US00606 1865A

United States Patent (19) 11 Patent Number: 6,061,865

SuSnjara et al. (45) Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
54) DUST COLLECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR CNC 5,159,737 11/1992 Kimura et al. ......................... 15/312.1
ROUTER MACHINES
Primary Examiner Terrence R. Till
75 Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Birdseye; Attorney, Agent, Or Firm-LaloS & Keegan
Michael P Hardesty, Dale; Robert A.
Hardy, Gentryville, all of Ind. 57 ABSTRACT
A dust collector assembly for a toolhead assembly of a
73 Assignee: Thermwood Corporation, Dale, Ind. machine tool, having a base unit, a bracket Supported on the
base unit and pivotal relative thereto about a first axis and a
21 Appl. No.: 09/136,762 tool unit Supported on the bracket and pivotal relative
1-1. thereto about a Second axis, generally consisting of a first
22 Filed: Aug. 19, 1998 duct member Supported on the base unit, having an inlet and
(51) Int. Cl." ................................. A47L 5700; B26D 7/18 an outlet communicable with a vacuum producing Source; a
52 U.S. Cl. ............................. 15/301; 15/339; 15/312.1; second duct member Supported on the bracket, having an
83/100 inlet and an outlet communicating with the inlet of the first
58 Field of Search .......................... 15,301,303, 3.12.1,
15/339; 83/100
duct member through a first slip ring connection disposed
coaxially with the first axis, and third duct Supported on the
bracket, having an inlet disposed adjacent a tool of the tool
56) References Cited unit and an outlet communicating with the inlet of the
Second duct through a Second slip ring connection disposed
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS coaxially with the Second axis.
3,880,047 4/1975 Dosier ....................................... 83/100
4,864,679 9/1989 Briner ....................................... 15/339 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets

10N
U.S. Patent 6,061,865

FIG. 2
U.S. Patent May 16, 2000 Sheet 3 of 4 6,061,865
U.S. Patent May 16, 2000 Sheet 4 of 4 6,061,865
 6,061,865
1 2
DUST COLLECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR CNC unit, having an inlet and an outlet communicable with a
ROUTER MACHINES Vacuum producing Source; a Second duct Supported on the
bracket, having an inlet and an outlet communicating with
This invention relates to a dust collector assembly and the inlet of the first duct through a first Slip ring connection
more particularly a dust collector assembly for 5-axis CNC disposed coaxially with the first axis, and a third duct
machine tools. Supported on the bracket, having an inlet disposed adjacent
a tool of the tool unit and an outlet communicating with the
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION inlet of the Second duct through a Second Slip ring connec
Computer numerically controlled machines commonly tion disposed coaxially with the Second axis.
used in the Woodworking, plastics and aerospace industries DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
for routing, Shaping, drilling, Sawing, chiseling and Sanding EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
or otherwise finishing workpieces typically are equipped Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a
with tools which may be traversed along a number of axes 5-axis CNC router machine 10 which is operated by a
or traversed and rotated along or about a number axes. Those 15 controller 11. The machine generally includes a base mem
machines in which the tool may be traversed along orthogo ber 12, a worktable 13 Supported on the base member, a
nal or X y or Z-axes commonly are referred to as 3-axis gantry 14, a toolhead Support assembly 15 Supported on the
machines, and those in which the tool may be both traversed gantry and a toolhead assembly 16 Supported on the tool
along orthogonal axes and rotated about two additional axes head support assembly. Worktable 13 is mounted on a pair
displaced 90° apart commonly are referred to as 5-axis of longitudinally disposed, transversely spaced guideways
machines. 3-axis machines typically are used for machining for displacement longitudinally or along an X-axis. Gantry
flat workpieces Such as tabletops, door panels and the like, 14 includes a pair of leg sections 17 and 18 disposed astride
and 5-axis machines typically are used for trimming work base member 12 and a transverse bridge Section 19 Spanning
pieces of more complex three-dimensional configurations the upper ends of the leg Sections. Toolhead Support assem
Such as molded plastic housings and the like. 25 bly 15 is Supported on a Set of transversely disposed guide
Both of Such types of machines also are usually provided ways 20 and 21 provided on bridge section 19 for displace
with dust collector assemblies which function to remove ment transversely along an y-axis. Toolhead assembly 16
dust and other particles from the vicinity of the cutting tool. Similarly is Supported on a pair of transversely spaced,
The design, manufacture and installation of Such assemblies Vertically disposed guideways on Support assembly 15 for
for 3-axis machines is relatively simple due to the more displacement vertically or along a Z-axis. Various feed Screw
limited degrees of movement of the cutting tool. Because of types of drives are employed for displacing the worktable
the number of additional degrees of movement of the cutting along the y-axis, the toolhead Support assembly along the
tool in 5-axis machines, the design, manufacture and instal y-axis and the toolhead assembly along the Z-axis. The
lation of Such assemblies is more complicated and difficult. toolhead assembly includes a base member 30, a C-shaped,
It thus is the principal object of the present invention to 35 depending bracket member 31 pivotally connected to the
provide a novel dust collector assembly for a 5-axis machine base member for rotational movement about a vertical or the
which is simple in design, comparatively inexpensive and Z-axis, and a tool unit 32 mounted on the lower end of the
easy to manufacture and install, highly effective in perfor bracket member and rotatable relative to the bracket about
mance and durable in Service. an A-axis displaced 90° relative to the Z-axis of the machine.
40 Bracket member 31 includes a first horizontal section 31a
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS pivotally connected to the base member, a vertical Section
31b and a second horizontal section 31c spaced below and
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a 3-axis CNC router parallel to horizontal section 31a. Tool unit 32 is supported
machine unequipped with any dust collector assembly; on and rotational relative to bracket Section 31C and includes
FIG. 2 is a partial, perspective view of the machine shown 45 a pair of coaxially disposed tool holders 33 and 34 provided
in FIG. 1, equipped with a dust collector assembly embody with a set of tool bits extending in opposite directions along
ing the present invention; the axis thereof
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dust collector assembly The machine as described operates in a manner whereby
shown in FIG. 2, illustrating the members thereof in Several ServomotorS operated by the controller function to
exploded relation; 50 displace table 13 along the X-axis, toolhead Support assem
FIG. 4 is a croSS-Sectional view taken along line 4-4 in bly 15 along the y-axis and toolhead assembly 16 along the
FIG. 2; Z-axis, rotate bracket member 31 about the Z-axis and tool
unit 32 about the A-axis and drive the tool bits of the tool
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in unit to perform a machining function on a workpiece Sup
FIG. 3; 55 ported on worktable 13. A more detailed description of the
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in construction and operation of a 5-axis machine is provided
FIG. 3; and in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 08/586,251, filed Jan. 11,
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cap section shown in 1996 now Pat. 5,808,888.
FIG. 3, having a portion thereof broken away. Dust and other particles produced by the cutting action of
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
60 the tool bits of the tool unit are removed by a dust collector
assembly 40 shown in FIGS. 2 through 7. The assembly
The present invention provides a dust collector assembly includes a first duct member 41 Supported on base member
for a toolhead assembly of a machine tool, having a base 16 of the toolhead assembly and connectable to a vacuum
unit, a bracket Supported on the base unit and pivotal relative producing Source, a Second duct member 42 Supported on
thereto about a first axis and a tool unit Supported on the 65 bracket member 31 communicating with first duct member
bracket and pivotal relative thereto about a Second axis, 41 through a slip ring connection 43 and a third duct 44
generally consisting of a first duct Supported on the base mounted on tool unit 32 and Supported on bracket member
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31 and communicating with Second duct member 42 through connection 43 and about the A-axis by means of the Slip
a slip ring connection. connection between duct member 44 and duct member 42,
As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, slip ring connection 43 and a vacuum can be applied to assembly 40 for removing
includes a pair of components 45 and 46. Component 45 dust and other particles produced by the cutting action of the
consists of an annular, outer wall member 47 having a pair tool bits during operation. Furthermore, the toolhead assem
of circumferentially spaced openings 48 and 49 communi bly will be free to traverse along the X, y and Z axes of the
cating with a pair of housing Sections 50 and 51 respectively, machine and rotate about the Z and A-axis to permit either
mounted on the outer surface of member 47. Such housings of the tool bits to traverse a cutting path in accordance with
provide tangentially disposed channels which communicate a Selected program executed by the controller.
through outlet ports 52 and 53 with first duct member 41 and It is contemplated that the various components of the duct
a similar duct member also Supported on the toolhead collector assembly be constructed of a molded, lightweight
assembly and connectable to a vacuum producing Source. plastic material. It further is contemplated that the compo
Component 46 is adapted to be received within coaxially nents of Such assembly be installed on the toolhead assem
member 47, cooperate with member 47 to provide an bly simply by attaching component 45 to the base member
annular channel communicating with openings 48 and 49 15
of the toolhead assembly, attaching duct member 60 to
and rotate relative to member 47 about a common axis. bracket 71 of the tool unit, slipping component 46 with duct
component 46 has a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration member 42 attached thereto up along bracket 31 to position
and includes an annular, inner wall Section 53 adapted to be component 46 coaxially within component 45 and then
spaced from and disposed parallel relative to member 47 connecting the lower end of duct member 42 to duct
when component 46 is received within annular outer mem component 60 through the slip ring connection therebetween
ber 47, and a pair of upper and lower wall sections 54 and and then mounting cap components 61 and 62 on base
55 which cooperate with annular inner wall section 53 and components 60 with the tool holders of the tool unit being
annular outer wall member 47 to provide the annular chan received within the center openings of the cap components.
nel communicating with openings 48 and 49. The assembly thus formed and installed will be of a
The upper end of duct member 42 is provided with a 25 Sufficient light weight So as not to adversely effect the
flange 56 defining an outlet 57, which is rigidly secured to dynamics of the machine, will permit the tool unit to be
the inner side of inner wall section 53 of component 46 so freely rotated about the Z and A-axes and will effectively
that outlet opening 57 registers with an opening 58 in wall remove dust and other particles produced by the cutting
Section 53 to intercommunicate the interior of duct member action of the tool bits.
42 with the annular channel formed by the insertion of From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident
component 46 within component 45. The rigid connection of that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modi
the upper end of duct member 42 with component 46 not fications of the present invention which come within the
only provides intercommunication between the interior of province of those perSons having ordinary skill in the art to
duct member 42 and the annular channel of the slip ring which the aforementioned invention pertains. However, it is
connection but permits duct member 42 to rotate with 35 intended that all Such variations not departing from the Spirit
component 46 about the Z-axis relative to component 45. of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof a
Duct member 44 includes a base component 60 and a pair S limited Solely by the appended claims.
of cap components 61 and 62. Base component 60 includes We claim:
a base Section 63 having a hub portion 64 defining an outlet 1. A dust collector assembly for a toolhead assembly of a
65 and a pair of leg sections 66 and 67. The leg sections are 40 machine tool, having a base unit, a bracket Supported on Said
provided with a set of Spaced, parallel duct Segments 68 and base unit and pivotal thereto about a first axis and a tool unit
69 communicating with outlet 65 through base end leg Supported on Said bracket and pivotal relative thereto about
sections 63, 66 and 67. Base component 60 is supported on a Second axis, comprising:
bracket member Section 31c by means of a set of connecting a first duct Supported on Said base unit, having an inlet and
strips 70 secured to a mounting bracket 71 (FIG. 1) on the 45 an outlet communicable with a vacuum producing
tool unit, and communicates through outlet 65 with an inlet SOurce,
of duct member 42 and is pivotal with tool unit 32 relative a Second duct Support on Said bracket, having an inlet and
to duct member 42 through a slip ring connection of hub an outlet communicating with the inlet of Said first duct
portion 64 and a portion of the lower end of duct member 42, through a first Slip ring connection disposed coaxial
about the A-axis. When duct component 60 is mounted on 50 with Said first axis, and
bracket 71, tool unit 32 will be received between leg sections a third duct Supported on Said bracket, having an inlet
66 and 67 thereof with the tool holders 33 and 34 and their disposed adjacent a tool of Said tool unit and an outlet
respective tool bits projecting outwardly beyond the ends of communicating with the inlet of Said Second duct
duct segments 68 and 69. Cap components 61 and 62 are through a Second slip ring connection disposed coaxi
Substantially identical in configuration. AS best shown in 55 ally with Said Second axis.
FIG. 3, cap section 61 includes a center opening 72 for 2. A dust collector assembly according to claim 1 wherein
receiving tool holder 33 therethrough, and a set of channels first Slip ring connection includes upper and lower annual
73 and 74 which intercommunicate an outer end of opening wall members and inner and outer annular wall members
72 with the interiors of segments 68 and 69 when the cap defining a closed annular channel, one of Said wall members
component is mounted on the base component. Cap com 60 being rigidly connected to Said first duct and having an
ponent 61 and 62 further are provided with brushes 75 and opening intercommunicating Said closed, annular channel
76 each of which are adapted to encompass a tool bit and and the interior of Said first duct, and another of said wall
engage a workpiece being machined to isolate the dust and members being rigidly connected to Said Second duct and
particles produced by the cutting action of the tool bit. having an opening intercommunicating Said closed, annular
With the dust collector assembly as described mounted on 65 channel and the interior of Said Second duct.
toolhead assembly 16, as shown in FIG. 2, tool unit 32 will 3. A dust collector assembly according to claim 1 wherein
be free to pivot about the Z-axis by means of slip ring Said first Slip ring connection includes a first component an
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annular, outer Side wall member and a Second component 7. A dust collector assembly according to claim 4 includ
including upper and lower, annular wall members and an ing means disposed on Said annular Outer wall member
annular, inner Side wall member connecting Said upper and comprising Said first component, defining a channel dis
lower wall members to form a component having a posed tangentially relative to Said annular channel, inter
C-shaped cross-sectional configuration, received within Said communicating Said annular channel and the inlet of Said
first component to form a closed annular channel, one of Said first duct.
components being rigidly connected to Said first duct and 8. A dust collector assembly according to claim 1 wherein
having an opening intercommunicating Said closed annular Said third duct is provided with at least one cap component
channel and the interior of said first duct, and the other of including Said inlet opening of Said third duct.
Said components being rigidly connected to Said Second duct 1O
9. A dust collector assembly according to claim 1 wherein
and having an opening intercommunicating Said closed
annular channel and the interior of Said Second duct. Said third duct member includes a unshaped component
4. A dust collector assembly according to claim3 wherein having a base Section disposed Substantially perpendicular to
Said first component is connected to Said first duct, and Said the axis of rotation of Said Second slip ring connection, and
Second component is connected to Said Second duct. 15 a pair of leg Sections disposed Substantially parallel to the
5. A dust collector assembly according to claim 4 wherein axis of rotation of Said Second slip ring connection.
Said Second duct is connected to Said annular inner wall of 10. A dust collector assembly according to claim 1
Said Second component. wherein Said ducts and Slip ring connections are formed of
6. A dust collector assembly according to claim 4 wherein a molded, lightweight plastic material.
Said first duct is connected to Said annular outer wall
member comprising Said first component.