Makino Inc.

Stan C Weidmer

David C Woodruff

A tool for working a workpiece comprises an elongate member and a cam member. The elongate member comprises at least two extremities comprising at least one blade member. The at least two extremities are operable to separate in response to a pressurized medium. A conduit is in fluid communication with the extremities, and a pair of vents are in fluid communication with the conduit. The vents are operable to expel fluid communicated through the conduit. The cam member comprises an inner surface defining an opening. The inner surface of the cam resists expulsion of fluid from the vents, such that the cam and vents are operable to vary the pressure of fluid communicated through the conduit. The pressure variation varies the separation of the extremities as the elongate member is advanced through the cam toward a workpiece. The tool may be used to create bores having a non-cylindrical profile.

Method and apparatus for producing a shaped bore

A tool has a slot provided between a pair of extremities at its distal end. The extremities have cutting blades mounted thereon. The slot is configured to receive a plate. The tool has a conduit running along its axis for communication of pressurized fluid to the slot and plate. The plate directs flow of the pressurized fluid outward toward the extremities. The resulting outward force causes the extremities to bend outward, thereby urging the cutting blades outward for cutting, reaming, or other working of the workpiece. The resilience of the tool causes the extremities to return back inward when the fluid pressure is reduced. A plate may be configured to receive a wafer for transferring force from the pressurized fluid to the extremities. Some embodiments of the plate have an adjustment feature that is operable to selectively adjust the flow rate or pressure of fluid directed toward the extremities.

Tool with selectively-biased member having an adjustment feature

A rotating cutting tool is selectively biasable in the radial direction based on the angular orientation of the cutting blade, which may be used to create a non-axis symmetric feature in a bore. The radial position of the cutting blade may be controlled by selectively pressurized fluid whose pressure is varied based on the angular orientation of the tool. A plurality of vents may be selectively covered and uncovered to vent pressurized fluid to vary the pressure thereof.

Tool with selectively biased member and method for forming a non-axis symmetric feature

A tool for working a workpiece has a slot provided between a pair of extremities at its distal end. The extremities have cutting blades mounted thereon. The slot is configured to receive a plate. The tool has a conduit running along its axis for communication of pressurized fluid to the slot and plate. The plate directs flow of the pressurized fluid outward toward the extremities. The resulting outward force causes the extremities to bend outward, thereby urging the cutting blades outward for cutting, reaming, or other working of the workpiece. The resilience of the tool causes the extremities to return back inward when the fluid pressure is reduced. A plate may be configured to receive a wafer for transferring force from the pressurized fluid to the extremities.

Tool with selectively-biased member

An apparatus comprises a rotating member having one or more rollers. The one or more rollers have a plurality of protuberances. The rollers may be advanced toward a surface during rotation of the rotating member, such as toward a bore surface. The protuberances are configured to make a pattern of discrete indentations in the surface upon engagement of the protuberances with the surface. The apparatus is particularly suited for creating oil-retention pockets in the surface of an engine cylinder and other uses. The apparatus may be used to create a pattern of oil-retention pockets or other pockets in a cylinder with varying pocket density in a single pass.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Stan C Weidmer