Cold Saw/V1 Design Rationale/Basic Concept
Introduction
Simply put, the Cold Saw cuts materials.
More specifically, the Cold Saw rotates a circular blade with sharp teeth to chip away at the material being cut.
The Cold Saw is "cold" because the thermal energy generated during the cutting process is transferred to the chips instead of the blade or the remaining material.
Different material compositions, shapes, dimensions all determine how fast the blade should spin (rotation speed) and how quickly the blade should move into the workpiece (feed rate). If the feed rate is too high, the blade is in danger of jamming and breaking. If the feed rate is too low, the blade's durability will not be maximized.
Cold Saw blades can be resharpened many times!
Objectives
The Cold Saw must be able to make angled cuts of at least 45 degrees in both directions.
The centered swivel angle must have a precision locking mechanism
The vise must be compatible with 45 degree cuts for at least 1" wide materials.
The vise must be able to clamp up to 4" wide materials.
The parts must not interfere with each other's operation.
Rationale
Should the blade move towards the workpiece, or the workpiece move toward the blade, or both?
http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Cold_Saw/V1_Design_Rationale/Basic_Concept/Movement
Things to keep in mind regarding the Cold Saw as a whole...
Classification
A system to rotate the blade.
A system to move the blade closer to the workpiece.
A system to hold the workpiece.