Method and apparatus for maintaining the surface velocity of a circular cutting device

Abstract

To provide a circular cutting device, and more specifically a method and apparatus for maintaining a surface speed of the circular cutting device.SOLUTION: Disclosed herein is a cutting device configured to control a linear speed of a cutting wheel as the cutting wheel gets smaller with use.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Related Applications / Priority Claims] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 699,809, filed Jul. 18, 2018, and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 512,655, filed Jul. 16, 2019, both entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING A SURFACE SPEED OF A CIRCULAR CUTTING DEVICE". The entire disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 699,809 and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 512,655 are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this specification.

Background Art

[0002] The present disclosure relates to circular cutting devices, and more particularly, to methods and apparatuses for maintaining the surface speed of circular cutting devices.

[0003] The limitations and disadvantages of conventional approaches for providing circular cutting devices will become apparent to those skilled in the art by comparing such approaches with some aspects of the methods and systems described in the remainder of the present disclosure, with reference to the drawings.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] There are provided methods and apparatuses for controlling the surface speed of a circular cutting device, substantially as shown by at least one figure, described in relation to at least one figure, and more fully set forth in the claims.

[0005] These aspects and / or other aspects will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and will be more readily understood.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of an exemplary cutting device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of an exemplary user interface for a cutting device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] This figure shows an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cut wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] This figure shows an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cut wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3C] This figure shows an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cut wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3D] This figure shows an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cut wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3E] This figure shows an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cut wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3F] This figure shows an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cut wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3G] This figure shows an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cut wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3H] This figure shows an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cut wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This flowchart illustrates an exemplary method for controlling the surface velocity of a cutting wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This flowchart illustrates another exemplary method for controlling the surface velocity of a cutting wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This flowchart illustrates an exemplary method for controlling the operation of a cutting wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Exemplary methods and apparatus are disclosed, but modifications to these exemplary methods and apparatus may not be described in detail because they may be well known to those skilled in the art.

[0008] Sectioning can be performed using a grinding cutting device, and the sectioning can be used for testing components. A grinding cutting device generally has a circular cutting wheel that rotates at high speed to section a part. When using a grinding device, the grinding cutting wheel is consumed, and the diameter of the grinding cutting wheel decreases as the cutting wheel wears down. The edge speed of the cutting wheel may affect the quality of the cut. The exemplary methods and apparatus of the disclosure automatically adjust the rotational speed of the cutting wheel (e.g., revolutions per minute (RPM)) to compensate for the decrease in the diameter of the cutting wheel, thereby providing a more consistent edge speed and improved consistency of the cutting results.

[0009] When a new abrasive cutting wheel is added, the rotation speed is set to a predetermined starting value. In some examples, the cutting device can determine the starting value and / or rotation speed increase for a new cutting wheel based on one or more of the following: the sample material being cut, the part number of the material being cut, the type of abrasive material on the abrasive cutting wheel, the size of the abrasive cutting wheel, the concentration of the abrasive material on the abrasive cutting wheel, the thickness of the abrasive cutting wheel, the type of binder material, and / or the hardness of the binder material. The predetermined starting value and / or rotation speed increase can be determined empirically and stored in the cutting device (e.g., a lookup table). In some examples, the quality of the abrasive cutting wheel and / or one or more abrasive cutting wheels is determined by reading an electronic mark (e.g., a barcode, quick response (QR) code, RFID tag, near-field communication (NFC) tag, etc.) attached to the cutting wheel or the cutting wheel's packaging. The cutting device may include, for example, a barcode reader, QR code® reader, RFID reader, and / or NFC reader configured to determine the type of abrasive cutting wheel by reading an electronic mark.

[0010] When using an abrasive cutting wheel, the exemplary cutting device of the disclosure increases the rotational speed of the cutting wheel, maintains a substantially constant surface velocity (e.g., surface feed per minute) of the outer edge of the abrasive cutting wheel, and / or reduces the rate at which the surface velocity decreases (compared to maintaining a constant angular velocity as in conventional cutting devices, for example).

[0011] The exemplary methods and apparatus of the disclosure provide improved cutting quality and consistency, particularly closer to the end of the lifespan of the abrasive cutting wheel. Furthermore, the exemplary methods and apparatus of the disclosure can improve the lifespan of the abrasive cutting wheel by operating the cutting wheel within its best-performing envelope for a longer period than conventional abrasive cutting devices. While the disclosed examples describe abrasive cutting devices and abrasive cutting wheels, the disclosed methods and apparatus can be modified and / or used for any other type of cutting device, such as any other type of rotary cutting device that uses a rotary tool and / or consumable cutting wheel.

[0012] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary cutting device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, a cutting device 100 is shown, which includes a power source 102, an actuator 104, a control circuit 106, and a cutting wheel 108.

[0013] The power source 102 can be any power source that the actuator 104 can use to rotate the cutting wheel 108. For example, the power source 102 can be a power supply that provides appropriate current and voltage to the actuator 104. Here, the actuator 104 can be, for example, a variable-speed electric motor that rotates the cutting wheel 108 via a spindle 107. Another power source can be, for example, an air compressor that can provide compressed air to an actuator 104 that operates on compressed air. Yet another power source can be, for example, a hydraulic power source that supplies hydraulic fluid to an actuator that operates on hydraulic fluid. Thus, the power source 102 can be any power source, including power sources not mentioned in this disclosure, that can be used by a suitable actuator 104 so that the cutting wheel 108 can rotate at various desired speeds.

[0014] The exemplary control circuit unit 106 in Figure 1 may include analog and / or digital circuit units configured to determine the target rotational speed (revolutions per minute - RPM) and / or target surface speed of the cutting wheel 108, and to supply control signals to the power source 102 and / or actuator 104 to rotate the cutting wheel at the target rotational speed. For example, if the actuator 104 is an electric motor such as a servo motor or stepping motor, the power source 102 can supply power to the actuator 104, and the control circuit unit 106 can supply control signals (analog and / or digital) to control the voltage supplied to the actuator 104 by the power source 102. Additionally or alternatively, the control circuit unit 106 can supply control signals to the actuator 104 to control the power from the power source 102 and rotate the cutting wheel 108 at the target rotational speed.

[0015] Therefore, the control circuit unit 106 can include a processing circuit unit 110, a memory 112, an input / output (I / O) interface 114, and / or a circuit unit 116. The processing circuit unit 110 can be any type of processor or logic circuit unit that can execute instructions stored in the memory, including the memory 112, and / or perform logical functions based on inputs in other ways. Exemplary processors can include a central processing unit (CPU), a system-on-chip (SOC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), discrete logic, and / or any other type of controller, processor, and / or, more generally, logic circuit unit. The memory 112 can include volatile and non-volatile memories, including a mass storage device. The I / O interface 114 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2. The circuit unit 116 can include various hardware circuit units that may be required for the operation of the control circuit unit 106.

[0016] One or more of the power source 102, the actuator 104, and / or the control circuit unit 106 can be combined in different configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0017] As disclosed above, the rotational speed of the cutting wheel 108 can be controlled to provide a substantially constant surface speed at the edge 109 of the cutting wheel 108. Generally, the cutting wheel 108 may become smaller as the abrasive material of the cutting wheel 108 is consumed during the cutting process. Therefore, if the rotational speed of the cutting wheel 108 remains constant as the cutting wheel 108 becomes smaller, the surface speed at the edge 109 of the cutting wheel 108 will decrease. Therefore, due to the decreased efficiency and / or changes in the cutting characteristics of the cutting wheel 108, the cutting effect may also decrease as the surface speed of the cutting wheel decreases.

[0018] For example, an abrasive cutting wheel can operate with maximum efficiency within the envelope of the surface speed, compared to the speed outside the envelope. Users of conventional abrasive cutters can set the rotational speed of an abrasive saw based on a specific surface speed (e.g., when changing the cutting wheel), but the surface speed is only valid within a window of the diameter of the abrasive cutting wheel. In contrast, the exemplary cutting device 100 maintains a substantially constant surface speed from the beginning to the end of the life of the abrasive cutting wheel.

[0019] In some examples, the control circuit 106 estimates the diameter of the cutting wheel 108 based on the parameters and usage period of the cutting wheel 108. For example, a user can register a new cutting wheel with the control circuit 106 via the I / O interface 114. Following the identification of the new cutting wheel, after obtaining the parameters of the cutting wheel and / or the test material, the control circuit 106 tracks the use of the cutting wheel 108 and determines the estimated consumption and / or remaining diameter of the cutting wheel based on a look-up table and / or formula. Based on the remaining diameter, the exemplary control circuit 106 sets the target speed of the cutting wheel 108 based on Equation 1 below. SFPM=(D)(π)(RPM) / 12 (Equation 1)

[0020] In Equation 1, SFPM is the linear speed of the outer edge of the cutting wheel 108 in feet per minute, D is the estimated diameter of the cutting wheel in inches, and RPM is the angular velocity in revolutions per minute.

[0021] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary user interface of a cutting device according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2, an exemplary user interface 200 is shown, which includes an input interface 210, an output interface 220, and a transceiver 230. The user interface 200 may also include a tag reader 240. The I / O device 114 of Figure 1 can be implemented using the user interface 200. The user interface 200 may be part of the cutting device 100, where the user interface 200 may be part of one of the power source 102, actuator 104, or control circuit unit 106, or it may be a separate module. The exemplary input interface 210 may include any type of input device, such as a keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., mouse, trackpad), a microphone, a camera (e.g., gesture-based input), a touchscreen, a button that can be rotated and / or pressed, a slide knob, and / or any other type of user input device and / or output device. The exemplary output interface 220 includes, for example, any type of visual output device such as an LCD display, an LED display, a haptic feedback device that may vibrate, an audio output device such as a speaker, and / or any other output device that can be used to provide information or notifications. The output interface 220 can, for example, display status / commands that can be input to the disconnection device 100.

[0022] The exemplary transceiver 230 communicates with other electronic devices via wired and / or wireless communication. For wired communication, for example, any of the following protocols may be used: different protocols such as USB, Firewire, TCP / IP, SCSI, IDE, or other protocols that may be suitable for the disconnection device 100. For wireless communication, any of the following protocols may be used: different protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, NFC (Near Field Communication), or other protocols that may be suitable for the disconnection device 100.

[0023] The transceiver 230 can be used to control and / or view the status of the cutting device 100. For example, the electronic device 250 can be used to input parameters of the cutting tool, such as the initial diameter of the cutting wheel and the desired surface speed. The transceiver 230 can also be used to download tables to the cutting device 100, for example. Thus, by inputting parameters such as the sample material being cut, the part number of the entire material being cut, the type of abrasive material on the polishing cutting wheel, the size of the cutting wheel, the concentration of the abrasive material on the polishing cutting wheel, the thickness of the polishing cutting wheel, the type of binder material, the hardness of the binder material, and the type of coolant used (if any), the cutting device 100 can select a recommended surface speed so that the actuator 104 can rotate the cutting wheel 108 at the correct rotational speed when the size of the cutting wheel 108 changes.

[0024] Additionally or alternatively, parameters can be determined by using a tag reader 240 to read electronic markings on the cutting wheel 108 and / or the test material. The tag reader 240 can read electronic markings such as RFID tags, NFC tags, barcodes, and QR codes (registered trademarks). These may be present on the cutting wheel, the cutting wheel packaging, the test material, and / or identifier tags attached to the test material.

[0025] Furthermore, the electronic device 250 can, for example, display the status of the cutting device 100. For example, the status may be a status that can be displayed on the output interface 220 and / or other information that cannot be displayed on the output interface 220.

[0026] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cutting wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, an example of an actuator 104 and a cutting wheel 108 is shown. The actuator 104 includes a sensing device 301 comprising a light source 302 and a sensor 304, and the cutting wheel 108 includes a plurality of reflectors 306a to 306d configured to reflect light from the light source 302 to the sensor 304. The light source 302 can emit light that can be easily detected from ambient light that may be present in the environment in which the cutting device 100 is used. The light source 302 can emit, for example, in the infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, or visible light spectrum. The emitted light can also be modulated, for example, as structured light. The emitted light can also be modulated, for example, as structured light. The light source 302 can be one or more LEDs (e.g., an array of LEDs) or any other type of light source suitable for the purpose. The wavelength of the LED or other light source 302 can be selected to allow transmission of the coolant and / or coolant vapor.

[0027] During operation, the light source 302 can emit light continuously or periodically. Light emission and modulation can be controlled, for example, by the processing circuit unit 110 shown in Figure 1. The light received by the sensor 304 can be processed, for example, by the processing circuit unit 110 to determine which of the multiple reflectors 306a to 306d may have reflected the received light.

[0028] As the cutting wheel 108 is consumed, some of the reflectors 306a to 306d are removed from the cutting wheel 108 from the outer edge towards the center, and the number of reflectors 306 decreases. For example, in Figure 3A, the outermost reflector 306 is reflector 306a. However, as the cutting wheel 108 becomes smaller, reflectors 306a are removed, and the outermost reflector is now reflector 306b. The processing circuit 110 can estimate the diameter of the cutting wheel based on the outermost reflector 306b (e.g., the one closest to the cutting blade 118) identified via the light source 302 and sensor 304, or based on the number of reflectors 306 detected along the radius or diameter, for example. The light source 302 can adjust its emission so that the emitted light hits only one of the reflectors 306 in sequence, or so that the emitted light hits all of the available reflectors 306, and the number of reflectors that reflected the light can be determined by the intensity of the received light.

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, the processing circuit 110 can determine the Doppler shift by comparing the wavelength of the light source 302 with the received wavelength. The processing circuit 110 can then estimate the linear velocity of the outermost reflector 306a based on the detected maximum Doppler shift. Various embodiments may not use reflectors 306, but they can be reflected off the surface of the cutting wheel 108. Light can be transmitted to the maximum radius of the cutting wheel 108 and then moved continuously or stepwise toward the center until a reflection is detected. The next transmission can then begin at the point where the last reflection was detected.

[0030] In another embodiment, the cutting wheel 108 may not have a reflector 306 as a separate element, but a reflector 306 can be embedded on the surface of the cutting wheel 108 facing the sensor 304, comprising a reflective material such that the intensity of light reflected by the sensor 304 can be predicted for different diameters of the cutting wheel 108. Thus, the light source 302 can illuminate part or part of the cutting wheel 108, and the intensity of the received light can be processed to determine the size of the reflective area, and therefore the diameter of the cutting wheel 108. The reflector 306 can be embedded uniformly on the surface of the cutting wheel 108 or in a specific area.

[0031] Although the light source 302 and sensor 304 are shown as being located on the actuator 104, in other examples the light source 302 and / or sensor 304 may be located elsewhere so that the reflector 306 can reflect light from the light source 302 to the sensor 304.

[0032] By determining the diameter of the cutting wheel 108, the rotational speed of the cutting wheel 108 can be adjusted to provide a substantially constant surface speed. The surface speed over time depends on how accurately the diameter of the cutting wheel 108 is determined. However, the cutting device 100 can also predict changes in rotational speed based on the history of size changes of the cutting wheel 108 over time. For example, if the size change is determined by measurements at time T1 and time T2, this rate of change during this period can be used to adjust the rotational speed during periods when the size has not been determined.

[0033] While we have described several examples for measuring the size of the cutting wheel 108, one of various other methods that may be applicable can also be used. For example, the reflector 306 may be a radial stripe made of a lighter colored material or painted white. In some embodiments, no additional reflective material may be embedded in the surface of the cutting wheel 108, but when the cutting wheel 108 is first used, the intensity of light reflected by the surface of the cutting wheel 108 can be used as a baseline, and the size of the cutting wheel 108 can be determined using the decreasing intensity of the reflected light.

[0034] Another method involves determining the power required to rotate the cutting wheel 108 at its current speed, then determining the weight of the cutting wheel 108 based on that power, and thereby determining the diameter of the cutting wheel 108. The power can then be increased as needed to increase the rotational speed of the cutting wheel 108. The power required for a given rotational speed may differ when the cutting wheel 108 is pressed against the article being cut and when it is not in contact with the article being cut. Therefore, one method for determining the power used for a particular rotational speed can be that the power used to drive the cutting wheel 108 decreases, as this can indicate the reduced load when the cutting wheel 108 is removed from the article being cut. The power used to drive the cutting wheel 108 can then be a more accurate representation of the power required to sustain the cutting wheel 108 at that rotational speed for the purpose of determining the size of the cutting wheel 108.

[0035] Other methods can also be used. For example, one can estimate the time the cutting wheel 108 is driven by the actuator 104 and use a rule that the diameter of the cutting wheel 108 decreases by a certain amount for each given amount of time. This estimation can be made more accurate by tracking the time the actuator 104 is under abnormal load, which indicates the time the cutting wheel 108 is pressed against the article being cut. For example, the time measurement could be the period from when the power to the actuator 104 increases, indicating a heavier load, to when the power to the actuator 104 decreases, indicating a reduced load.

[0036] In another example, the cutting device 100 can use a camera as a sensor 304 to determine the size of the cutting wheel 108. The sensor 304 can be a still camera or a video camera. The size of the cutting wheel 108 can be determined by processing the image captured by the sensor 304. For example, edge detection can be performed to obtain the contour of the cutting wheel 108, and the contour of the cutting wheel 108 can be compared with a baseline image of the cutting wheel 108 or a given baseline size. The distance from the sensor 304 to the cutting wheel 108 may be constant or otherwise known, so the size of the cutting wheel 108 can be determined by processing an image of the cutting wheel 108.

[0037] In some other examples, markers are placed at intervals along at least one diameter of the cutting wheel 108. The size of the cutting wheel 108 can be determined by identifying the markers (e.g., via a sensor 304, camera, etc.). The markers can be any article that can distinguish the cutting wheel 108 from the rest of it. For example, the markers can be reflective material, material of a different color, etc., which can be embedded as part of the cutting wheel 108 or painted onto the cutting wheel 108. The markers can also be openings in the cutting wheel 108, for example.

[0038] Furthermore, the electromagnetic spectrum or other parts of sound waves can also be used, if necessary, to perform similar tasks to those described using light.

[0039] Figures 3C and 3D illustrate an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cutting wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 3C and 3D, an actuator 104, a cutting wheel 108, and an article 310 to be cut by the cutting wheel 108 are shown, positioned (e.g., clamped) on a member 312. The actuator 104 includes a sensing device 301 that determines the distance to the surface of member 312. For the sake of simplicity, the position and orientation of the surface of member 312 are assumed to be constant. However, even if the position and / or orientation are not constant, the variation can be compensated for in determining the distance from the sensing device 301 to the surface. The sensing device 301 comprises a light source 302 that transmits light reflected from an object, and a sensor 304 that receives and processes the reflected light to determine the distance from the sensor 304 to the object. Thus, the distance from the sensing device 301 to the surface of member 312 can be determined by the time it takes from when the light is transmitted by the transmitting part until it is received by the receiving part. This time may be referred to as time of flight.

[0040] In other examples, measurements can be made on the surface of the cut article. For example, if member 312 is cut, then the distance to member 312 is measured if it is more convenient to measure the distance to member 312 than the distance to another member that may be supporting member 312. In yet another example, the distance to member 312 and the article 310 supported by member 312 may be measured.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3C, the sensing device 301 determines the distance to the surface of the member 312 when the cutting wheel 108 is at its full size when it first starts the cutting process. The initial measurement provides a baseline for later determining the diameter of the cutting wheel 108. At any point later, as the size of the cutting wheel 108 decreases, the sensing device 301 can determine the distance to the surface of the member 312. Thus, the cutting device 100 can determine the diameter of the cutting wheel 108 and, therefore, can adjust the rotational speed of the cutting wheel 108.

[0042] Figure 3E illustrates an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cutting wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 3E, an actuator 104 and a cutting wheel 108 connected to the actuator 104 by a spindle 107 are shown. The actuator 104 may include a light source 302 and a sensor 304. The cutting wheel 108 may include openings 316a to 316d. The arrangement, shape, and / or number of openings 316a to 316d may be a design dependent on the cutting wheel 108.

[0043] Light from the light source 302 can be transmitted through apertures 316a to 316d, and the beams of light 302a to 302d passing through the apertures 316a to 316d can be detected by individual sensors 304-1 to 304-4. Light from the light source 302 can be transmitted sequentially to each of the apertures 316a to 316d to determine which aperture is present to direct the light towards sensor 304, or light can be irradiated through all apertures 316a to 316d, and the light detected by sensor 304 can determine which aperture is still present, thereby determining the size of the cutting wheel 108. Other embodiments may use a different number of light sources and / or a different number of individual sensors, as shown in Figure 3F. Sensors 304-1 to 304-4 can, for example, compare the detected light to a threshold to determine whether or not light from the light source 302 has been detected. The threshold may differ for each of the different sensors 301-1 to 301-4. This is because, for example, if there is only one light source, the beam of light 302a may be dimmer than the beam of light 302d.

[0044] Various embodiments may not have apertures 316a to 316d, and the sensor 304 can be used to detect light 302z that is not blocked by the cutting wheel 108. That is, the sensor 304 can detect light 302z leaking around the edge of the cutting wheel 108.

[0045] Other embodiments may utilize openings 316a to 316d to similarly detect light 302z leaking around the edge of the cutting wheel 108.

[0046] Although it was explained that light is being transmitted, sound or other wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum can also be used with appropriate transmitters and sensors.

[0047] The transmission of light and the processing of received light can be controlled, for example, by a processing circuit 110 within the cutting device or by some other processing circuit.

[0048] Figure 3F shows an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cutting wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 3F, an actuator 104 and a cutting wheel 108 connected to the actuator 104 by a spindle 107 are shown. The actuator 104 may include a light source 302 and a sensor 304. The cutting wheel 108 in Figure 3F may not have an opening for illuminating light.

[0049] The light source 302 may comprise individual lights 302-1, 302-2, 302-3, and 302-4, which can project narrow beams that can be individually detected by corresponding individual sensors 304-1, 304-2, 304-3, and 304-4. For example, when the cutting wheel 108 is new, the beam of light 302a from individual light 302-1 can be blocked by the outer portion 108a of the cutting wheel 108. However, as the cutting wheel 108 is used, the outer portion 108a may wear down, allowing the beam of light 302a to be detected by sensor 304-1. With further use of the cutting wheel 108, the outer portion 108a may become larger (worn down). Therefore, for example, the processing circuit 110 can determine the size of the cutting wheel 108 by knowing which of sensors 304-1 to 304-4 detects the light. As the cutting wheel 108 wears further, sensors 304-2, 304-3, and 304-4 can also be enabled to detect beams of light 302b, 302c, and 302d, respectively. Similarly, with respect to Figure 3E, there may be a threshold for the light detected by sensors 304-1 to 304-4.

[0050] While it was explained that light is transmitted, sound or other wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum can also be used with appropriate transmitters and sensors.

[0051] The transmission of light and the processing of received light can be controlled, for example, by a processing circuit unit 110 or several other processing circuit units within the cutting device.

[0052] Therefore, as described above, by using various embodiments, it is possible to detect light and / or sound and determine the size of the cutting wheel.

[0053] Figures 3G and 3H illustrate an exemplary method for detecting the size of a cutting wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 3G and 3H, an actuator 104 and a cutting wheel 108 connected to the actuator 104 by a spindle 107 are shown. Figure 3G shows the spindle 107 at a right angle, but other angles may also be used. When the spindle 107 has an angle as shown in Figure 3G, the spindle 107 includes appropriate gears (not shown) to allow the spindle to be bent at a certain angle.

[0054] The light source 302 can transmit light to the cutting edge 111 of the cutting wheel, and the sensor 304 can detect the reflected light from the cutting edge 111. Thus, the size of the cutting wheel 108 can be determined. As the cutting wheel 108 wears down with use, the distance to the cutting edge 111 increases. Therefore, since the initial distance to the cutting wheel 108 and the initial size of the cutting wheel 108 are known, the subsequent size of the cutting wheel 108 can be determined as the distance to the cutting edge 111 changes.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3H, the main axis may be straight, and the light source 302 and sensor 304 can be appropriately positioned to determine the size of the cutting wheel 108.

[0056] Therefore, it can be seen that the size of the cutting wheel 108 can be determined using one of several different methods to adjust its rotational speed and keep the surface speed constant. These various calculations / estimations can be performed by the control circuit 106 using appropriate information from, for example, the sensor 304, the actuator 104, the power source 102, etc. Methods for determining the diameter of the cutting wheel 108 can be classified into two groups, for example. The first group may be called the direct method, and the second group may be called the indirect method.

[0057] The direct method can use information directly related to the cutting wheel 108, for example, by using light reflection from the cutting wheel 108. The indirect method can use information not directly related to the cutting wheel 108. For example, the information may be the distance from the sensor 304 to the surface of the article being cut or the surface of the support member supporting the article being cut, or the power used to drive the cutting wheel 108.

[0058] The size of the cutting wheel 108 can be determined continuously or periodically. Furthermore, size determination can be performed at any time, for example, using the user interface 200, where determination can be requested using the input interface 210 or the remote electronic device 240.

[0059] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for controlling the surface velocity of a cutting wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 4, flowchart 400 is shown having blocks 402-410. Using the exemplary method shown in flowchart 400, the control circuit unit 106 of Figure 1 can be implemented to control the actuator 104 and / or power source 102. For example, the exemplary method can be implemented using machine-readable instructions, which can be stored in memory 112 and / or executed by processing circuit unit 110. The exemplary method will be described below with reference to the cutting device 100 of Figure 1.

[0060] In block 402, the control circuit unit 106 determines initial parameters associated with the cutting wheel 108. For example, the parameters may include the article being cut, the part number of the entire article being cut, the type of abrasive material on the cutting wheel, the size of the cutting wheel, the concentration of the abrasive material on the cutting wheel, the thickness of the cutting wheel, the type of binder material, and / or the hardness of the binder material. The parameters can be determined by the user directly entering the size or the identifier of the cutting wheel 108, and / or by recognizing the electronic mark associated with the cutting wheel 108 and / or the article being cut based on the identifier. Here, the cutting device 100 can look up the parameters of the cutting wheel 108 and / or the article being cut based on the identifier. The information can be entered or read locally via the input interface 210 and / or tag reader 250, or remotely via the electronic device 240 and / or tag reader 250, for example, using the user interface 200.

[0061] Furthermore, the current size of the cutting wheel 108 can be determined using any of the methods described herein or any other method that can be applied to determine the size of the cutting wheel 108. Similarly, a desired surface velocity can be input, or the desired surface velocity can be determined using the identifier of the cutting wheel 108 and / or the input characteristics of the article being cut.

[0062] The determination can be performed, for example, by the processing circuit section 110 of the control circuit section 106, or by any other possible processor which may be part of the cutting device 100.

[0063] In block 404, the control circuit 106 determines the current size of the cutting wheel 108. This can be done periodically or continuously in response to prompts from the user or another person or device. In block 406, the control circuit 106 determines the surface velocity of the cutting wheel 108 based on its current size. The surface velocity SFPM can be determined using the above formula 1: SFPM = (D)(π)(RPM) / 12.

[0064] A value of 3.14 is used for π, D is the diameter of the cutting wheel 108, and RPM is the rotational speed of the cutting wheel 108 per unit time. Therefore, a cutting wheel 108 with an initial diameter of 18 inches rotating at 1860 RPM has an SFPM of π(18)(1860) / 12 = 8761 feet / minute. Note that for greater precision, a larger number of decimal places can be used for π.

[0065] After a while, the diameter of the cutting wheel 108 may be, for example, 16 inches. If the rotation speed is not adjusted to compensate for the smaller diameter, the surface speed at this point will be 7787 feet / minute, in other words, about 11% slower than the desired surface speed.

[0066] In block 408, this surface speed can be compared to a desired surface speed, and the rotational speed of the cutting wheel 108 can be adjusted as needed. If the surface speed is within the desired tolerance range and no adjustment is necessary, the next step can be to block 404. If it is necessary to adjust the surface speed to be within a desired tolerance range, for example, 1%, the next step can be block 410.

[0067] In block 410, the rotational speed can be increased to, for example, 2093 RPM, resulting in a surface speed of 8759 feet / minute. The next step is to proceed to block 404 to determine the size of the cutting wheel 108 again.

[0068] The above-described cutting device 100 provides a general description for the sake of brevity, and other types of cutting devices having other configurations can also be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Thus, the cutting device 100 can have other blocks / functions without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Although various embodiments have been described, other embodiments can also be used in accordance with this disclosure.

[0069] Furthermore, while a specific illustrative flowchart is described, other flowcharts can also be implemented to use the cutting device 100. For example, since Equation 1 is a linear equation, the current diameter (or radius) can be compared to the baseline diameter (radius) to determine whether the rotation speed needs to be adjusted. Alternatively, when determining the diameter of the cutting wheel 108 using light intensity, the intensity can be used directly and compared to the baseline intensity of the cutting wheel 108, if applicable.

[0070] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary method for controlling the surface velocity of a cutting wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 5, a flowchart 500 having blocks 502-506 is shown. Using the exemplary method shown in flowchart 500, the control circuit unit 106 of Figure 1 can be implemented to control the actuator 104 and / or power source 102. For example, the exemplary method can be implemented using machine-readable instructions, which can be stored in memory 112 and / or executed by processing circuit unit 110. An exemplary method is described below with reference to the cutting device 100 of Figure 1.

[0071] In block 502, the control circuit unit 106 determines initial parameters associated with the cutting wheel 108 in a manner similar to that described in block 402 of Figure 4. For example, parameters may include the article being cut, the part number of the entire article being cut, the type of abrasive material on the cutting wheel, the size of the cutting wheel, the concentration of the abrasive material on the cutting wheel, the thickness of the cutting wheel, the type of binder material, and / or the hardness of the binder material. The parameters can be determined by the user directly inputting the size of the cutting wheel 108 or an identifier for the cutting wheel 108, and / or by recognizing an electronic mark associated with the cutting wheel 108 and / or the article being cut based on the identifier. Here, the cutting device 100 can look up the parameters of the cutting wheel 108 and / or the article being cut based on the identifier. The information can be input or read locally via the input interface 210 and / or tag reader 250, or remotely via the electronic device 240 and / or tag reader 250, for example, using the user interface 200.

[0072] Furthermore, the current size of the cutting wheel 108 can be determined using any of the methods described herein or any other method that can be applied to determine the size of the cutting wheel 108. A desired surface velocity can be similarly input, or the desired surface velocity can be determined using the identifier of the cutting wheel 108 and / or the input characteristics of the article being cut.

[0073] The determination can be performed, for example, by the processing circuit section 110 of the control circuit section 106, or by any other possible processor which may be part of the cutting device 100.

[0074] In block 504, the control circuit unit 106 determines the current size of the cutting wheel 108. This can be done periodically or continuously in response to prompts from the user, another person, or a device.

[0075] In block 506, the rotational speed is controlled to correspond to the target surface velocity. The next step is to proceed to block 504 to determine the size of the cutting wheel 108 again.

[0076] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for controlling the operation of a cutting wheel according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 6, flowchart 600 is shown having blocks 602-606. In block 602, the current cutting wheel size is determined. Determination can be performed using any of the various methods described above, or any other suitable method.

[0077] In block 604, the rate of change in the size of the cutting wheel 108 can be determined by comparing the current size with the previous size. If the change in size over time (rate of change) is greater than a threshold rate, the cutting wheel 108 can be stopped in block 606. This may be due to concerns, for example, that the cutting wheel 108 is damaged and ruined. If the rate of change is not greater than the threshold rate, the cutting wheel size can be determined again in block 602. The size determination can be continuous at a certain periodic rate, as required.

[0078] Depending on the rate of change, a warning can be provided to the user of the cutting device 100 equipped with the cutting wheel 108. For example, if the rate of change is less than a first threshold rate but greater than a second threshold rate, a warning can be provided that the cutting wheel 108 is smaller than expected during its use.

[0079] Furthermore, although light was given as an example, other wavelengths such as electromagnetic spectra and sound waves can also be appropriately used to determine speed and / or distance, as well as the presence of a marker. Thus, various embodiments of the present disclosure can determine the diameter and / or surface velocity of the cutting wheel 108 and control the rotational speed of the cutting wheel 108 using any suitable method.

[0080] Various embodiments of this disclosure may disclose a method for controlling the rotational speed of a cutting device by determining the current diameter of the cutting wheel of the cutting device and adjusting the rotational speed of the cutting wheel based on the current diameter so that the surface speed of the cutting wheel is substantially constant. The current diameter can be determined periodically upon request from the user of the cutting device or without user input. The current diameter can be determined, for example, by detecting one or both of the following: light or sound reflected from at least one reflector of the cutting wheel, light or sound reflected from a region of the cutting wheel, light reflected from the edge of the cutting wheel, and / or light reflected and / or received on the opposite side of the cutting wheel from the light. Light or sound can be transmitted toward the cutting wheel by a source on a first side of the cutting wheel and received by a sensor on a second side of the cutting wheel.

[0081] Furthermore, the current diameter can be determined by determining the amount of power used to maintain the current rotational speed. The power used can be any of several suitable power sources, such as electric power. Indirect measurement may also include determining, for example, the distance from the sensor to the surface of the article being cut by the cutting wheel, and / or the distance to the surface of the member supporting the article being cut, and the current diameter of the cutting wheel can be determined using these distances.

[0082] Furthermore, the current diameter can be estimated based on the amount of time the cutting device is operating. For example, it can be assumed that the cutting wheel decreases in size by a specific amount per minute while the cutting device is operating, and the known initial diameter can be appropriately reduced. The initial diameter can be known because the diameter can be entered before operation, or the diameter can be determined based on the cutting wheel identifier entered before operation.

[0083] Similarly, the current diameter can be estimated based on the amount of time the cutting wheel is in contact with the article being cut, and the diameter of the cutting wheel can be known before the initial contact with the article being cut, as described above.

[0084] The current diameter can be compared to the previous diameter, and the rate of change in diameter can be determined. If the rate of change is greater than a first threshold, the rotation speed of the cutting wheel can be adjusted to zero. If the rate of change is less than or equal to the first threshold and greater than or equal to a second threshold, a warning can be issued.

[0085] A constant surface velocity can be one of several constant surface velocities. Here, each of these constant surface velocities can be correlated, for example, with the type of material being cut. Furthermore, a desired surface velocity can be determined using various other parameters.

[0086] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may disclose a cutting device comprising a cutting wheel, an actuator for rotating the cutting wheel, a power source configured to power the actuator for rotating the cutting wheel at an adjustable rotational speed, and a control circuit configured to adjust the rotational speed of the cutting wheel to maintain a substantially constant surface speed.

[0087] A constant surface velocity can be one of several constant surface velocities. The control circuit can be configured to determine the current diameter of the cutting wheel based on the power required to rotate the cutting wheel at the current rotational speed. Alternatively, the control circuit can be configured to adjust the rotational speed of the cutting wheel based on the current diameter to maintain a substantially constant surface velocity of the cutting wheel.

[0088] The sensor may be configured to determine the distance from the sensor to the surface of the article being cut by the cutting wheel, and / or the distance to the surface of the member supporting the article being cut. This distance can then be used to determine the current diameter of the cutting wheel. The sensor may be configured to detect either or both of the light or sound reflected from at least one reflector of the cutting wheel, and the light or sound reflected from the area of ​​the cutting wheel.

[0089] Furthermore, various embodiments of this disclosure may disclose a method for controlling the rotational speed of a cutting device by determining the current surface velocity of the cutting wheel of the cutting device and adjusting the rotational speed of the cutting wheel based on the current surface velocity so that the cutting wheel has a substantially predetermined constant surface velocity.

[0090] Therefore, the method and system can be implemented in hardware, software, and / or a combination of hardware and software. The method and / or system can be implemented centrally in at least one computing system, or in a distributed manner in which different elements are distributed across several interconnected computing systems. Any type of computing system or other device adapted to perform the method described herein is suitable. The hardware and software combination may include a general-purpose computing system, along with a specific program or other code that, when loaded and executed, controls the computing system to perform the method described herein. Another embodiment may include one or more application-specific integrated circuits or chips designed for cutting / grinding tools. Some embodiments may include non-temporary machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) media (e.g., flash memory, optical disks, magnetic storage disks, etc.) that store one or more lines of machine-executable code, thereby causing a machine to perform a process such as that described herein. As used herein, the term “non-temporary machine-readable media” includes all types of machine-readable storage media and is defined as being free from propagated signals.

[0091] As used herein, the terms “circuit” and “circuit section” mean physical electronic components (i.e., hardware) and any software and / or firmware ("code") that can constitute the hardware, that the hardware can execute, and / or that can otherwise be associated with the hardware. As used herein, for example, a particular processor and memory may include a first “circuit” when executing a first set of one or more lines of code, and a second “circuit” when executing a second set of one or more lines of code. As used herein, “and / or” means any one or more items in the list linked by “and / or”. For example, “x and / or y” means any element in the set of three elements {(x), (y), (x,y)}. In other words, “x and / or y” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y and / or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x,y), (x,z), (y,z), (x,y,z)}. In other words, “x, y and / or z” means “one or more of x, y and z.” As used herein, the term “exemplary” means to serve as an unrestricted example, case, or illustration. As used herein, the term “for example” begins a list of one or more unrestricted examples, cases, or illustrations. As used herein, whenever a circuit section includes the hardware and code (if any) necessary to perform a certain function, the circuit section is “operable” to perform that function, regardless of whether the performance of that function is disabled or not (e.g., by a user-configurable setting, factory trim, etc.).

[0092] While the Method and / or System has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of the Method and / or System. For example, blocks and / or components of the disclosed examples can be combined, divided, rearranged, and / or otherwise modified. In addition, many modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the Disclosure to adapt the teachings of the Disclosure to specific circumstances or materials. Therefore, the Method and / or System is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. Instead, the Method and / or System includes all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. The inventions disclosed herein include the following: [Aspect 1] In a method for controlling the rotational speed of a cutting device, To determine the current diameter of the cutting wheel of the aforementioned cutting device, A method comprising adjusting the rotational speed of the cutting wheel based on its current diameter so that the cutting wheel has a surface speed of substantially a predetermined constant surface speed. [Aspect 2] The method according to claim 1, wherein the current diameter is periodically determined upon request by the user of the cutting device or without user input. [Aspect 3] To determine the current diameter, Light or sound reflected from at least one reflector of the cutting wheel, Light or sound reflected from the cutting wheel, The method according to claim 1, which includes detecting one or both of the following. [Aspect 4] The first side source of the cutting wheel transmits light or sound toward the cutting wheel, The method according to claim 3, further comprising receiving the transmitted light or sound with a sensor on the second side of the cutting wheel. [Aspect 5] The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the current diameter includes determining the amount of power used to maintain the current rotational speed. [Aspect 6] The method according to claim 5, wherein the power source is electric power. [Aspect 7] The method of claim 5, wherein determining the current diameter includes determining the distance from the sensor to at least one of the surfaces of the article being cut by the cutting wheel and the member supporting the article, and using the aforementioned distance to determine the current diameter of the cutting wheel. [Aspect 8] To determine the current diameter, The amount of time the cutting device is in operation, or The amount of time the cutting wheel is in contact with the article being cut, The method according to claim 1, based on one or both of the above. [Aspect 9] When the amount of time the cutting device is operating is used, the initial diameter of the cutting wheel when the cutting device starts operating is used. The method according to claim 8, wherein the initial diameter of the cutting wheel before it first contacts the article being cut is used when the amount of time the cutting wheel is in contact with the article being cut is used. [Aspect 10] The method according to claim 1, wherein the constant surface velocity is one of a plurality of constant surface velocities. [Aspect 11] The method according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of constant surface velocities is correlated with the type of material being cut. [Aspect 12] The current diameter is compared with the previous diameter, To determine the rate of change of the current diameter, The method according to claim 1, further comprising adjusting the rotational speed of the cutting wheel to zero if the rate of change is greater than a first threshold. [Aspect 13] The method according to claim 12, comprising providing a warning if the rate of change is less than or equal to the first threshold and greater than or equal to the second threshold. [Aspect 14] Cutting wheel and An actuator for rotating the cutting wheel, A power source configured to supply power to the actuator to rotate the cutting wheel at an adjustable rotational speed, A cutting device comprising: a control circuit configured to adjust the rotational speed of the cutting wheel to maintain a substantially constant surface velocity. [Aspect 15] The cutting device according to claim 14, wherein the constant surface velocity is one of a plurality of constant surface velocities. [Aspect 16] The cutting device according to claim 14, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine the current diameter of the cutting wheel based on the power required to rotate the cutting wheel at the current rotational speed. [Aspect 17] The cutting device according to claim 16, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the cutting wheel based on the current diameter so as to maintain a substantially constant surface velocity of the cutting wheel. [Aspect 18] The cutting device according to claim 16, further comprising a sensor configured to determine the distance from the sensor to at least one of the surfaces of an article being cut by the cutting wheel and a member supporting the article, wherein the current diameter of the cutting wheel is determined using the distance. [Aspect 19] Light or sound reflected from at least one reflector of the cutting wheel, Light or sound reflected from the cutting wheel, The cutting device according to claim 18, further comprising a sensor configured to detect one or both of the following. [Aspect 20] In a method for controlling the rotational speed of a cutting device, To determine the current surface velocity of the cutting wheel of the cutting device, A method comprising adjusting the rotational speed of the cutting wheel based on the current surface speed such that the surface speed of the cutting wheel is substantially constant. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 100 Cutting Devices 102 Power source 104 Actuator 106 Control circuit section 107 Main axis 108 Cutting Wheel 108a outer part 109 Edge 110 Processing circuit section 111 Cutting edge 112 memory 114 Input / Output (I / O) Interfaces 116 Circuit section 118 cutting edge 200 User Interfaces 210 Input Interfaces 220 Output Interfaces 230 Transmitter / Receiver 240 Tag Readers 250 Tag Readers 301 Detection Device 301-1 Sensor 301-2 Sensor 301-3 Sensor 301-4 Sensor 302 Light source 302-1 Light 302-2 Light 302-3 Light 302a light 302b light 302c light 302d light 302z light 304 Sensor 304-1 Sensor 304-2 Sensor 304-3 Sensor 304-4 Sensor 306 Reflector 306a reflector 306b reflector 306c reflector 306d reflector 310 Goods 312 components 316a opening 316b opening 316c opening 316d opening

Claims

1. An actuator that rotates the grinding and cutting wheel, A power source configured to supply power to the actuator to rotate the polishing and cutting wheel at an adjustable rotational speed, A cutting device comprising: a control circuit configured to determine the current diameter of the polishing cutting wheel by determining the power required to rotate the polishing cutting wheel at the current rotational speed and determining the weight of the polishing cutting wheel based on the power, and to reduce the rotational speed of the polishing cutting wheel based on the decrease in the current diameter when the polishing cutting wheel is worn, in order to maintain a substantially constant peripheral speed of the outer surface of the polishing cutting wheel.

2. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the constant peripheral speed of the outer surface is one of the peripheral speeds of a plurality of constant outer surfaces of the polishing cutting wheel.

3. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein when determining the power, the reduced load when the grinding cutting wheel is removed from the article being cut indicates a reduction in the power used to drive the grinding cutting wheel.

4. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the grinding cutting wheel based on its current diameter so as to maintain a substantially constant peripheral speed of the outer surface of the grinding cutting wheel.

5. An actuator that rotates the grinding and cutting wheel, A power source configured to supply power to the actuator to rotate the polishing and cutting wheel at an adjustable rotational speed, A source on the first side of the grinding cutting wheel, configured to transmit light or sound toward the grinding cutting wheel, A plurality of sensors, located on the second side opposite the first side of the grinding cutting wheel and parallel to the radius or diameter of the grinding cutting wheel, are configured to receive the transmitted light or sound. By knowing which of the aforementioned multiple sensors receives light or sound, the current diameter of the polishing and cutting wheel can be determined. A cutting device comprising: a control circuit configured to reduce the rotational speed of the abrasive cutting wheel based on the decrease in the current diameter when the abrasive cutting wheel is worn, so that the peripheral speed of the outer surface of the abrasive cutting wheel has a substantially constant peripheral speed of the outer surface.

6. The cutting device according to claim 5, wherein the current diameter is periodically determined upon request by the user of the cutting device or without user input.

7. The cutting device according to claim 5, wherein the constant peripheral speed of the outer surface is one of the peripheral speeds of a plurality of constant outer surfaces of the polishing cutting wheel.

8. The cutting device according to claim 5, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine the power required to rotate the abrasive cutting wheel at the current rotational speed, to determine the weight of the abrasive cutting wheel based on the power, and to determine the current diameter of the abrasive cutting wheel, and when determining the power, the reduced load when the abrasive cutting wheel is removed from the article being cut indicates the reduction in power used to drive the abrasive cutting wheel.

9. An actuator that rotates the grinding and cutting wheel, A power source configured to supply power to the actuator to rotate the polishing and cutting wheel at an adjustable rotational speed, By determining the power required to rotate the grinding and cutting wheel at its current rotational speed, and by determining the weight of the grinding and cutting wheel based on that power, the current diameter of the grinding and cutting wheel can be determined. In order to ensure that the peripheral speed of the outer surface of the grinding cutting wheel is substantially constant, the rotational speed of the grinding cutting wheel is reduced based on the decrease in the current diameter as the grinding cutting wheel wears down. The current diameter is compared with the previous diameter of the grinding cutting wheel. The rate of change of the current diameter is determined, If the rate of change is greater than a first threshold set to avoid damage to the grinding cutting wheel, the rotational speed of the grinding cutting wheel is adjusted to zero. A cutting device comprising: a control circuit unit configured to provide a warning when the rate of change is less than or equal to the first threshold and greater than or equal to a second threshold set to avoid damage to the polishing cutting wheel and smaller than the first threshold.

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