Billy Burford

US Patent:

42651506, May 5, 1981

Filed:

Apr 9, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/028553

Inventors:

Billy R. Burford - Canon City CO

Assignee:

Portec, Inc. - Oak Brook IL

International Classification:

B23B 336
B23B 2500

US Classification:

82 17

Abstract:

A variable follower rest for a lathe for supporting tapered shafts and similar shafts of varying diameter as they are being turned. The follower rest includes a bearing arm above and another bearing diametrically opposite to the cutting tool to resist the lift and thrust of the cutting tool against the shaft. Through master-slave actuators the bearing arms move towards and away from the center of the shaft in unison with corresponding movements of the cutting tool to always engage the shaft as the diameter of the shaft varies.