows the shank of the bolt  154  to be inserted into the U-shaped cut-out  160  from the side, and retains the bolt  154  shank in place in the cut-out  160 . This arrangement allows the clamp  150  to be removed from the bolts  154 , without tools and without the need to fully unthread the bolts  154 . The clamp  150  can include a shaped region, such as the illustrated V-shaped region  166  for receiving and securing the sample. 
     The saddle  106  includes a threaded rod  168  that threads into the base  146  and bears against the moveable center bar  148 . As the rod  168  is threaded toward the center bar  148 , it exerts a force on the bar  148  to move the bar  148  toward the clamp  150  to secure the sample between the bar  148  and the clamp  150 . In an embodiment, the threaded rod  168  includes an adjusting knob  170 , such as the illustrated knurled knob to facilitate threading the rod  168  into and out of engagement with the movable center bar  148 . In an embodiment, the saddle base  146  includes a threaded bore  157  extending fully though the base  146  such that the rod  168  extends fully though the base  146 . In this embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the knob  170  is mounted to the rod  168  below the saddle base  146  (or opposite the clamp  150 ). 
     An alternate embodiment of the saddle is a double saddle  106 ′, illustrated in  FIG. 18 , that includes a pair of clamps  150 , each clamp  150  being mounted to the moveable center bar  148 ′ and saddle base  146 ′ by a pair of shoulder bolts  154 . In such an embodiment, one center bar  148 ′ can be configured to cooperate with both clamps  150  and a single threaded rod  168  can be used to move the center bar  148 ′ into and out of engagement with the clamps  150 . Such a double saddle  106 ′ may be used with larger samples. The double saddle  106 ′ can include the adjusting knob  170  mounted below the saddle base  146 ′ opposite the clamps  150  or between the center bar  148 ′ and the base  146 ′. 
     The saw  10  can include a manual spray  181 , illustrated in  FIG. 1 , for rinsing within the cutting region  50  and an automatic spray (through nozzle  185  and fluid conduit [not shown], illustrated  FIG. 3 ) to provide rinse/lubricating/cooling fluid to the blade  24  and sample during cutting operations. The position of the automated spray nozzle  185  is adjustable along support  187 . The nozzle  185  is secured in position by knob  189 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 19-21 , the saw  10  includes a novel fluid reservoir recirculation system  176  that separates and entraps debris and swarf from the rinse fluid. The reservoir system  176  includes a basin  178 , a pump  180  and reservoir quick connect connections  182 ,  184  for the pump  180 , and may include debris screens  186 .  FIG. 20  illustrates the reservoir connections  182 ,  184  next to receiving connections  206 ,  208  (demonstrably removed from the receiving area  204  of the base  14  of the saw  10 ). The reservoir quick connect connection  182  connects to receiving quick connect connection  208 , and both are fluid connectors providing an outlet for the pump  180 . The reservoir quick connect connection  184  connects to receiving quick connect connection  206 , and both are electrical connectors providing power to the pump  180 . 
     The basin includes a system of decreasing height weirs  188   a - d  from an inlet  190  to an outlet  192 . The weirs  188   a - d  extend fully across a width of the basin  178  to define sections  194   a - e  within the basin  178 . The weirs  188  extend upwardly along, but not to the top of the sidewalls  196  of the basin  178 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 19-21 , weir  188   a  is the upstream weir (i.e., the tallest) and weir  188   d  is the downstream weir (i.e., the shortest). Unlike known system which use a serpentine wall arrangement, the reservoir system  176  of the present invention uses a series of differing height weirs  188   a - d  provide an overflow path for the fluid which better facilitates settling of debris within the basin  178 . The basin  178  includes a cover  198  having a catch basket  200  with an inlet screen  202  at the inlet side  190  of the basin  178 . The pump  180  is positioned in the basin  178  at the outlet  192  and takes suction directly from the basin  178 . 
     The reservoir system  176  is positioned in a receiving section  204  (illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) of the base  14  of the saw  10 . The pump fluid and electrical connections  182 ,  184  are quick connect fittings. That is power is provided to the pump  180  via reservoir connection  184  from receiving connection  206  internal to the base  14 . Likewise, the pump  180  discharges rinse fluid into the housing  12  (via the nozzle  185  and/or spray  181 ) via reservoir connection  182  on the basin  178  to the receiving connection  208  internal to the base  14 . In this manner, the reservoir system  176  is slid into the base  14  of the saw  10 , and when in position, is connected to power supply and fluid discharge without any connections being made by the operator. 
     The decreasing height weirs  188  allow flow from one section  194  to the next downstream section, but reduce the turbulence of the flow through the basin  178 . This in turn allows the debris and swarf to better separate from the fluid and settle out in the basin  178  which reduces the amount of debris and swarf (and solids generally) that may be drawn into the pump  180 , thus reducing the wear on the pump  180 . 
     The controller  20  is configured to facilitate easy setup, monitoring and operation, as well as changes to operating parameters of the saw  10 . The controller  20  can be configured to allow all or some of the functions or operation of the saw  10  in an automatic mode or in a manual mode. The graphical user interface (GUI)  22  is illustrated in  FIG. 22 . The GUI  22  includes a series of pictorial elements for setup and operation of the saw  10 . In an embodiment, the pictorial elements include an icon or like picture representing an operator set point for a specific action. In an embodiment, the GUI  22  is a touch panel  210  (illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) that allows for direct adjustment of the various saw functions. 
     The controller  20  is for example, but not limited to, a processor, multiprocessor, microcontroller, or another suitable programmable device. The controller  20  includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control, and protection to components within the saw  10 . In some embodiments, the controller  20  includes, among other things, a control unit, an arithmetic logic unit, and a plurality of registers. In some embodiments, the controller  20  is partially or entirely on a semiconductor such as, for example, but not limited to, a field-programmable gate array chip. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the GUI  22  includes a first touch region  212  (referred to as buttons), for menu commands, alternating between screens and save and file options. Additional buttons may include a smart cut button  214 , a coolant on/off button  216 , a cut position button  218 , an automatic blade dressing button  220 , a motor load indicator  222 , a coordinates button  224 , a blade speed button  226 , a feed rate button  228 , a cut length button  230 , a button  232  to manually commence blade dressing, an estimated time remaining indicator  234  and program stop, pause and play buttons  236 ,  238  and  240 . All of the buttons provide commands to the saw  10  through the controller  20 . Alternate menu screens may provide for menu commands, such as settings information, machine information, and error logs as well as settings, such as lighting, laser sight on/off, the units used (English/Metric), language and reservoir system settings. 
     In addition to the user operation through the GUI  22 , referring to  FIG. 2 , in an embodiment, the control panel  18  includes a power on/off switch  242 , an emergency stop switch  244  and joy stick controllers  246 ,  248  for adjusting the location of the rotating blade  24 . In an embodiment, the joy stick controllers can include a first controller  246  for controlling both the x- and z-axis location of the blade  24  and a second controller  248  for controlling the y-axis location of the blade  24 . It will be appreciated that such a control system which uses pictorial elements to represent saw  10  functions improves the ability to setup and control the saw  10  in multi-lingual applications. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize the programming necessary to effectuate operation and control of the systems, and will appreciate the numerous other ways in which the systems&#39; controls can operate. 
     In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular. 
     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover all such modifications as fall within its scope.