The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 03, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 30, 1999
William B Scott, Rochelle, IL (US);
W. A. Whitney Co., Rockford, IL (US);
Abstract
A scrap removal system for a laser-equipped machine tool. The scrap removal system has a home position in which all of its components, including a scraper assembly and a drive are out of the range of the laser beam, so that they are protected from laser damage. A stationary slag and scrap collection bed is provided below the cutting zone. The scrap removal system is periodically activated, at times when the laser is off. The drive has drive components which span the length of the bed out of the path of the laser. The drive is energized to pull a scraper assembly through the machine with a plow having a lower surface in contact with the stationary collection bed for scraping slag and pushing it toward the open end of the machine. When the machine reaches the end of its travel, the drive, as it continues its motion, automatically raises the plow, pushes the scrap off the end, then returns to its home and protected position, with the plow out of contact with the collection bed so as not to pull debris back into the machine. The scraper assembly remains in its home position until the next actuated cycle.