| CPC B27F 1/04 (2013.01) [B27B 7/04 (2013.01); B27B 25/04 (2013.01); B27B 27/02 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
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20. An automated cutting for scenic flats construction method for cutting wide and deep dadoes a workpiece set of boards, the automated cutting for scenic flats construction method comprising:
(i) providing an automated cutting for scenic flats construction system comprising:
(a) a controller adapted to control operation according to changeable parameters of operation;
(b) a main unit having a support stand adapted to support a main-unit shell having a front and back and sides and a substantially open top and bottom;
(c) a fence mounted at the bottom of said main-unit shell, adapted to guide movement of the workpiece through said main unit;
(d) adjustment screw jacks mounted on said support stand adapted to adjust the height of said main-unit shell above said support stand;
(e) a sled unit having a sled base plate mounted within said main-unit shell on linear-bearing tracks adapted to allow movement only along a front-to-back axis;
(f) a motor mounted on said sled unit, adapted to provide rotational force under control of said controller;
(g) a power transmission subsystem mounted on said sled unit, adapted to transmit rotational power from said motor;
(h) a wide one-pass dado blade assembly mounted on said power transmission subsystem and extending below said sled base plate with an axis of rotation perpendicular to the front-to-back axis;
(i) at least one sled actuator mounted between said main-unit shell and said sled unit, adapted to move said sled unit along said linear-bearing tracks along the front-to-back axis under control of said controller;
(j) an infeed table removably mounted to said support stand and extending to a first side of said main unit, adapted to support the workpiece before movement through said main unit;
(k) two hold-down clamps mounted on said main-unit shell at the sides and above said fence, adapted to clamp and to release the workpiece under control of said controller;
(l) a drive chain mounted on said infeed table;
(m) a chain sprocket mounted on said infeed table, adapted to drive said drive chain;
(n) a drive dog adapted to be driven by said drive chain and to move the workpiece along said infeed table toward said main unit;
(o) a chain-drive motor mounted on said infeed table, adapted to drive said chain sprocket, said drive chain, and said drive dog along said infeed table under control of said controller;
(p) a receiving table removably mounted to said support stand and extending to a second side of said main unit, adapted to support the workpiece after movement through said main unit; and
(q) a positioning stop movably mounted on said receiving table, adapted to define an initial position for placement of the workpiece;
(ii) setting the desired parameters of operation on said controller;
(iii) placing the workpiece on said infeed table;
(iv) advancing the workpiece through said main unit;
(v) placing the workpiece leading end against said positioning stop;
(vi) placing said drive dog at the workpiece trailing end with said dog driving plate against the workpiece and engaging said dog driven plate with said drive chain;
(vii) commanding said controller to start;
(viii) observing the automated operation cutting an accurately spaced series of wide and deep dadoes through the workpiece set of boards, cleanly and accurately, in one pass for each cut;
(ix) removing the set of workpiece boards from said receiving table after the automated operation is finished; and
(x) using the workpiece boards as studs or stiles for construction of scenic flats.
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