Epicycloidal Cutting Frame
Overview
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Epicycloidal Cutting Frames (sometimes called a Geometric Cutting Frame) are ridiculously complex cutting frames that are basically the merger of an Eccentric Cutting Frame with a Geometric Chuck , taking them to a new level.
Epicycloidal cutting frames are typically used with for adding designs to the end of an object, especially with guilloché type of work. Also, miniature cutting heads can be used in place of the fly cutter to allow for deeper cuts (Fred Armbruster developed one).
Figure 285 Turning and Mechanical Manipulation, vol. 5
I have heard that these were developed (in the 1800s or early 1900s) for lathes which did not have rocking headstocks. It apparently gave great functionality at a smaller scale (and smaller cost) for the hobbyist who could not afford the grander machines.
Additional pictures of this device
 Picture courtesy Jon Magill |
 Picture courtesy Jon Magill |
Examples of this device in use
Peter W Gilroy has a great snippet of one of these in action on this Instagram posting.
More Information
Books
- Hotzapffel, Volume VI, by John Edwards
- Notes on the Epicycloidal Cutting Frame (1872), by Thomas Bazely.
- Turning and Mechanical Manipulation, vol. 5 - The Principles and Practice of Ornamental or Complex Turning (1884), by John Jacob Holtzapffel.
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