TM 9-3418-200-14 & P
Contour or form cutting, indicates a curved surface or outline. Often the form of the contour is laid out on the end of the
work. An example of contour cutting is shown in figure 48. The steps used in cutting the contour pictured are shown in
figure 49.
The first step is to make a series of horizontal cuts using the automatic feed and removing excess metal as shown in
figure 50. A left hand cutting tool was used to remove the metal on the right side of the work. A right-cut tool was used to
remove the excess metal at the left side of the work as shown in figure 51.
A V-shaped cutting tool with a round nose was then clamped in the tool holder and a roughing cut made as follows; the
table was moved in order to start the roughing cut at the right end of the work. The automatic feed was set so that the
horizontal travel was relatively slow (approximately 0.002 per stroke). The belt was moved to the pulley step giving the
lowest stroke speed. With the horizontal travel regulated automatically the operator now follows the contour of the work by
gradually feeding the vertical feed crank up and down as the work travels across under the cutting tool. With a little
practice and the machine slowed down the operator will find this process not as difficult as it first appears
(figures 52 and 53).
After one or two light roughing cuts the cutting should have progressed to a fairly accurate line so that a finishing cut is
now possible. If the curve of the final contour is fairly slow, the finishing tool may be ground to a more blunt curve allowing
a more gradual slope to the finishing strokes.
SPECIAL CLAMPING JOBS
A hole is provided in the side of the work table for the vise stud so that the vise may be secured in the position shown in
figure 54. Odd shaped castings or special setups may thus be made positioning the work under the cutter head where
excessive over-hang might otherwise have been found objectionable.
Round work may be mounted vertically making use of the V-slot in the side of the work table, clamping plates, and bolts.
The work is thus held securely for end machining operations (fig. 55)
ACCESSORIES
Various other accessories, jigs, and special fixtures are used for clamping specialized work to the work table of the shaper
for machining operations.
Accurately machined V-blocks may be used to hold round stock securely in position for machining to various shapes,
bevels, etc. (fig. 56) The rotary table with its T-slots for clamping is efficient and accurate for machining serrations,
grooves, and hundreds of other beveling and machining operations at various angles from the standard stroke direction
(fig. 57) The indexing head as shown in figure 58 is extremely efficient and practical for a wide variety of specialized
shaper operations.
The extension shaper tool holder shown in figure 59 is a rigid tool for internal work. It is well adapted for internal die work,
internal keyways, or for any work on the shaper in which extra clearance is needed. You will notice that the head is
adjusted so that the rear of the extension goes into the opening at the top of the column on the return stroke of the ram.
Adjust the head carefully and check with the hand wheel before turning on the power.
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