The use for this machine is to cut precision holes, with their cut-surfaces verticle, through the hull-thicknesses of Trident & other attack submarines in order to easily fit missle launch-tubes into those vessels. The machine is relatively simple in concept with only 3-servoed axes (ext/retract, rotate & in/out). The complexity of the application is due to the fact that the desired cut of a circular or elliptical hole is not "normal" to any surface on the vessel except the deck, combined with the constraint of cutting through a multi-curvaliniar surface.

The procedure followed is that 1st a "pilot hole" is cut, 2nd the machine is then placed, using a fixturing system, 3rd a simple CNC program, describing a circular or elliptical path as if the cut-surface were flat is loaded, 4th after moving a digital probe in place (located where the torch would be when actually cutting) the initial program is run with the controller in digitizing mode (in/out axis servoed to keep the probe at it's "null" position). The controller recoards the actual path required because the probe faithfully follows the hull surface. 5th the torch is then put in place, the cut is started & the recoarded actual path is followed. The availability of full CNC functionality in the controller background allows appropriate operators to perform unusual work & to modify the machine's operation when necessary.

The machine was constructed by our OEM customer using custom design as is appropriate for custom equipment. Actek provided the custom software required as well as the controller & servo equipment in less time than it took to construct the machine. Brushless servo motors & drives were used for all 3-axes of motion.

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