Abstract: A boring bar in which a cutter element holder is adjustable around a transverse pivot axis, so that different cutting elements can be used to machine the hole surface during movement of the boring bar in opposite directions. The transverse pivot axis is defined by a torsional hinge that automatically returns the holder to a neutral position when the adjustment force is removed.

Abstract: An indexable cutting insert having a polycrystalline cutting edge along the entire periphery of the insert, comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and a side wall extending unbroken therebetween to form a body, said body comprised of a composite wafer of cemented carbide, polycrystalline material and cemented carbide material, a cutting edge formed of polycrystalline material, and a chip breaker rearward of the cutting edge, said chip breaker formed by removal of a portion of cemented carbide from the at least one of the top or bottom surface of the insert at the junction of the sidewall and the top or bottom surface.

Abstract: Alternative tool wear compensation modules employing drawbar actuated tool position adjustment or electrically activated solid-state prime mover adjustment including means for physically sensing and verifying the extent of adjustment without awaiting the gaging of successive work piece dimensions following compensation adjustment. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric stack is employed with a flexure unit mounted tool to produce adjustment deflection through controlled voltage applied to the piezoelectric stack.

Abstract: A method of making a continuously sintered ceramic body. A ceramic green body is prepared from a powder mixture comprising alumina, TiC (or Ti(C,N)), in a weight ratio of alumina to TiC of about 40:60-95:5, a densification aid, and TiO.sub.2 in a weight ratio of TiO.sub.2 to alumina plus TiC of 0:100 to about 2:98. The green body is prefired, then continuously rapid sintered by heating in a belt furnace in Ar or N.sub.2 containing up to 8 w/o H.sub.2 to about 1800.degree.-1920.degree. C. for a time sufficient to achieve a density of at least about 4.12 g/cc. The rate of travel of the prefired body through the belt furnace provides a heating rate above about 800.degree. C. between about 225.degree. C./min. and the rate at which the body experiences thermal shock. Carbon monoxide is intoduced to the atmosphere during the sintering step only after the temperature exceeds about 1400.degree. C. The amount of CO introduced is selected to inhibit reaction between the alumina and TiC.

Abstract: A machine tool system includes a clamping unit installable on the head of a cutting machine, and a tool holder insertable into the clamping unit. The clamping unit includes an annular guide member and a sleeve telescoped onto the guide member. A flat drive key is positioned in an axial slot in the sleeve to establish a driving connection between the clamping unit and the tool holder. The tool holder is wedged into the clamping unit by means of radially-movable wedge lock elements and an axially movable drawbar.

Abstract: A method of designing a cutting tool uses finite element numerical models to predict a response of the tool during a simulated cutting operation on a workpiece, and to simulate a chip-flow phenomenon occurring during the cutting operation. The chip-flow model incorporates representations of a fracture mechanism describing a chip separation phenomenon, a heat-generating mechanism describing a thermal coupling phenomenon, and a shear localization mechanism describing a shearing phenomenon wherein these phenomena occur during the cutting operation. The predicted tool response and the chip-flow simulation are evaluated by an artificial intelligence system to render rule-based judgments which are embodied in recommendations for continuously modifying the models and input design variables until the simulation and response converge to an optimal result.

Abstract: An article made of an ultra fine grained cemented carbide material and a process for making the same.

Abstract: End mill with indexable insert located ahead of center with positive and axial radial rake provided by a top face configured with a diagonal concave cylindrical arc providing two indexable high cutting points.

Abstract: An adjustable cutting assembly includes a wedge member extending transversely through a clearance opening in a sleeve portion of a cutting element adapter that is slidable supported on a rotary arbor. Radial motion of the wedge member can be used to shift the adapter axially on the arbor, thereby adjusting or controlling the depth of cut of the cutting element. An axially oriented locking bolt is used to clamp the wedge member between opposed guide surfaces on the adapter and arbor, so that during machining operations the tool assembly has the rigidity of a non-adjustable tool assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a sintered ceramic body for applications such as wear resistant parts and cutting tools. A green body is prepared from a powder mixture including alumina, TiC or (Ti(C,N)), a densification aid, and TiO.sub.2. The weight ratio of alumina to TiC in the body is about 40:60 to about 95:5; that of TiO.sub.2 to alumina plus TiC is 0:100 to about 2:98. The green body is rapid sintered by heating in a sintering atmosphere to about 1800.degree.-1920.degree. C. for a time sufficient to achieve a density of at least about 4.20 g/cc. The heating rate above about 800.degree. C. is between about 120.degree. C./min and the rate at which the green body experiences thermal shock. The sintering atmosphere is Ar-H.sub.2 or N.sub.2 -H.sub.2 in a molar ratio of Ar or N.sub.2 to H.sub.2 of about 92:8 to 100:0. Carbon monoxide is introduced to the sintering atmosphere only after the sintering temperature exceeds about 1400.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for making a non magnetic Ni-WC cemented carbide composition and articles made from the same. The process comprises:(a) dewaxing a green Ni-WC cemented carbide substrate in the presence of hydrogen gas at a pressure less than about 1000 torr and at a sufficient flow rate and a sufficient time to affect the saturation magnetization and magnetic permeability of the Ni-WC cemented carbide substrate;(b) pumping out the hydrogen gas and introducing argon at a pressure in the range of about 1 torr to 1000 torr;(c) increasing the temperature up to the sintering temperature to facilitate sintering of the Ni-WC cemented carbide substrate; and;(d) cooling the furnace to room temperature.The articles made according to this invention are useful as wear parts for electronic instruments and as punches form aluminum beverage cans.

Abstract: An adjustable cartridge to be mounted in the end of a boring bar, the cartridge including an anvil rotatably affixed to said boring bar, said anvil including a pocket into which a indexable insert is affixed. The anvil is secured in an axially oriented slot which includes an arcuate seating face which includes a key and key way slot. Rotation of the anvil within the slot effects radial adjustment of the insert a key pin serves to pivotally secure the cartridge within the pocket. In addition, the level or back taper of the insert can be adjusted.

Abstract: An indexable, on edge, reversible cutting insert for use with a boring toolhead, comprising a body having parallelogram shaped top and bottom seating faces equipped with an off center aperture there through, and at least one cutting face. The cutting face is equipped with a bidirectional chip breaker groove on each side of the cutting face to define an island, each side groove having a slotting, progressively deepening recess extending along the edge of said cutting face, said groove presenting an increasing incident angled and having a positive rake and an axial rake around the edge of the cutting face, which together form an obtuse angle, said groove forming at least two cutting corners diagonally apposed to each other. Each cutting corner is comprised of a scalloped radius formed in the island which intersects a chip directional flat formed in the groove, at an obtuse angle to form a bidirectional pocket area.

Abstract: A cutting tool employing negative cutting inserts providing both high volume stock removal and a fine surface finish. The insert utilizes negative radial and positive axial rake angles and incorporates a lead angle of between about 30.degree. degrees to about 90.degree. degrees.

Abstract: A polygonal lay down indexable cutting insert for boring, finish turning and backfacing. The insert has a positive land surface and particularly useful at moderate to high cutting speeds and at low range of feed rates and depths of cut.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a rotary bar having an arcuate pocket in its side surface, and a segmental carrier arcuately slidable in the pocket to adjust the position of a cutting tip on a cutter blade. The carrier has a second arcuate pocket that slidably receives a segment-shaped shoe, such that the shoe can be arcuately adjusted to control or vary the back taper angle on the blade. The cutting blade is mounted flatwise on one face of the shoe, such that a corner tip on the blade projects beyond the profile of the rotary bar for use in reaming a hole in a workpiece. The adjustment axis of the shoe is coincident with the cutting tip on the reamer blade so that adjusting motions of the shoe do not disturb the position of the cutting tip achieved by arcuate adjustment of the carrier.

Abstract: A process for producing a ceramic-metal composite body exhibiting binder enrichment and improved fracture toughness at its surface. The process involves forming a shaped body from a homogeneous mixture of: (a) about 2-15 w/o Co or about 2-12 w/o Ni binder, (b) excess carbon, (c) optionally, 0 to less than 5.0 v/o B-1 carbides, and (d) remainder tungsten carbide. The mixture contains sufficient total carbon to result in an ASTM carbon porosity rating of C06 to C08 at the core of the densified body. The weight ratio of excess carbon to binder is about 0.05:1 to 0.037:1. The shaped body is densified in a vacuum or inert atmosphere at or above about 1300.degree. C. and slow cooled, at least to about 25.degree. below the eutectic temperature. Alternatively, the sintered body may be cooled to a holding temperature at or slightly above the eutectic temperature, isothermally held for at least 1/2 hr, and further cooled to ambient.

Abstract: A bit holder for a cutting tool utilizes a non-rotatable sleeve which is slit its entire length axially and is force-fitted into the bore of the bit holder. The sleeve is removable in the field and provides protection for the bit holder. In an alternate embodiment the sleeve is provided with additional retaining means in the form of a circumferential flange which extends beyond the bit holder and contacts the rearmost portion thereof.

Abstract: A deformed sleeve for mounting a cutting tool in a bit holder has one end shaped as an ellipse. The deformation is done by the application of pressure before heat treating. No further machining is necessary after the heat treatment. The deformed sleeve is force-fitted into a bore in a bit holder and is retained therein in a non-rotating manner by friction.

Abstract: A nonmagnetic, NiWC cemented carbide composition and articles made from the same. The addition of chromium renders the composition nonmagnetic independent of the free carbon level in the composition. The composition is useful as wear resistant parts in electronic instruments and as punches to deep draw aluminum beverage cans.