Methods and apparatus for forming a pierce hole in a workpiece
US11504794B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 2, 2020 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05H1/36
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods for forming pierce holes in a metal workpiece are disclosed. According to one implementation, upon a plasma torch be energized, the cutting axis of the torch is rotated repeatedly between first and second angular positions to produce successively deeper pierces in a workpiece until a pierce hole is produced through a thickness of the workpiece. According to other implementations pierce holes are produced by rotating the cutting axis of the plasma torch tip around a designated central axis of the pierce hole in a diametrically reducing manner so that the produced pierce hole has a tapered profile with a cross-sectional area of the pierce hole at a top surface of the workpiece being greater than a cross-sectional area of the pierced hole at a bottom surface of the workpiece.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.