Band saws and band saw blades

Abstract

Efficient cutting is performed using a band saw blade. [Solution] The band saw machine 1 is equipped with a band saw blade 100 mounted for free movement, with multiple teeth 121 having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch, a saw head 20 that cuts the workpiece W with the band saw blade 100 while moving in a cutting direction F2, and a vibration mechanism that vibrates the band saw blade 100 in the cutting direction F2. The vibration period of the band saw blade 100 caused by the vibration mechanism satisfies the relationship T = k × (P / V), where T is the vibration period, P is the functional pitch, V is the traveling speed at which the band saw blade 100 travels, and k is a coefficient consisting of a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c (c: natural number).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a band saw machine and a band saw blade. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a band saw machine equipped with a vibration imparting means for imparting vibration to the band saw blade in the cutting direction of the workpiece. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-062073 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although efficient cutting can be achieved by using the technique of Patent Document 1, there is a demand for even more efficient cutting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A first aspect of one or more embodiments is a band saw machine including: a saw head having a band saw blade, which has multiple teeth with the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch, mounted so as to be freely movable, and which cuts a workpiece with the band saw blade while moving in the cutting direction; and a vibration mechanism that vibrates the band saw blade in the cutting direction. The vibration period of the band saw blade caused by the vibration mechanism satisfies the following formula: T=k×(P / V) Here, T is the vibration period, P is the functional pitch, V is the traveling speed of the band saw blade, and k is a coefficient consisting of a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c (c: natural number).

[0006] A second aspect of one or more embodiments is a band saw machine including a saw head having a band saw blade, which has multiple teeth with the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch, mounted for free movement and which cuts a workpiece with the band saw blade while moving in the cutting direction, and a vibration mechanism that vibrates the band saw blade in the cutting direction. When m is an integer of 2 or greater, the vibration amplitude of the band saw blade caused by the vibration mechanism satisfies the following formula: A>m(m-1)D / 2 (m≧3) A≧5D (m=2) Here, A is the vibration amplitude, and D is the distance that the saw head moves in the cutting direction while the band saw blade moves a distance equal to the functional pitch in the traveling direction.

[0007] A third aspect of one or more embodiments is a band saw blade that is slidably attached to a saw head of a band saw machine and cuts a workpiece as the saw head moves in a cutting direction, the band saw blade comprising: a body portion extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the band width direction; and a saw tooth portion provided on one edge of the body portion, with multiple teeth having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch. The other edge of the body portion, the saw back portion, comprises concave valleys and convex peaks alternately arranged along the longitudinal direction of the body portion. The spacing Lpp between peaks on the saw back satisfies the following mathematical formula: Lpp=k×P Here, P is the functional pitch, and k is a coefficient consisting of a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c (c: natural number).

[0008] A fourth aspect of one or more embodiments is a band saw blade that is slidably attached to the saw head of a band saw machine and cuts a workpiece as the saw head moves in the cutting direction, and includes a body portion extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the band width direction, and a saw tooth portion provided on one edge of the body portion, with multiple teeth having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch. The other edge of the body portion, the saw back portion, has concave valleys and convex peaks alternately arranged along the longitudinal direction of the body portion. When m is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the height H of the peaks and valleys of the saw back satisfies the following mathematical formula: H≧5D (m=2) H≧m(m-1)D / 2 (m≧3) Here, D is the distance that the saw head moves in the cutting direction while the band saw blade moves a distance equal to the functional pitch in the traveling direction.

[0009] A fifth aspect of one or more embodiments is a band saw blade that is slidably attached to the saw head of a band saw machine and cuts a workpiece as the saw head moves in the cutting direction, the band saw blade comprising: a body portion extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the band width direction; and a sawtooth portion provided on one edge of the body portion, with multiple teeth having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch. The saw back, which is the other edge of the body portion, has concave valleys and convex peaks alternately arranged along the longitudinal direction of the body. When m is an integer of 2 or greater, the height H of the peaks and valleys of the saw back satisfies the following formula: H-(XR-XB)≧5D (m=2) H-(XR-XB)≧m(m-1)D / 2 (m≧3) Here, D is the distance that the saw head moves in the cutting direction while the band saw blade moves a distance equal to the functional pitch in the traveling direction, and XR and XB are expressed by the following equations. XR=((1 / cosθh)-1)×Rr XB=((1 / cosθh)-1)×Rb Here, Rr is the radius of the backup roller provided on the saw head and brought into contact with the saw spine of the band saw blade, and Rb is the radius of curvature given to the peaks and valleys of the saw spine.

[0010] A sixth aspect of one or more embodiments is a band saw blade that is slidably mounted on a saw head of a band saw machine and cuts a workpiece as the saw head moves in a cutting direction, the band saw blade comprising: a body portion extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the band width direction; and a sawtooth portion provided on one edge of the body portion and having a plurality of teeth having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch. A code that can be read by a reading device provided in the band saw machine is written on the body portion, and the band saw machine identifies the functional pitch from the code read by the reading device and vibrates the band saw blade in the cutting direction based on a vibration period determined from the functional pitch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one or more embodiments of the band saw machine and band saw blade, cutting is performed intermittently, with each tooth periodically separating from the workpiece, thereby enabling efficient cutting. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a band saw according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main parts of the band saw. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how a two-dimensional code is read by a reading device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing vibration cutting using a band saw blade. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the movement loci of the tips of the first to fourth teeth when cutting a workpiece. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the movement loci of the tips of the first to fourth teeth when cutting a workpiece. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the movement loci of the tips of the first to fourth teeth when cutting a workpiece. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an integer m and a natural number n that result in interrupted cutting. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the movement loci of the tips of the first to third teeth when the integer m is 2. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the magnification of the vibration amplitude relative to the cutting depth and the cutting distance reduction rate. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the movement loci of the tips of the first to fourth teeth when the integer m is 3. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between the magnification of the vibration amplitude relative to the cutting depth and the cutting distance reduction rate. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a band saw blade having a saw blade group consisting of multiple teeth with different functions. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a band saw blade registration screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the selection screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing band saw blade information recorded in a table in the storage device. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the shape of the band saw blade and the saw spine. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the movement loci of the tips of the first to fourth teeth when cutting a workpiece. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the relationship between the radius of curvature of the peaks and valleys set on the saw spine and the radius of the backup roller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a band saw machine and a band saw blade according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a band saw machine 1 according to a first embodiment. In this specification, the left-right direction, the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction are used as definitions of directions. The left-right direction and the front-rear direction correspond to two directions that are orthogonal to the horizontal direction, and the up-down direction corresponds to the vertical direction. In FIG. 1, the front-rear direction corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the paper surface. These directions are used merely for convenience in describing the band saw machine 1 according to this embodiment.

[0015] The band saw 1 includes a base 10, a saw head 20, and a control device 50.

[0016] The base 10 is provided on the installation surface 5. A vice device 15 for fixing the workpiece W is provided on the upper surface of the base 10. The workpiece W, which extends in the front-rear direction, is fixed by the vice device 15. The base 10 is provided with a columnar guide post (not shown) that extends in the up-down direction. A saw head 20 is supported on the guide post so that it can move up and down freely.

[0017] The saw head 20 has a drive wheel 21, a driven wheel 22, a head drive unit (not shown), a first saw blade guide 25, and a second saw blade guide .

[0018] The saw head 20 includes a beam member 30 extending in the left-right direction, and housing main bodies 31 and 32 are provided on both left-right sides of the beam member 30. A drive wheel 21 rotated by a drive motor 23 is rotatably provided on one housing main body 31. A driven wheel 22 is rotatably provided on the other housing main body 32.

[0019] An endless band saw blade 100 is stretched across the drive wheel 21 and the driven wheel 22. The position of at least one of the drive wheel 21 and the driven wheel 22 is adjusted so that a predetermined tension acts on the band saw blade 100. When cutting a workpiece W, the band saw blade 100 travels counterclockwise in FIG. 1 as the drive wheel 21 rotates. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the travel of the band saw blade 100 refers to moving the band saw blade 100 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1, i.e., in the direction in which the workpiece W is cut.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the band saw blade 100 includes a body portion 110 and a sawtooth portion 120. The body portion 110 is a band-shaped member having a constant width in the band width direction and extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the band width direction. The body portion 110 is formed of a high-strength material, such as spring steel. The sawtooth portion 120 is provided on one edge portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the body portion 110. The sawtooth portion 120 is composed of a plurality of teeth 121 arranged along the edge portion of the body portion 110. The saw spine 115, which is the other edge portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the body portion 110, is formed linearly.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the head drive unit is an actuator for moving the saw head 20 in the up and down direction. The saw head 20 moves downward when driven by the head drive unit. When the saw head 20 moves downward, the band saw blade 100 moves in a direction approaching the workpiece W. The downward direction, which is one of the movement directions of the saw head 20, corresponds to the cutting direction in which the band saw blade 100 cuts the workpiece W. The saw head 20 also moves upward when driven by the head drive unit. When the saw head 20 moves upward, the band saw blade 100 moves in a direction away from the workpiece W.

[0022] The first saw blade guide 25 and the second saw blade guide 26 are supported by a beam member 30 and are arranged spaced apart in the left-right direction. The second saw blade guide 26 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction so as to move in accordance with the size of the workpiece W. The first saw blade guide 25 is fixed to the beam member 30. When the band saw machine 1 is viewed from the front, the first saw blade guide 25 is located to the right of the workpiece W, and the second saw blade guide 26 is located to the left of the workpiece W.

[0023] The first and second saw blade guides 25, 26 guide the lower band saw blade 100 as it travels from the driven wheel 22 toward the drive wheel 21. Between the first and second saw blade guides 25, 26, the band saw blade 100 is twisted vertically so that the tips of the teeth 121 face downward. In this embodiment, the lower band saw blade 100 extends parallel to the left-right direction, and the traveling direction F1 corresponds to the left-right direction. However, the traveling direction of the lower band saw blade 100 does not need to be parallel to the left-right direction and may be inclined relative to the left-right direction.

[0024] 2, the first and second saw blade guides 25, 26 function as vibration mechanisms that vibrate the band saw blade 100, and are equipped with vibration mechanisms 25a, 26a. The vibration mechanisms 25a, 26a have the same configuration in both the first saw blade guide 25 and the second saw blade guide 26. The vibration mechanism 25a provided in the first saw blade guide 25 will be described below.

[0025] The vibration mechanism 25a is in contact with the saw spine 115 of the body 110 of the band saw blade 100. The vibration mechanism 25a applies vibration to the band saw blade 100 in the cutting direction (band width direction). In this embodiment, the vibration mechanism 25a applies vibration to the band saw blade 100, causing the band saw blade 100 to vibrate in the cutting direction. The vibration mechanism 25a includes an actuator for applying vibration to the band saw blade 100, and operates under the control of the control device 50. The point at which the vibration mechanism 25a applies vibration to the band saw blade 100 is called the vibration point.

[0026] The vibration mechanism 25a of the first saw blade guide 25 abuts against the saw spine 115 on the right side of the workpiece W. The vibration mechanism 26a of the second saw blade guide 26 abuts against the saw spine 115 on the left side of the workpiece W. The vibration points of the vibration mechanisms 25a, 26a are set outside the workpiece W in the left-right direction.

[0027] 1, the control device 50 controls the band saw machine 1 based on a machining program and the like. The control device 50 is configured by a computer and has a storage device that stores the machining program and the like, and a processor such as a CPU that executes the machining program. In this embodiment, the control device 50 controls the vibration mechanisms 25a, 26a to control the vibration period applied to the band saw blade 100.

[0028] An operation panel 51 is connected to the control device 50. The operation panel 51 is provided with a display and an input device. The display is controlled by the control device 50 and displays information necessary for operating the band saw blade 100. The input device is composed of a touch panel arranged on the display and operation switches, etc., and operation information input by the operator into the input device is output to the control device 50. The operator can operate the band saw machine 1 by operating the input device.

[0029] A reading device 60 is connected to the control device 50. The reading device 60 is disposed near the upper band saw blade 100 that travels from the drive wheel 21 toward the driven wheel 22. The reading device 60 can obtain information embodied in the two-dimensional code 130 by reading the two-dimensional code 130 written on the band saw blade 100. The information obtained by the reading device 60 is output to the control device 50.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the reading device 60 is disposed inside a cover 35 of the band saw blade 100. An opening 36 is provided in a part of the cover 35, and the reading device 60 can read the two-dimensional code 130 written on the band saw blade 100 through the opening 36. The cover 35 is provided with a sliding lid 37 for opening and closing the opening 36. When reading of the two-dimensional code 130 by the reading device 60 is not required, the opening 36 is closed by the lid 37. This makes it possible to prevent the reading device 60 from becoming soiled or damaged.

[0031] 1, in the band saw machine 1, once the workpiece W is positioned in the front-to-rear direction, the workpiece W is fixed by the vice device 15. Under the control of the control device 50, the drive wheel 21 is rotated to run the band saw blade 100, and the saw head 20 is moved downward, thereby cutting the workpiece W. When cutting the workpiece W, vibrations are applied to the band saw blade 100 by the vibration mechanisms 25a, 26a (vibration cutting).

[0032] The concept of vibration cutting according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4. In the following description, it is assumed that all of the teeth 121 constituting the saw-tooth portion 120 are of the same type. The same type of teeth 121 means that the shapes of the teeth 121, i.e., the functions of the teeth 121, are the same. When a workpiece W is cut from the same position under the same cutting conditions using multiple teeth 121 with the same function, the cutting marks left on the workpiece W by each tooth 121 will be exactly the same. It is also assumed that the tooth tip spacing (hereinafter referred to as "functional pitch") of each tooth 121 is the same (equal pitch).

[0033] For ease of explanation, four consecutive teeth 121 are extracted from the multiple teeth 121 that make up the saw-tooth portion 120, and these teeth 121 are referred to as a first tooth Tf1, a second tooth Tf2, a third tooth Tf3, and a fourth tooth Tf4. The first tooth Tf1 is the preceding tooth 121, and the second tooth Tf2, the third tooth Tf3, and the fourth tooth Tf4 are arranged in order after the first tooth Tf1.

[0034] When cutting the workpiece W, the band saw blade 100 moves in the traveling direction F1 and the cutting direction F2. First, the first tooth Tf1 starts cutting the workpiece W, and as the band saw blade 100 moves in the traveling direction F1 and the cutting direction F2, the second tooth Tf2 starts cutting the workpiece W. Similarly, the third tooth Tf3 and the fourth tooth Tf4 also start cutting the workpiece W in turn.

[0035] 5 to 7 show the movement trajectories of the tips of the first to fourth teeth Tf1 to Tf4 when cutting the workpiece W. Note that in actual machining, the movement in the cutting direction F2 is smaller than the movement in the running direction F1, but in the figures the movement amount in the cutting direction F2 is shown larger than the movement amount in the running direction F1.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows the movement trajectory of the tooth tips when performing normal cutting, i.e., cutting without applying vibration to the band saw blade 100. In the case of normal cutting, if movement in the cutting direction F2 is ignored, the movement trajectory of the tooth tips of the first tooth Tf1 and the subsequent second tooth Tf2 is the same. Similarly, the movement trajectory of the tooth tips of the second tooth Tf2 and the subsequent third tooth Tf3 is also the same, and the movement trajectory of the tooth tips of the third tooth Tf3 and the subsequent fourth tooth Tf4 is also the same. In normal cutting, continuous cutting is performed in which all teeth Tf1 to Tf4 continuously cut from the left end to the right end of the workpiece W.

[0037] Next, the movement trajectory of the tooth tip in vibration cutting will be explained. As shown in Figure 4, in vibration cutting, vibration points are set on the left and right. The left and right vibration points vibrate at the same period. In this case, the left and right vibration points may vibrate at the same phase or with a half-period phase shift. Furthermore, the left and right vibration points may vibrate neither in phase nor in opposite phase. The band saw blade 100 moves up and down in accordance with the vibration period of the vibration points. The up and down movement of the band saw blade 100 due to the application of vibration is determined by the superposition of the vibration waveforms of the left and right vibration points. In this explanation, it is assumed that the left and right vibration points are vibrated at the same phase. In this case, the vibration of the band saw blade 100 in the cutting direction will be the same as the vibration of the left and right vibration points in the cutting direction.

[0038] First, let the functional pitch be "P" and the vibration period for vibrating the band saw blade 100 in the cutting direction be "T." If the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to travel a distance (= P) equal to the functional pitch in the traveling direction F1 is the same as the vibration period, the band saw blade 100 will vibrate for one period while it moves a distance equal to the functional pitch.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, when the first tooth Tf1 starts cutting the workpiece W, the first tooth Tf1 is located at the left end of the workpiece W. If the band saw blade 100 is located at the upper peak of the vibration amplitude when the first tooth Tf1 is located at the left end of the workpiece W, the movement trajectory of the tip of the first tooth Tf1 will be as shown in FIG. 6. When one vibration cycle has elapsed since the first tooth Tf1 started cutting the workpiece W, the second tooth Tf2 is located at the left end of the workpiece W. Since the band saw blade 100 also vibrates for one cycle, when the second tooth Tf2 reaches the left end of the workpiece W, the band saw blade 100 will be located at the upper peak of the vibration amplitude. Therefore, if movement in the cutting direction is ignored, the movement trajectories of the tip of the first tooth Tf1 and the tip of the second tooth Tf2 on the workpiece W will be the same. In this specification, the relationship between teeth whose movement trajectories of the tip of the tooth on the workpiece W are the same is referred to as "in-phase." The first tooth Tf1 is also in the same phase as the third tooth Tf3, and similarly, is also in the same phase as the fourth tooth Tf4.

[0040] Next, the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to move a distance (=P) equal to the functional pitch in the traveling direction F1 is assumed to be half the vibration period. The band saw blade 100 vibrates for one period while moving a distance (=2P) twice the functional pitch in the traveling direction F1.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, when the first tooth Tf1 starts cutting the workpiece W, the first tooth Tf1 is located at the left end of the workpiece W. If the band saw blade 100 is located at the lower peak of the vibration amplitude when the first tooth Tf1 is located at the left end of the workpiece W, the movement trajectory of the tip of the first tooth Tf1 will be as shown in FIG. 7. When half the vibration period (=(1 / 2)T) has elapsed since the first tooth Tf1 started cutting the workpiece W, the second tooth Tf2 is located at the left end of the workpiece W. Since the band saw blade 100 also vibrates for 1 / 2 the period, when the second tooth Tf2 reaches the left end of the workpiece W, the band saw blade 100 will be located at the upper peak of the vibration amplitude. Therefore, if movement in the cutting direction is ignored, the movement trajectories of the tip of the second tooth Tf2 and the tip of the first tooth Tf1 on the workpiece W will be opposite. In this specification, a relationship between teeth in which the movement trajectories of the tip of the tooth on the workpiece W are opposite is referred to as "opposite phase."

[0042] When half the vibration period has elapsed since the second tooth Tf2 started cutting the workpiece W, the third tooth Tf3 is positioned at the left end of the workpiece W. Because the band saw blade 100 also vibrates for half the period, when the third tooth Tf3 reaches the left end of the workpiece W, the band saw blade 100 is positioned at the lower peak of the vibration amplitude. Therefore, if movement in the cutting direction is ignored, the movement trajectories of the tooth tips on the workpiece W of the third tooth Tf3 and the first tooth Tf1 are the same, so the third tooth Tf3 and the first tooth Tf1 are in phase. Similarly, the movement trajectories of the tooth tips on the workpiece W of the fourth tooth Tf4 and the second tooth Tf2 are the same. Therefore, the second tooth Tf2 and the fourth tooth Tf4 are in phase, and the first tooth Tf1 and the fourth tooth Tf4 are in antiphase.

[0043] 6, when the first tooth Tf1 and the second tooth Tf2 behind the first tooth Tf1 are in phase with each other, the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to move a distance (=P) equal to the functional pitch is the same as the vibration period of the band saw blade 100. If the running speed of the band saw blade 100 (hereinafter referred to as "saw speed") is "V", the following equation 1 holds. T=P / V (1)

[0044] When the band saw blade 100 is vibrated at the vibration period of Equation 1, the preceding tooth 121 and the succeeding tooth 121 move along the same trajectory. In this case, all teeth 121 perform continuous cutting from the left end to the right end of the workpiece W. This results in a cutting pattern that is essentially the same as normal cutting, and the effects of reducing cutting resistance and cutting distance cannot be expected.

[0045] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7, when the leading tooth 121 and the next following tooth 121 are in an anti-phase relationship, intermittent cutting occurs, in which each tooth 121 periodically moves away from the workpiece W and performs cutting intermittently. In the case of intermittent cutting, the number of teeth 121 involved in cutting at any given moment decreases. As a result, the average cutting resistance is reduced compared to normal cutting, and the actual cutting distance of each tooth 121 is reduced, thereby suppressing tooth tip wear.

[0046] Therefore, the vibration period that results in interrupted cutting will be examined below.

[0047] In the case of intermittent cutting, the cutting depth per tooth is greater than in normal cutting where vibration is not applied, so the cutting depth of each tooth 121 is made as small as possible. When a given tooth 121 and a tooth 121 with the same function m behind are in phase, the cutting depth per tooth is m times that when vibration is not applied. In other words, the smaller m is, the smaller the cutting depth, and therefore the smaller the load on the tooth tip. Below, the first tooth Tf1 is used as an example of a given tooth 121.

[0048] When m=1, the tooth 121 immediately following the first tooth Tf1, ie, the second tooth Tf2, which has the same function as the first tooth Tf1, is in the same phase as the first tooth Tf1, which results in continuous cutting and is therefore unsuitable.

[0049] When m=2, the tooth two teeth after the first tooth Tf1 that has the same function as the first tooth Tf1, i.e., the third tooth Tf3, is in phase with the first tooth Tf1. Because the functional pitch P of each tooth is the same, the tooth one tooth after the first tooth Tf1 that has the same function as the first tooth Tf1, i.e., the second tooth Tf2, is in opposite phase. The second tooth Tf2 and the third tooth Tf3, and the third tooth Tf3 and the fourth tooth Tf4 are also in opposite phase.

[0050] The fact that the first tooth Tf1 and the third tooth Tf3 two teeth behind with the same function are in phase means that when the band saw blade 100 moves a distance twice the functional pitch in the traveling direction F1, the band saw blade 100 performs one cycle of vibration. The time (= 2P / V) for the band saw blade 100 to move a distance (= 2P) twice the functional pitch in the traveling direction F1 is one vibration cycle (= T). T=(2P) / V (2)

[0051] As shown in Equation 2, the vibration period can be defined as a function including the functional pitch and saw speed of the band saw blade 100. If the first tooth Tf1 and the next second tooth Tf2 are in opposite phase, the time (=P / V) for the band saw blade 100 to travel a distance (=P) equal to the functional pitch in the traveling direction F1 is half the vibration period (=(1 / 2)T). This relationship is expressed by the same formula as Equation 2.

[0052] When m=3, the first tooth Tf1 and the third tooth 121 with the same function, i.e., the fourth tooth Tf4, are in phase. The time (=3P / V) for the band saw blade 100 to move a distance three times the functional pitch (=3P) in the traveling direction F1 is one vibration period (=T). T=(3P) / V (3)

[0053] In this case, there is no tooth 121 that is in the opposite phase to the first tooth Tf1. The second and third teeth Tf2 and Tf3, whose tip movements are shifted by 1 / 3 vibration period from the preceding tooth 121, are included between the first tooth Tf1 and the fourth tooth Tf4. In this case as well, each of the teeth Tf1 to Tf4 performs intermittent cutting.

[0054] The further the tooth in phase with the first tooth Tf1 is shifted, such as two, three, or four teeth behind the first tooth Tf1, the longer the time during which cutting is not performed. As a result, the cutting distance per tooth becomes shorter, but the depth of cut per tooth increases to two, three, or four times that of normal cutting. In other words, it is desirable to set m in accordance with the tooth tip strength of the band saw blade 100.

[0055] In this way, by satisfying the conditions that a given tooth 121 and two or more teeth 121 thereafter having the same function are in phase, and that a given tooth 121 and one tooth 121 thereafter having the same function are not in phase, it is possible to operate each tooth 121 in intermittent cutting. In other words, a given tooth 121 and m teeth 121 thereafter (m: an integer of 2 or more) having the same function are in phase. In this case, the time (= (m × P) / V) for the band saw blade 100 to move a distance m times the functional pitch (= m × P) in the traveling direction F1 is one vibration period (= T). T = (m × P) / V (4)

[0056] In this case, between any tooth 121 and the mth tooth 121 with the same function, there will be (m-1) teeth 121 whose tip movement locus is shifted by 1 / m vibration period phase from the preceding tooth 121. Increasing m increases the amount of cutting per tooth, but shortens the cutting distance, which helps to reduce wear on the tooth tip. If a large load on each tooth 121 is not a problem, it is possible to increase m and shorten the cutting distance.

[0057] In the above formula 4, one vibration period (=T) is defined as the time (=(m×P) / V) required for the band saw blade 100 to move a distance m times the functional pitch (=m×P) in the traveling direction F1 when any tooth 121 and the tooth 121 m behind with the same function are in phase. However, it does not necessarily have to be one vibration period. However, the vibration period must not be such that any tooth 121 and the tooth 121 one behind with the same function are in phase.

[0058] For example, in the example where m = 2 described above, one vibration cycle is the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to travel a distance twice the functional pitch. If the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to travel a distance twice the functional pitch is defined as two vibration cycles, then 2T = (2P) / V, and T = P / V. This relationship means that one vibration cycle is the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to travel a distance equal to the functional pitch, so any tooth 121 and the tooth 121 immediately following it with the same function will be in phase. Similarly, in the example where m = 3, if the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to travel a distance three times the functional pitch is defined as three vibration cycles, then 3T = 3P / V, i.e., T = P / V. In other words, the condition where T = P / V occurs must be removed.

[0059] The relationship that the time (=(m×P) / V) for the band saw blade 100 to travel a distance m times the functional pitch (=m×P) in the traveling direction F1 is n vibration periods (=n×T) is given by the following equation 5. n×T=(m×P) / V (5)

[0060] From Equation 5, the general equations relating to interrupted cutting can be derived as Equations 6 and 7. T = k × (P / V) (6) k=m / n (7)

[0061] In Equation 7, m is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and n is a natural number excluding the product of natural numbers c and m (=c×m). n ≠ c × m (8)

[0062] Therefore, the coefficient k can be expressed by the natural number c as shown in Equation 9. In other words, the coefficient k is a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c. k≠1 / c (9)

[0063] Figure 8 shows typical values ​​of integer m and natural number n that result in interrupted cutting. In Figure 8, combinations of integer m and natural number n are shown in a matrix. "○" indicates a combination of integer m and natural number n that results in interrupted cutting, and "×" indicates a combination of integer m and natural number n that does not result in interrupted cutting.

[0064] According to this concept, the control device 50 controls the vibration mechanisms 25a and 26a based on the vibration period determined by Equation 6, thereby controlling the vibration period applied to the band saw blade 100. As a result, the band saw machine 1 cuts the workpiece W under conditions that result in intermittent cutting.

[0065] As described above, the band saw machine 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a band saw blade 100 mounted so as to be freely movable, with multiple teeth 121 having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch, a saw head 20 that cuts the workpiece W with the band saw blade 100 while moving in the cutting direction F2, and a vibration mechanism that vibrates the band saw blade 100 in the cutting direction F2. The vibration period of the band saw blade 100 caused by the vibration mechanism satisfies the following mathematical formula: where T is the vibration period, P is the functional pitch, V is the traveling speed at which the band saw blade 100 travels, and k is a coefficient consisting of a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c (c: natural number). T=k×(P / V)

[0066] According to the band saw machine 1 of this embodiment, when focusing on any one of the multiple teeth 121, as the tooth 121 passes from one end (left end) of the workpiece to the opposite end (right end) along the traveling direction F1 of the band saw blade 100, there are times when the tooth tip is cutting the workpiece W and times when the tooth tip is away from the workpiece W, resulting in intermittent cutting.

[0067] In this way, the vibration period, which is a vibration condition, is set within an optimal range, making it possible to perform intermittent cutting regardless of the machining conditions. This reduces the number of teeth 121 involved in cutting at any given moment compared to continuous cutting, thereby reducing cutting resistance and shortening the cutting distance of each tooth 121, thereby suppressing tooth tip wear. Furthermore, intermittent cutting can fragment chips, allowing for efficient cutting.

[0068] Generally, the appropriate number of teeth involved in machining is considered to be 20 to 30. For example, when machining a certain workpiece W, 60 teeth, approximately twice the appropriate number of teeth, may be involved in machining in normal cutting. On the other hand, in vibration cutting, if the phases of the left and right vibration points are shifted by 1 / 2 cycle, the number of teeth 121 involved in machining at any given moment decreases. Therefore, even if the same workpiece W is machined as in normal cutting, the number of teeth 121 involved in machining can be reduced to half, 30 teeth. As a result, even if a band saw blade 100 does not have the appropriate number of teeth in normal cutting, it can be made to have the appropriate number of teeth by applying vibration cutting in which the phases of the left and right vibration points are shifted by 1 / 2 cycle. This allows for a wider range of use for the band saw blade.

[0069] In this embodiment, the coefficient k satisfies the following formula: where m is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and n is a natural number excluding the product of the natural number c and the integer m. k=m / n

[0070] With this configuration, the vibration period, which is a vibration condition, is set within an optimal range, making it possible to perform intermittent cutting regardless of the processing conditions. This makes it possible to obtain the effects of vibration cutting and perform cutting efficiently.

[0071] In this embodiment, the vibration mechanism includes vibration mechanisms 25a and 26a that apply vibration to the saw spine 115 of the band saw blade 100. The saw spine 115 of the band saw blade 100 has a linear shape.

[0072] According to this configuration, the vibration mechanisms 25a and 26a apply vibration to the saw spine 115, thereby vibrating the band saw blade 100 at an appropriate vibration period, thereby achieving vibration cutting.

[0073] In the above description, the left and right vibration points are vibrated in the same phase, but the left and right vibration points may also be vibrated in opposite phases (a phase shift of 1 / 2 cycle). When the phases are shifted by 1 / 2 cycle, the movement of the band saw blade 100 changes depending on the distance from the vibration points. Also, the left and right vibration points may be vibrated neither in the same phase nor in opposite phases. The vertical movement of the band saw blade 100 caused by the application of vibration to the vibration points is determined by the superposition of the vibration waveforms of the left and right vibration points.

[0074] The intermittent cutting technique shown in the first embodiment described above can be applied regardless of the width of the workpiece W, i.e., the distance from one end (left end) to the other end (right end) of the workpiece W in the traveling direction F1 of the band saw blade 100. However, if the width of the workpiece W is smaller than the distance that the band saw blade 100 moves in the traveling direction F1 in one vibration cycle, there may be an uneven distribution of teeth 121 that cut a significantly large proportion of the workpiece W and teeth 121 that cut a significantly small proportion of the workpiece W.

[0075] Therefore, if the width of the workpiece W is smaller than the distance that the band saw blade 100 moves in the traveling direction F1 in one oscillation cycle, vibration cutting may not be performed. In other words, if the width of the workpiece W is equal to or greater than the distance that the band saw blade 100 moves in the traveling direction F1 in one oscillation cycle, vibration cutting may be performed. For example, the control device 50 may perform control such that vibration cutting is performed when the width of the workpiece W is equal to or greater than the distance that the band saw blade 100 moves in the traveling direction F1 in one oscillation cycle, and normal cutting is performed when the width of the workpiece W is smaller than the distance that the band saw blade 100 moves in the traveling direction F1 in one oscillation cycle.

[0076] In this way, in the band saw machine 1 of this embodiment, when the width of the workpiece W is greater than or equal to the distance that the band saw blade 100 moves in the traveling direction in one vibration cycle, the band saw blade 100 may be vibrated by the vibration mechanisms 25a and 26a, which are vibration mechanisms.

[0077] This configuration clarifies the range in which vibration is applied to the band saw blade 100, preventing vibration cutting from being applied to machining outside the applicable range. This reduces the load acting on the tooth tip and shortens the machining time by increasing the cutting rate.

[0078] (Second embodiment) A band saw machine 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the vibration period applied to the band saw blade 100 was considered, but in the second embodiment, the vibration amplitude applied to the band saw blade 100 will be considered.

[0079] In intermittent cutting, non-cutting areas are intentionally created, so the area machined by any tooth 121 is an area not machined by the tooth 121 preceding this tooth 121. Therefore, in intermittent cutting, the workpiece W is cut with a larger cutting depth per tooth than in normal cutting.

[0080] In vibration cutting, depending on the combination of cutting conditions and vibration conditions, the cutting depth may be several times greater than in normal cutting. The load on tooth 121 increases, potentially resulting in tooth 121 being damaged. For example, if m = 5 and n = 1, tooth 6, which is located five teeth behind tooth 1 and has the same function as tooth 1, moves along the same path as tooth 1. After tooth 1 finishes machining, tooth 6 will machine the area not machined by teeth 2 through 5. Therefore, tooth 6 will machine the depth of cut equivalent to five teeth, which is five times greater than normal cutting.

[0081] The vibration amplitude suitable for interrupted cutting will be discussed below, with the description assuming that an arbitrary tooth 121 is the first tooth Tf1 as shown in FIG.

[0082] First, consider the case where m = 2, that is, the first tooth Tf1 and the third tooth Tf3 two teeth later are in the same phase. Assuming that the tips of the first to third teeth Tf1 to Tf3 move along a linear trajectory, the movement trajectory of the tip of the first tooth Tf1 is as shown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the trajectory of the tooth tip is shown assuming that there is no movement of the tooth tip in the cutting direction F2.

[0083] In FIG. 9, "mP" is the distance that the third tooth Tf3 advances in the running direction F1 in one vibration cycle. "P" is the functional pitch, and "A" is the vibration amplitude. "D" is the cutting depth in normal cutting, that is, the amount of movement that the band saw blade 100 moves in the cutting direction while moving the same distance as the functional pitch. The cutting depth is the same as the distance that the saw head 20 moves downward while the band saw blade 100 moves the same distance as the functional pitch.

[0084] When the angle at the upper peak of the vibration amplitude in the movement trajectory of the tooth tip is 2θ, θ and La shown in FIG. 9 satisfy the following equations 10 and 11. tanθ=(mP / 2) / A ·····(10) La=Dtanθ=PD / 2A ·····(11)

[0085] The sum of the distance LL and the distance LR becomes the distance that the third tooth Tf3 actually performs machining. Each distance LL and LR is as shown in the following equations 12 and 13. LL=(2AP+mPD) / 4A ·····(12) LR=(2AP+mPD) / 4A ·····(13)

[0086] In order to achieve intermittent cutting, it is necessary that LR < P. Therefore, the vibration amplitude needs to satisfy the relationship of the following equation 14. A>mD / 2 ·····(14)

[0087] FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the magnification of the vibration amplitude with respect to the cutting depth (= A / D) and the cutting distance reduction rate. The cutting distance reduction rate is the ratio of the reduced cutting distance compared to normal cutting and is shown by the following equation 15. Cutting distance reduction rate = (mP-(LL+LR)) / mP ····(15)

[0088] Point I in the figure is the minimum vibration amplitude (>mD / 2) at which interrupted cutting occurs. Point II is the vibration amplitude (>m(m-1)D / 2) at which the second tooth Tf2, located between the first tooth Tf1 and the third tooth Tf3, contributes to the reduction in cutting distance. When m=2, Point II is the same as Point I. Point III is the lower limit of the reduction rate of cutting distance (=1-(1 / m)).

[0089] When m=2, point I and point II are the same, so the condition for interrupted cutting is A>D. In other words, the condition for interrupted cutting is that the vibration amplitude exceeds the cutting depth. On the other hand, in the region where the vibration amplitude slightly exceeds the cutting depth, the rate of reduction in cutting distance is small.

[0090] Therefore, we consider a more preferable range for the conditions of interrupted cutting. As will be described later, when m≧3, the cutting distance reduction rate will be 40% or more in the region above point II. Therefore, even when m=2, if a cutting distance reduction rate of 40% or more is used as a benchmark, the appropriate range for a cutting distance reduction rate of 40% or more will be when the multiplier (=A / D) is 5 or more. Therefore, a more preferable condition for vibration amplitude in interrupted cutting is as shown in the following formula 16. A>5D (m=2) (16)

[0091] Next, consider the case where m=3. That is, consider the case where the first tooth Tf1 and the fourth tooth Tf4, which is three teeth after, are in phase. If it is assumed that the tips of the first to fourth teeth Tf1 to Tf4 move along a linear trajectory, the movement trajectories of the tips of the first to fourth teeth Tf1 to Tf4 will have the relationship shown in Figure 11. Note that in Figure 11, for ease of explanation, the trajectory of the tooth tips is expressed as if there is no movement of the tooth tips in the cutting direction F2.

[0092] When the angle of the apex of the movement path of the tooth tip is 2θ, θ, La, and Lb shown in FIG. 11 satisfy the following expressions 17, 18, and 19. tanθ=(mP / 2) / A (17) La=Dtanθ=mPD / 2A (18) Lb=2Dtanθ=mP(2D) / 2A (19)

[0093] The sum of the distance LL and the distance LR is the distance that the fourth tooth Tf4 actually performs machining. The distances LL and LR are expressed by the following equations 20 and 21. LL=(2AP+mP(2D)) / 4A (20) LR=(2AP+mPD) / 4A (21)

[0094] The cutting distance of the fourth tooth Tf4 is affected by the second and third teeth Tf2 and Tf3 located between the first tooth Tf1 and the fourth tooth Tf4. As shown in Figure 11, when the vibration amplitude is equal to or greater than a certain value, the fourth tooth Tf4 is affected by all related teeth (the second and third teeth Tf2 and Tf3 located between them). However, when the vibration amplitude is smaller than a certain value, the number of affected teeth decreases. As the vibration amplitude is reduced, the influence disappears in the order of the second tooth Tf1 and the third tooth Tf3.

[0095] The influence of the second tooth Tf2 disappears when the distance LL is equal to or greater than the functional pitch, as shown in Equation 22. Rearranging Equation 22 yields Equation 23. (2AP+mP(2D)) / 4A≧P (22) A≦mD (23)

[0096] Therefore, when m=3, the relationship between the second and third teeth Tf2 and Tf3 involved in cutting is expressed by the following equation 24. A>mD (24)

[0097] However, regardless of the vibration amplitude, the formula for the distance LR remains the same. Therefore, the condition for interrupted cutting is the same as when m = 2, and is expressed as formula 25. A>mD / 2 (25)

[0098] Figure 12 shows the relationship between the ratio of vibration amplitude to cutting depth (= A / D) and the rate of reduction in cutting distance. Point I in the figure is the minimum vibration amplitude (> mD / 2) at which intermittent cutting occurs. Point II is the minimum vibration amplitude (> mD) at which the second and third teeth Tf2 and Tf3, located between the first tooth Tf1 and the fourth tooth Tf4, contribute to the reduction in cutting distance. Point III is the lower limit of the rate of reduction in cutting distance (= 1 - (1 / m)).

[0099] To perform intermittent cutting, the magnification must exceed point I. Therefore, the condition for vibration cutting is at least A > mD / 2. However, while the magnification is between point I and point II, although intermittent cutting occurs, the second and third teeth Tf2 and Tf3 are not involved in reducing the cutting distance of the fourth tooth Tf4, so the rate of reduction in cutting distance is small. On the other hand, when the magnification exceeds point II, the second and third teeth Tf2 and Tf3 are involved in reducing the cutting distance of the fourth tooth Tf4, so the rate of reduction in cutting distance also increases. As the magnification approaches point III, the cutting distance decreases, but the rate of reduction in the rate of reduction in cutting distance approaches the lower limit, and the rate of reduction in the rate of reduction in cutting distance becomes smaller. Thus, when the magnification is small, the reduction in cutting distance is small, but the amplitude generated by the band saw blade 100 can be small. Conversely, when the magnification is increased, the reduction in cutting distance increases, but the amplitude generated by the band saw blade 100 also increases.

[0100] 11 and 12 show the case where m = 3, but the same applies when m is 4 or more. The condition for intermittent cutting is the same as when m = 3, expressed as Equation 25. Furthermore, the condition for all teeth 121 between the preceding tooth 121 and the m-th tooth 121 with the same function to be involved in cutting can be derived as follows:

[0101] In equation 20, the term that changes with m is mP(2D), which becomes mP((m-1)D). Therefore, the above equation 20 becomes the following equation 26, and the above equation 22 becomes the following equation 27. LL=(2AP+mP((m-1)D)) / 4A ····(26) (2AP+mP((m-1)D)) / 4A≧P ····(27)

[0102] From Equation 27, the condition under which all teeth 121 between the preceding tooth 121 and the m teeth 121 after it with the same function participate in cutting is shown in Equation 28. A>m(m-1)D / 2 (28)

[0103] Therefore, a more preferable condition for the vibration amplitude in interrupted cutting is as shown in the following formula 29. A>m(m-1)D / 2 (m≧3) ·····(29)

[0104] The control device 50 controls the vibration mechanisms 25a, 26a based on the vibration amplitude determined from Equation 16 or Equation 29, thereby controlling the vibration amplitude applied to the band saw blade 100. As a result, the band saw machine 1 cuts the workpiece W under conditions that result in intermittent cutting.

[0105] As described above, the band saw machine 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a band saw blade 100 mounted so as to be freely movable, with multiple teeth 121 having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch, a saw head 20 that cuts the workpiece W with the band saw blade 100 while moving in the cutting direction F2, and a vibration mechanism that vibrates the band saw blade 100 in the cutting direction F2. When m is an integer of 2 or greater, the vibration amplitude of the band saw blade 100 caused by the vibration mechanism satisfies the following mathematical formula: where A is the vibration amplitude and D is the distance that the saw head 20 moves in the cutting direction F2 while the band saw blade 100 moves a distance equal to the functional pitch in the traveling direction F1. A>m(m-1)D / 2 (m≧3) A≧5D (m=2)

[0106] According to the band saw machine 1 of this embodiment, when focusing on any one of the multiple teeth 121, as the tooth 121 passes from one end (left end) of the workpiece to the opposite end (right end) along the traveling direction F1 of the band saw blade 100, there are times when the tooth tip is cutting the workpiece W and times when the tooth tip is away from the workpiece W, resulting in intermittent cutting.

[0107] In this way, the vibration amplitude, which is a vibration condition, is set within an optimal range, making it possible to perform intermittent cutting regardless of the machining conditions. This reduces the number of teeth 121 involved in cutting at any given moment compared to continuous cutting, thereby reducing cutting resistance and shortening the cutting distance of each tooth 121, thereby suppressing tooth tip wear. Intermittent cutting also breaks up chips, allowing for efficient cutting. Additionally, even if a band saw blade 100 does not have the appropriate number of teeth in normal cutting, applying vibration cutting can make it have the appropriate number of teeth. This allows for a wider range of band saw blade uses.

[0108] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of cutting due to the application of vibration, thereby reducing the occurrence of chipping of teeth 121 due to the occurrence of an excessive amount of cutting.

[0109] In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the tip of each tooth 121 moves linearly. However, the concept of vibration amplitude described above can also be applied to cases where the tip of each tooth 121 moves in a curved manner, such as a sine curve.

[0110] The vibration amplitude condition shown in the second embodiment can be used independently, regardless of the vibration period condition shown in the first embodiment.

[0111] However, the vibration amplitude conditions shown in the second embodiment may be used in combination with the vibration period conditions shown in the first embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the vibration period of the band saw blade 100 caused by the vibration mechanism of the band saw machine 1 may satisfy the following mathematical formula: where P is the functional pitch, V is the traveling speed at which the band saw blade travels, and k is a coefficient consisting of a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c (c: natural number). T=k×(P / V)

[0112] With this configuration, the vibration period as well as the vibration amplitude are set within an optimum range, making it possible to perform intermittent cutting regardless of the machining conditions, thereby achieving the above-mentioned effects associated with vibration cutting.

[0113] In this case, the coefficient k may satisfy the following formula: where m is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and n is a natural number excluding the product of the natural number c and the integer m. k=m / n

[0114] With this configuration, the vibration period, which is a vibration condition, is set within an optimal range, making it possible to perform intermittent cutting regardless of the processing conditions. This makes it possible to obtain the effects of vibration cutting and perform cutting efficiently.

[0115] In this embodiment, the vibration mechanism includes vibration mechanisms 25a and 26a that apply vibration to the saw spine 115 of the band saw blade 100. The saw spine 115 of the band saw blade 100 has a linear shape.

[0116] According to this configuration, the vibration mechanisms 25a and 26a apply vibration to the saw spine 115, thereby vibrating the band saw blade 100 at an appropriate vibration amplitude, thereby achieving vibration cutting.

[0117] (Modification of the first and second embodiments) As shown in FIG. 4, in the first and second embodiments, it is assumed that the multiple teeth 121 constituting the sawtooth portion 120 of the band saw blade 100 all have the same function. However, the sawtooth portion 120 may be configured such that sawtooth groups each combining multiple functional teeth 121 are arranged repeatedly along the longitudinal direction (traveling direction F1) of the body portion 110. FIG. 13 illustrates a sawtooth portion 120 configured from a sawtooth group combining two teeth 121 with different functions. To distinguish between the two teeth 121 with different functions, one functional tooth is referred to as an H tooth and the other functional tooth is referred to as an L tooth. Furthermore, to identify the multiple H teeth, numbers are assigned in ascending order starting from the leading H tooth (the same applies to the L teeth).

[0118] In FIG. 13, "P1" is the tooth tip distance between an H tooth and the next L tooth, and "P2" is the tooth tip distance between an L tooth and the next H tooth. "PH" is the tooth tip distance between an H tooth and the immediately succeeding H tooth with the same function, i.e., the functional pitch of the H teeth. "PL" is the tooth tip distance between an L tooth and the immediately succeeding L tooth with the same function, i.e., the functional pitch of the L teeth. When P1 and P2 are equal, the tooth tip distances are equal for all teeth 121 (equal pitch). In an equal-pitch band saw blade, the functional pitch of the H teeth and the functional pitch of the L teeth are equal.

[0119] In this way, when a sawtooth group is composed of multiple functional teeth, the vibration period can be determined by focusing on the functional pitch of any one of the functional teeth, so that the functional pitch of all functional teeth satisfies the above-mentioned vibration period condition.

[0120] On the other hand, when P1 and P2 are different, this is called an unequal pitch. In the case of an unequal pitch, there are as many functional pitches as there are functional teeth included in the saw tooth group. Therefore, the above-mentioned vibration period can be determined by focusing on the functional pitch of at least one functional tooth among the multiple functional teeth included in the saw tooth group. In other words, in the case of an unequal pitch, it is sufficient that the functional pitch of at least one functional tooth among the multiple functional teeth included in the saw tooth group satisfies the above-mentioned vibration period.

[0121] However, in the case of unequal pitches, when determining the vibration period using the above-mentioned Equation 6, the functional pitch to be applied to Equation 6 may be selected as follows so that all functional teeth satisfy the vibration period of Equation 6. The method of calculating the functional pitch may be, in addition to the method of using the functional pitch related to a specific functional tooth as described above, a method of doubling the functional pitch of a specific functional tooth, or a method of taking the average value of the functional pitches of each specific functional tooth. Only a unique method must be used for the band saw blade 100.

[0122] (Third embodiment) In the third embodiment, a method will be described in which functional pitch information is reflected in the band saw machine 1 using a reading device 60 in order to derive appropriate vibration conditions to be applied to the band saw blade 100. The third embodiment can be applied to both the first and second embodiments.

[0123] As shown in Figure 1, the band saw machine 1 is used with a band saw blade 100 attached. The band saw blade 100 is replaceable depending on the material, size, and shape of the workpiece W to be cut. An operator can attach a new band saw blade 100 to the band saw machine 1, or attach a band saw blade 100 that has been used in the past.

[0124] First, we will explain how to attach a new band saw blade 100 to the band saw machine 1. As shown in Fig. 3, a two-dimensional code 130 that embodies band saw blade information is printed, engraved, or otherwise marked on the band saw blade 100.

[0125] 1, an operator attaches the band saw blade 100 to the band saw machine 1 by stretching the band saw blade 100 between the drive wheel 21 and the driven wheel 22. At this time, the operator positions the band saw blade 100 so that the two-dimensional code 130 written on the band saw blade 100 matches a mark M placed at a predetermined position on the band saw machine 1. The mark M is placed near the reading device 60 and downstream of the reading device 60 in the traveling direction of the upper band saw blade 100 traveling from the drive wheel 21 to the driven wheel 22.

[0126] When an operator makes a request to register the band saw blade 100 using the input device of the operation panel 51, the control device 50 displays a registration screen for the band saw blade 100 on the display of the operation panel 51. As shown in FIG. 14, the registration screen for the band saw blade 100 includes a new registration operator 52a and a reuse operator 52b. When the operator selects the new registration operator 52a, the control device 50 displays a selection screen on the display of the operation panel 51. As shown in FIG. 15, the selection screen includes an operator 53a for reading a two-dimensional code and an operator 53b for manual input.

[0127] When the operator selects the two-dimensional code reading operator 53a, the control device 50 opens the cover 37, as shown in Figure 3. The control device 50 causes the band saw blade 100 to travel at a low speed for a fixed distance in the direction opposite to that for cutting the workpiece. When the two-dimensional code 130 on the band saw blade 100 passes under the reading device 60, the reading device 60 reads the two-dimensional code 130. When the reading device 60 reads the two-dimensional code 130, it obtains the band saw blade information embodied in the two-dimensional code 130.

[0128] The band saw blade information includes the type of band saw blade 100, the serial number of the band saw blade 100, and information on the functional pitch of the band saw blade 100. The band saw blade information acquired by the reading device 60 is output to the control device 50. As shown in Figure 16, the control device 50 records the band saw blade information in a table in the storage device. Then, the control device 50 closes the lid 37.

[0129] 15, when the operator selects the manual input operator 53b, the control device 50 displays an input screen for inputting band saw blade information on the display of the operation panel 51. This allows the user to record the band saw blade information in a table in the storage device through their own input operation.

[0130] Once the recording of the band saw blade information in the table of the storage device is completed, the control device 50 displays the multiple pieces of band saw blade information recorded in the table of the storage device on the display of the operation panel 51. By operating the input device of the operation panel 51, the operator can specify the band saw blade information attached to the band saw machine 1 from the multiple pieces of band saw blade information registered in the table of the storage device. The control device 50 can obtain the functional pitch of the band saw blade 100 attached to the band saw machine 1 based on the band saw blade information specified by the operator. Then, the control device 50 can set the vibration period required for intermittent cutting based on the obtained functional pitch.

[0131] Next, a situation in which a previously used band saw blade 100 is attached to the band saw machine 1 will be described. First, the operator uses the input device of the operation panel 51 to register the band saw blade 100, and a registration screen for the band saw blade 100 is displayed on the display of the operation panel 51 (FIG. 14). When the operator selects the reuse operation button 52b, the control device 50 displays multiple pieces of band saw blade information recorded in the table of the storage device on the display of the operation panel 51. The operator can specify the band saw blade information attached to the band saw machine 1 from the multiple pieces of band saw blade information registered in the table of the storage device by operating the input device of the operation panel 51. The control device 50 can obtain the functional pitch of the band saw blade 100 attached to the band saw machine 1 based on the band saw blade information specified by the operator. The control device 50 can then set the vibration period required for intermittent cutting based on the obtained functional pitch.

[0132] In the above description, the two-dimensional code 130 is written on the band saw blade 100. However, the two-dimensional code 130 may be linked to the band saw blade 100. For example, the two-dimensional code 130 may be written on a paper sheet that comes with the band saw blade 100. In this case, the band saw machine 1 may further include a portable reading device 60. As a result, the two-dimensional code written on the paper sheet can be read by the portable reading device 60 to obtain band saw blade information for the band saw blade 100.

[0133] As described above, the band saw machine 1 according to this embodiment includes a reading device 60 that reads the code associated with the band saw blade 100, and a control device 50 that is a controller that identifies the functional pitch from the code read by the reading device 60. The control device 50 controls the vibration mechanism based on at least one of the vibration period and the vibration amplitude that are determined from the functional pitch.

[0134] According to this configuration, the operator does not need to input the function pitch every time he replaces the band saw blade 100. This makes it possible to prevent machining from being performed under inappropriate vibration conditions due to an input error.

[0135] (Fourth embodiment) The band saw machine 1 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the band saw machines 1 of the first and second embodiments in the vibration method of the band saw blade 100. Below, the band saw machine 1 will be described focusing on the differences from the first to third embodiments, and explanations of matters common to the first and second embodiments will be omitted.

[0136] As shown in Fig. 17, the first and second saw blade guides 25, 26 are provided with backup rollers 25b, 26b instead of the vibration mechanisms 25a, 26a. Note that Fig. 17 does not show the first and second saw blade guides 25, 26 shown in Fig. 1. Because the backup roller 25b of the first saw blade guide 25 and the backup roller 26b of the second saw blade guide 26 are the same, only the backup roller 25b of the first saw blade guide 25 will be described below.

[0137] The backup roller 25b is supported by the first saw blade guide 25, and its movement in the cutting direction is restricted. The backup roller 25b abuts against the saw spine 115 of the body 110 of the band saw blade 100. The backup roller 25b vibrates the band saw blade 100 in the cutting direction according to the shape of the saw spine 116 of the band saw blade 100, which will be described later.

[0138] In this embodiment, the second saw blade guide 26 is fixed at a position a fixed distance in the left-right direction from the first saw blade guide 25. In other words, the distance between the left and right backup rollers 25b, 26b is kept constant regardless of the size of the workpiece W.

[0139] The band saw blade 100 comprises a body portion 110 and a sawtooth portion 120. The body portion 110 is a band-shaped member having a constant width in the band width direction. The body portion 110 is formed from a high-strength material, such as spring steel. The sawtooth portion 120 is provided on one edge of the body portion 110. The sawtooth portion 120 is composed of a plurality of teeth 121 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the body portion 110. The other edge of the body portion 110, the saw spine 116, has concave valleys and convex peaks periodically formed along the extension direction of the body portion 110. In this embodiment, the valleys and peaks are composed of curves with a constant curvature.

[0140] The concept of vibration cutting according to this embodiment will be described. In the following description, all of the teeth 121 constituting the saw-tooth portion 120 have the same type (function), and the functional pitch of each tooth 121 is also the same (equal pitch). For ease of explanation, four consecutive teeth 121 will be referred to as the first tooth Tf1, the second tooth Tf2, the third tooth Tf3, and the fourth tooth Tf4. The first tooth Tf1 is the preceding tooth, and the second tooth Tf2, the third tooth Tf3, and the fourth tooth Tf4 are arranged in order after the first tooth Tf1.

[0141] In Figure 17, "Ld" is the distance between the backup rollers 25b and 26b. "Lpp" is the distance between the peaks of the saw spine 116, and "Lpb" is the distance between the peaks and valleys of the saw spine 116. "Rr" is the radius of the backup roller, and "Rb" is the radius of curvature of the peaks and valleys. Although not shown in Figure 17, "LF" is the total length of the band saw blade 100.

[0142] In this embodiment, the operation of the band saw blade 100 at the excitation point in vibration cutting is reproduced by the backup rollers 25b, 26b and the shape (saw spine shape) provided on the saw spine 116 of the band saw blade 100. The basic concept is the same as vibration cutting using an excitation point.

[0143] First, consider the saw spine shape required for the vibration cycle that results in intermittent cutting. That is, set the saw spine shape so that any tooth 121 and the tooth 121 two or more teeth later with the same function are in phase, and any tooth 121 and the tooth 121 immediately later with the same function are not in phase. Below, the first tooth Tf1 is used as an example of the any tooth 121.

[0144] First, consider the case where m = 2. m = 2 means that the first tooth Tf1 and the third tooth Tf3, two teeth behind it, are in phase. In this case, when the band saw blade 100 moves in the traveling direction F1 a distance twice the functional pitch, the band saw blade 100 vibrates for one vibration cycle. The shape of the saw back 116 is set so that the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to move in the traveling direction F1 a distance twice the functional pitch (= 2P) is one vibration cycle (= T), and the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to move in the traveling direction F1 a distance equal to the functional pitch (= P) is 1 / 2 the vibration cycle (= (1 / 2)T). The saw back 116 is formed to have a sinusoidal wave shape such that the time it takes to move the distance from peak to valley (= Lpb) on the saw back 116 is 1 / 2 the vibration cycle, and the time it takes to move the distance from peak to peak (= Lpp) is 1 vibration cycle. The relational expressions that satisfy this condition are Equations 30 and 31. Lpb=P (30) Lpp=2P (31)

[0145] As shown in FIG. 18, when the first tooth Tf1 starts cutting the workpiece W, the first tooth Tf1 is located at the left end of the workpiece W. If the band saw blade 100 is located at the lower peak of the vibration amplitude when the first tooth Tf1 is located at the left end of the workpiece W, the movement trajectory of the tip of the first tooth Tf1 will be as shown in FIG. 18. When 1 / 2 of the vibration cycle has elapsed since the first tooth Tf1 started cutting the workpiece W, the second tooth Tf2 is located at the left end of the workpiece W. Since the band saw blade 100 also vibrates for 1 / 2 the cycle, when the second tooth Tf2 reaches the left end of the workpiece W, the band saw blade 100 will be located at the upper peak of the vibration amplitude. Therefore, if movement in the cutting direction is ignored, the movement trajectories of the tip of the second tooth Tf2 and the first tooth Tf1 on the workpiece W will be opposite (out of phase).

[0146] When 1 / 2 of the vibration cycle has elapsed since the second tooth Tf1 started cutting the workpiece W, the third tooth Tf3 is positioned at the left end of the workpiece W. Because the band saw blade 100 also vibrates for 1 / 2 the cycle, when the third tooth Tf3 reaches the left end of the workpiece W, the band saw blade 100 is positioned at the lower peak of the vibration amplitude. Therefore, if movement in the cutting direction is ignored, the movement trajectories of the tooth tips on the workpiece W of the third tooth Tf3 and the first tooth Tf1 are the same (in phase). Similarly, the fourth tooth Tf4 and the second tooth Tf2 are in an in-phase relationship, and the first tooth Tf1 and the fourth tooth Tf4 are in an anti-phase relationship.

[0147] 17, when the radius of curvature of the peaks and valleys of the saw spine 116 is equal to or greater than the radius of the backup rollers 25b, 26b (Rb≧Rr), the height of the peaks and valleys of the saw spine 116 becomes the movement amplitude (vibration amplitude) of the tooth tip. In FIG. 17, "H" is the height of the peaks and valleys of the saw spine 116.

[0148] Consider the case where m = 3. m = 3 means that the first tooth Tf1 and the fourth tooth Tf4, which is three teeth behind, are in phase. In this case, when the band saw blade 100 moves a distance three times the functional pitch in the traveling direction F1, the band saw blade 100 vibrates for one period. Therefore, the shape of the saw spine 116 is set so that the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to move a distance three times the functional pitch (= 3P) in the traveling direction F1 is one vibration period, and the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to move a distance 3 / 2 times the functional pitch (= (3 / 2)P) is one half vibration period. In other words, by making the distance from peak to valley equal to the distance from valley to peak, a sinusoidal motion is achieved. The above relationship is expressed by Equations 32 and 33. Lpp=3P (32) Lpb=(3 / 2)P=(1 / 2)Lpp ·····(33)

[0149] In this case, there is no tooth that is in the opposite phase to the first tooth Tf1. The second and third teeth Tf2 and Tf3, whose tip movements are shifted by 1 / 3 of the vibration period from the preceding teeth, are included between the first tooth Tf1 and the fourth tooth Tf4. In this case, the first tooth Tf1 and the fourth tooth Tf4 also perform intermittent cutting.

[0150] In this way, by satisfying two conditions—that any tooth 121 and the tooth 121 two or more teeth later and having the same function are in phase, and that any tooth 121 and the tooth 121 immediately later and having the same function are not in phase—it is possible to operate each tooth 121 in intermittent cutting. In other words, any tooth 121 and the tooth 121 m teeth later (m: an integer of 2 or greater) with the same function are in phase. The shape of the saw spine 116 can be designed so that the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to travel a distance m times the functional pitch (= mP) in the traveling direction F1 is one oscillation cycle, and the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to travel a distance (m / 2) times the functional pitch (= (m / 2)P) is 1 / 2 oscillation cycle. This relationship can be expressed as Equations 34 and 35. Lpp=mP (34) Lpb = (m / 2)P = (1 / 2)Lpp (m: integer equal to or greater than 2) (35)

[0151] In this case, between any tooth 121 and the mth tooth 121 with the same function, there will be (m-1) teeth 121 whose tip moves along a trajectory that is 1 / m vibration period phase shifted from the preceding tooth 121. Increasing m increases the amount of cutting per tooth, but shortens the cutting distance, which helps reduce wear. If a large load on each tooth 121 is not a problem, it is possible to increase m and shorten the cutting distance.

[0152] The above relational expression defines one vibration period (=T) as the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to move a distance m times the functional pitch (=mP) in the traveling direction F1 when a given tooth and the tooth m behind it with the same function are in phase. However, this does not necessarily have to be one vibration period. However, the vibration period must not be such that a given tooth and the tooth one behind it with the same function are in phase.

[0153] For example, in the example where m = 2 described above, one vibration cycle was the time it took for the band saw blade 100 to move a distance twice the functional pitch. If the time it took for the band saw blade 100 to move a distance twice the functional pitch was defined as two vibration cycles, then 2Lpp = 2P, i.e., Lpp = P. This relationship means that the time it takes for the band saw blade 100 to move a distance equal to the functional pitch is one vibration cycle, so any tooth 121 and the tooth 121 immediately following it with the same function will be in phase. Similarly, in the example where m = 3, if there are three vibration cycles, then 3Lpp = 3P, i.e., Lpp = P. In other words, the condition where Lpp = P is satisfied must be eliminated.

[0154] From the above considerations, the general formulas shown in Equations 36, 37, and 38 can be derived. Lpp=k×P (36) Lpb=(1 / 2)Lpp (37) k=m / n (38)

[0155] In Equation 34, m is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and n is a natural number excluding the product of natural numbers c and m (=c×m). n≠c×m (39)

[0156] Therefore, the coefficient k can be expressed by a natural number c as shown in Equation 40. In other words, the coefficient k is a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c. k≠1 / c (40)

[0157] Note that satisfying both the relationships of Equations 36 and 37 is preferable because it makes the cutting distance of each tooth 121 approximately the same. However, if the relationship of Equation 36 is satisfied, intermittent cutting is achieved. Therefore, it is sufficient for the saw spine shape of the band saw blade 100 to at least satisfy the relationship of Equation 36.

[0158] In the above description, as shown in FIG. 17, the backup rollers 25b and 26b are each located at a peak or a valley of the saw spine 116. In this case, the operation is similar to that in the first embodiment when vibrations are applied to the left and right vibration points in the same phase. Note that one of the backup rollers 25b and 26b may be located at a peak (or valley) of the saw spine 116, and the other backup roller 25b and 26b may be located at a valley (or peak) of the saw spine 116. In this case, the operation is similar to that in the first embodiment when vibrations are applied to the left and right vibration points in opposite phases. Furthermore, the arrangement of the backup rollers 25b and 26b may be other than the above two forms. In this case, the operation is similar to that in the first embodiment when vibrations are applied to the left and right vibration points in neither the same phase nor the opposite phases.

[0159] The upward position of the band saw blade 100 is supported by the backup rollers 25b, 26b, so the operation of the band saw blade 100 changes depending on the shape of the saw spine when passing through the backup rollers 25b, 26b. Since the shape of the saw spine 116 is determined by the functional pitch of the band saw blade 100, the operation of the band saw blade 100 is determined by the positional relationship between the backup rollers 25b, 26b and the band saw blade 100 (saw spine shape).

[0160] The distance (=Ld) between the backup rollers 25b and 26b and the total length (=LF) of the band saw blade 100 are expressed by equations 41 and 42. Ld = x × Lpb (x: a number greater than 0) (41) LF=y×Lpp (y: natural number) (42)

[0161] When x is an odd number, the operation is the same as when vibrations are applied in opposite phases at the left and right excitation points shown in the first embodiment. When x is an even number, the operation is the same as when vibrations are applied in the same phase at the left and right excitation points shown in the first embodiment.

[0162] Next, the shape of the saw back required for the preferable vibration amplitude in interrupted cutting is examined. When the radii of curvature of the peaks and valleys are greater than or equal to the radius of the backup roller (Rb≧Rr), the height of the peaks and valleys (=H) of the saw back 116 becomes the vibration amplitude (=A). Therefore, from the formulas 16 and 29 shown in the second embodiment, the required shape of the saw back 116, that is, the height of the peaks and valleys, becomes the following formulas 43 and 44. H≧5D (m=2) ·····(43) H≧m(m - 1)D / 2 (m≧3) ·····(44)

[0163] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19, when the radii of curvature of the peaks and valleys are smaller than the radius of the backup roller (Rb<Rr), it is as follows. From the formulas 16 and 29 shown in the first embodiment, the required shape of the saw back 116, that is, the height of the peaks and valleys, becomes the following formulas 45 and 46. H-(XR - XB)≧5D (m=2) ·····(45) H-(XR - XB)≧m(m - 1)D / 2 (m≧3) ·····(46)

[0164] In formulas 45 and 46, XR and XB become the following formulas 47 and 48, respectively. XR=((1 / cosθh)-1)×Rr ·····(47) XB=((1 / cosθh)-1)×Rb ·····(48)

[0165] Thus, in the band saw machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the vibration mechanism includes backup rollers 25b and 26b that are fixed to the saw head 20 and abut against the saw back 116 of the band saw blade 100 in a state where the movement in the cutting direction F2 is restricted. The saw back 116 of the band saw blade 100 has a concavo-convex shape corresponding to at least one of the vibration period defined in the first embodiment and the vibration amplitude defined in the second embodiment.

[0166] According to this configuration, the band saw blade 100 can be vibrated by the backup rollers 25b and 26b and the concavo-convex shape of the saw back 116. Thereby, vibration cutting can be realized without using a vibration mechanism that applies vibration to the saw back 116.

[0167] In addition, since at least one of the vibration conditions, vibration period and vibration amplitude, is set to an optimal range, intermittent cutting becomes possible regardless of the machining conditions. As a result, the number of teeth 121 involved in cutting at any given moment is reduced compared to continuous cutting, thereby reducing cutting resistance and shortening the cutting distance of each tooth 121, thereby suppressing tooth tip wear. In addition, intermittent cutting can break up chips. This allows for efficient cutting. In addition, even if a band saw blade 100 does not have the appropriate number of teeth in normal cutting, it can be made to have the appropriate number of teeth by applying vibration cutting. This allows for a wider range of uses for the band saw blade.

[0168] In the fourth embodiment, the sawtooth shape is a sine wave shape, but is not limited to this. For example, the sawtooth shape may be a shape in which the peaks and valleys are connected by straight lines. In this case, the peaks of the peaks and valleys may be corners, curves drawn with a predetermined radius of curvature, or straight lines extending a certain distance along the longitudinal direction of the body 110.

[0169] In the example shown in FIG. 17, the saw spine shape is set so that the tooth tip and the peaks and valleys of the saw spine 116 coincide with each other, but it is not necessary that the tooth tip and the peaks and valleys coincide with each other.

[0170] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, a band saw blade 100 with a uniform pitch has been exemplified. However, the band saw blade 100 applicable to this embodiment may have an uneven pitch. In the case of an uneven pitch, the saw blade shape may be set based on the functional pitch of at least one functional tooth 121 among the multiple functional teeth 121 included in the saw tooth group.

[0171] In the fourth embodiment, the distance between the left and right backup rollers 25b, 26b is constant. However, if the condition that the vibration of the band saw blade 100 at the left and right backup rollers 25b, 26b is in phase or in opposite phase is not limited to this, it is not necessary to keep the distance between the left and right backup rollers 25b, 26b constant. Even if vibration of the same phase or in opposite phase is applied to the band saw blade 100, the distance between the left and right backup rollers 25b, 26b can be changed as long as the relationship of Equation 41 is satisfied.

[0172] In this specification, not only the band saw machine 1 described above, but also the band saw blade 100 itself applied to the band saw machine 1 functions as part of this embodiment.

[0173] That is, the band saw blade 100 according to this embodiment is slidably mounted on the saw head 20 of the band saw machine 1, and cuts the workpiece W by moving the saw head 20 in the cutting direction F2. The band saw blade 100 comprises a body portion 110 extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the band width direction, and a saw tooth portion 120 provided on one edge of the body portion 110 and having a plurality of teeth 121 with the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch. The saw spine 116, which is the other edge of the body portion 110, comprises concave valleys and convex ridges alternately arranged along the longitudinal direction of the body portion 110. The band saw blade 100 can take the following first to third forms.

[0174] (First aspect) The spacing between peaks of the saw spine 116, Lpp, satisfies the following formula: where P is the functional pitch, and k is a coefficient consisting of a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c (c: natural number). Lpp=k×P

[0175] (Second aspect) When m is an integer of 2 or more, the height H of the peaks and valleys of the saw spine satisfies the following formula: where D is the distance that the saw head 20 moves in the cutting direction F2 while the band saw blade 100 moves a distance equal to the functional pitch in the traveling direction F1. H≧5D (m=2) H≧m(m-1)D / 2 (m≧3)

[0176] (Third aspect) When m is an integer equal to or greater than 2, the height H of the peaks and valleys of the saw spine 116 satisfies the following formula: Note that D is the distance that the saw head 20 moves in the cutting direction F2 while the band saw blade 100 moves a distance equal to the functional pitch in the traveling direction F1. H-(XR-XB)≧5D (m=2) H-(XR-XB)≧m(m-1)D / 2 (m≧3)

[0177] In this third embodiment, XR and XB are expressed by the following formulas: Rr is the radius of the backup rollers 25b, 26b provided in the saw head 20 and brought into contact with the saw spine 116 of the band saw blade 100, and Rb is the radius of curvature given to the peaks and valleys of the saw spine 116. XR=((1 / cosθh)-1)×Rr XB=((1 / cosθh)-1)×Rb

[0178] In the band saw blade 100 of the second or third embodiment described above, the peak-to-peak spacing Lpp of the saw spine 116 satisfies the following formula: where P is the functional pitch, and k is a coefficient consisting of a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c (c: natural number). Lpp=k×P

[0179] In this case, the spacing Lpb between the peaks and valleys of the saw spine 116 satisfies the following formula: Lpb = (1 / 2)Lpp

[0180] In the band saw blades 100 of the first to third embodiments, the coefficient k satisfies the following formula: where m is an integer of 2 or more, and n is a natural number excluding the product of the natural number c and the integer m. k=m / n

[0181] The uneven shape of the saw spine 116 with which the backup rollers 25b and 26b come into contact can vibrate the band saw blade 100. This makes it possible to achieve vibration cutting.

[0182] In addition, since at least one of the vibration conditions, vibration period and vibration amplitude, is set to an optimal range, intermittent cutting becomes possible regardless of the machining conditions. As a result, the number of teeth 121 involved in cutting at any given moment is reduced compared to continuous cutting, thereby reducing cutting resistance and shortening the cutting distance of each tooth 121, thereby suppressing tooth tip wear. In addition, intermittent cutting can break up chips. This allows for efficient cutting. In addition, even if a band saw blade 100 does not have the appropriate number of teeth in normal cutting, it can be made to have the appropriate number of teeth by applying vibration cutting. This allows for a wider range of uses for the band saw blade.

[0183] In this specification, the band saw blade 100 described below also functions as part of this embodiment. That is, the band saw blade 100 according to this embodiment is slidably attached to the saw head 20 of the band saw machine 1, and cuts the workpiece W by moving the saw head 20 in the cutting direction F2. The band saw blade 100 includes a body portion 110 extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the band width direction, and a saw tooth portion 120 provided on one edge of the body portion 110 and having multiple teeth 121 with the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch. A code 130 readable by a reading device 60 included in the band saw machine 1 is written on the body portion 110. The band saw machine 1 identifies the functional pitch from the code read by the reading device 60, and vibrates the band saw blade 100 in the cutting direction F2 based on a vibration period determined from the functional pitch.

[0184] Although the present embodiment has been described, the description and drawings forming a part of this embodiment should not be understood as limiting this embodiment, and various alternative embodiments, examples and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0185] 1 bandsaw machine 20 Saw Head 21 Drive Wheel 22 driven wheel 25 First saw blade guide 26 Second saw blade guide 25a, 26a Vibration mechanism 25b, 26b Backup rollers 30 Beam member 31, 32 Housing body 50 Control device (controller) 51 Control panel 60 Reading device 100 bandsaw blades 110 Torso 115, 116 Sawback 120 sawtooth part 121 teeth 130 2D code (code)

Claims

1. a saw head having a band saw blade mounted thereon so as to be freely movable, the band saw blade having a plurality of teeth having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch, and the saw head cutting a workpiece with the band saw blade while moving in a cutting direction; a vibration mechanism that vibrates the band saw blade in the cutting direction, The vibration period of the band saw blade by the vibration mechanism satisfies the following formula: T = k × (P / V) Here, T is the vibration period, P is the functional pitch, V is the traveling speed of the band saw blade, and k is a coefficient consisting of a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c (c: natural number). Band saw machine.

2. a saw head having a band saw blade mounted thereon so as to be freely movable, the band saw blade having a plurality of teeth having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch, and the saw head cutting a workpiece with the band saw blade while moving in a cutting direction; a vibration mechanism that vibrates the band saw blade in the cutting direction, When m is an integer of 2 or more, the vibration amplitude of the band saw blade by the vibration mechanism satisfies the following formula: A>m(m-1)D / 2 (m≧3) A ≧ 5D (m = 2) where A is the vibration amplitude, and D is the distance that the saw head moves in the cutting direction while the band saw blade moves a distance equal to the functional pitch in the traveling direction. Band saw machine.

3. The vibration period of the band saw blade by the vibration mechanism satisfies the following formula: T = k × (P / V) Here, P is the functional pitch, V is the traveling speed of the band saw blade, and k is a coefficient consisting of a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c (c: natural number).

3. The band saw according to claim 2.

4. The coefficient k satisfies the following formula: k = m / n Here, m is an integer of 2 or more, and n is a natural number excluding the product of the natural number c and the integer m. The band saw according to claim 1 or 3.

5. When focusing on any one of the plurality of teeth, While any tooth passes from one end of the workpiece to the opposite end along the traveling direction of the band saw blade, there are times when the tooth tip is cutting the workpiece and times when the tooth tip is separated from the workpiece, resulting in intermittent cutting.

3. The band saw according to claim 1 or 2.

6. When the width of the workpiece is equal to or greater than the distance that the band saw blade advances in the traveling direction in one vibration cycle, the vibration mechanism vibrates the band saw blade. The band saw according to claim 1 or 3.

7. a reading device that reads the code associated with the band saw blade; a controller that identifies the functional pitch from the code read by the reader; the controller controls the vibration mechanism based on the vibration period determined from the functional pitch. The band saw according to claim 1 or 3.

8. the vibration mechanism includes a vibration mechanism that applies vibration to the saw spine of the band saw blade, The saw spine of the band saw blade has a linear shape.

3. The band saw according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The vibration mechanism includes a backup roller that is fixed to the saw head and contacts the saw spine of the band saw blade while its movement in the cutting direction is restricted, The saw spine of the band saw blade has an uneven shape corresponding to the vibration period.

2. The band saw according to claim 1.

10. The vibration mechanism includes a backup roller that is fixed to the saw head and contacts the saw spine of the band saw blade while its movement in the cutting direction is restricted, The saw spine of the band saw blade has an uneven shape corresponding to the vibration amplitude.

3. The band saw according to claim 2.

11. The vibration mechanism includes a backup roller that is fixed to the saw head and contacts the saw spine of the band saw blade while its movement in the cutting direction is restricted, The saw spine of the band saw blade has an uneven shape corresponding to the vibration amplitude and the vibration period.

4. The band saw according to claim 3.

12. A band saw blade that is attached to a saw head of a band saw machine so as to be able to move freely, and cuts a workpiece by moving the saw head in a cutting direction, a body portion extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the belt width direction; a sawtooth portion provided on one edge of the body portion and having a plurality of teeth having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch; The saw spine, which is the other edge of the body, has concave valleys and convex peaks alternately provided along the longitudinal direction of the body, The spacing Lpp between the crests of the saw spine satisfies the following formula: Lpp = k × P where P is the functional pitch, and k is a coefficient consisting of a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c (c: natural number). Bandsaw blade.

13. The spacing Lpb between the peaks and valleys of the saw spine satisfies the following formula: Lpb=(1 / 2)Lpp The band saw blade according to claim 12.

14. A band saw blade that is attached to a saw head of a band saw machine so as to be able to move freely, and cuts a workpiece by moving the saw head in a cutting direction, a body portion extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the belt width direction; a sawtooth portion provided on one edge of the body portion and having a plurality of teeth having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch; The saw spine, which is the other edge of the body, has concave valleys and convex peaks alternately provided along the longitudinal direction of the body, When m is an integer of 2 or more, the height H of the peaks and valleys of the saw spine satisfies the following formula: H≧5D (m=2) H≧m (m-1) D / 2 (m≧3) Here, D is the distance that the saw head moves in the cutting direction while the band saw blade moves a distance equal to the functional pitch in the traveling direction. Bandsaw blade.

15. A band saw blade that is attached to a saw head of a band saw machine so as to be able to move freely, and cuts a workpiece by moving the saw head in a cutting direction, a body portion extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the belt width direction; a sawtooth portion provided on one edge of the body portion and having a plurality of teeth having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch; The saw spine, which is the other edge of the body, has concave valleys and convex peaks alternately provided along the longitudinal direction of the body, When m is an integer of 2 or more, the height H of the peaks and valleys of the saw spine satisfies the following formula: H-(XR-XB)≧5D (m=2) H-(XR-XB)≧m(m-1)D / 2 (m≧3) Here, D is the distance that the saw head moves in the cutting direction while the band saw blade moves a distance equal to the functional pitch in the traveling direction, and XR and XB are expressed by the following formulas: XR=((1 / cosθh)-1)×Rr XB=((1 / cosθh)-1)×Rb Here, Rr is the radius of the backup roller provided on the saw head and contacting the saw spine of the band saw blade, and Rb is the radius of curvature given to the peaks and valleys of the saw spine. Bandsaw blade.

16. The spacing Lpp between the crests of the saw spine satisfies the following formula: Lpp = k × P where P is the functional pitch, and k is a coefficient consisting of a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c (c: natural number). The band saw blade according to claim 14.

17. The spacing Lpb between the peaks and valleys of the saw spine satisfies the following formula: Lpb=(1 / 2)Lpp 17. The band saw blade of claim 16.

18. The spacing Lpp between the crests of the saw spine satisfies the following formula: Lpp = k × P where P is the functional pitch, and k is a coefficient consisting of a number including a decimal point other than 1 / c (c: natural number).

16. The band saw blade according to claim 15.

19. The spacing Lpb between the peaks and valleys of the saw spine satisfies the following formula: Lpb=(1 / 2)Lpp 19. The band saw blade of claim 18.

20. The coefficient k satisfies the following formula: k = m / n Here, m is an integer of 2 or more, and n is a natural number excluding the product of the natural number c and the integer m.

19. A band saw blade according to any one of claims 12, 16 and 18.

21. A band saw blade that is attached to a saw head of a band saw machine so as to be able to move freely, and cuts a workpiece by moving the saw head in a cutting direction, a body portion extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the belt width direction; a sawtooth portion provided on one edge of the body portion and having a plurality of teeth having the same function arranged at a predetermined functional pitch; A code that can be read by a reading device provided in the band saw machine is written on the body portion, The band saw machine identifies the functional pitch from the code read by the reading device, and vibrates the band saw blade in the cutting direction based on a vibration period determined from the functional pitch. Bandsaw blade.

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