Abstract: A method for non-destructive testing a cutting insert to determine coating thickness is disclosed. The method includes the steps of using a source of electromagnetic energy to ablate a surface of the cutting insert to non-destructively form a geometric feature and expose the substrate and each layer of the coating; and measuring the thickness of each layer of the coating. In one example, the geometric feature is a groove with a generally trapezoidal shape. In other examples, the groove can have a U-shape, V-shape, and the like. The thickness of each layer of the coating is determined using focus variation, contrast detection, confocal microscopy, an interferometric microscopy, an imaging interferometric microscopy, or similar technique.

Abstract: A tool head for use with a modular shank tool includes at least two preforms. Each preform of the at least two preforms is made separately from the other preform of the at least two preforms from granular materials and then put together and jointly compressed and integrally bonded.

Abstract: A modular cutter head having a holder defining a threaded receiver. The cutter head can be screwed into the threaded receiver. The cutter can comprise an elongated body portion having a cutting end and cutting edge and an elongated coupling portion spaced from the cutting end, with the coupling portion comprising a core and a plurality of generally helically-extending start threads disposed circumferentially about the core. The cutter head may also include a cutting end having a chip flute and an insert seat.

Abstract: A tool head for use with a modular shank tool includes at least two preforms. Each preform of the at least two performs is made separately from the other preform of the at least two preforms from granular materials and then put together and jointly compressed and integrally bonded.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool including a cutter member having an axial forward end and an axial rearward end. A cutting region is at the axial forward end of the cutter member, and a male threaded portion is adjacent the axial rearward end of the cutter member. A shank member has an axial forward end and a shank bore opening at the axial forward end. The shank bore has an axial shank bore length. The shank bore contains a female threaded portion and an axial rearward shank bore portion axially rearward of the female threaded portion. The axial rearward shank bore portion has a terminal end. When the male threaded portion of the cutter member fully engages the female threaded portion of the shank member, the axial rearward end of the cutter member being spaced a first distance axially forward of the terminal end of the axial rearward shank bore portion.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a cutter of generally cylindrical shape disposed about a central longitudinal axis. The cutter has a first end having an active fluted portion and an opposite second end, the second end having a male threaded portion disposed thereabout. The cutting tool further includes a shank of generally cylindrical shape disposed about the central longitudinal axis, the shank having a recessed female threaded portion formed in a first end. The male threaded portion includes a number of threads disposed at a first pitch and the female threaded portion includes a number of threads disposed at a second pitch different than the first pitch. The cutter and the shank are selectively coupled via threaded engagement of the male threaded portion and the female threaded portion.

Abstract: A cutting tool for performing cutting operations on a workpiece when the cutting tool is rotated about a central axis by a machine tool, the cutting tool includes a generally cylindrical body disposed about the central axis. The generally cylindrical body includes a first end and an opposite second end. The cutting tool further includes a cutting portion and a mounting portion. The cutting portion is disposed at or about the first end of the generally cylindrical body and includes a number of cutting edges structured to engage the workpiece during cutting operations. The mounting portion is disposed at or about the opposite second end of the generally cylindrical body and is structured to be coupled to the machine tool. At least a portion of the generally cylindrical body comprises a molded portion formed via a molding process about the cutting portion in a manner that couples the cutting portion to the generally cylindrical body.

Abstract: A cutting tool for performing cutting operations on a workpiece. The cutting tool includes a generally cylindrical body disposed about a central axis. The generally cylindrical body includes a first end and an opposite second end. The cutting tool further includes a cutting portion and a mounting portion. The cutting portion is disposed at or about the first end of the generally cylindrical body and includes a number of cutting edges structured to engage the workpiece during cutting operations. The mounting portion is disposed at or about the opposite second end of the generally cylindrical body and is structured to be coupled to the machine tool. At least a portion of the generally cylindrical body comprises a molded portion formed via a molding process about the cutting portion in a manner that couples the cutting portion to the generally cylindrical body.

Abstract: In one aspect, cutting tools are provided comprising radiation ablation regions defining at least one of refractory surface microstructures and/or nanostructures. For example, a cutting tool described herein comprises at least one cutting edge formed by intersection of a flank face and a rake face, the flank face formed of a refractory material comprising radiation ablation regions defining at least one of surface microstructures and surface nanostructures, wherein surface pore structure of the refractory material is not occluded by the surface microstructures and surface nanostructures.

Abstract: A method for forming the cutting edge and adjacent contoured surface area of rotary cutting tools utilizing a laser to remove material from the cutting end of the tool to create a predetermined point-by-point geometry is disclosed. Relatively complex surface and edge geometries may be formed by directing a laser beam toward the cutting end of the tool at an angle having a component that is normal to the surface of the cutting end. The laser beam is directed in multiple passes across the surface of the cutting end to remove material and form the desired cutting edge and adjacent three-dimensional contoured surface geometry.

Abstract: A cutting insert for use on a tool body includes a first member formed in a predetermined shape and a second member formed separate from the first member in a second predetermined shape and coupled to the first member. At least one of the first member or the second member comprise a number of cutting portions adapted to perform cutting operations on a workpiece.

Abstract: Rotary tool, such as a drill or milling cutter, having a main tool body, which extends along a center longitudinal axis, which has a flute and which, at a distance from the center longitudinal axis, has an insert seat which is introduced into the flute wall and in which a cutting insert, in particular made of a superhard material such as PCD or PCBN, is fastened integrally, wherein, for fixing both a radial and also an axial position of the cutting insert, the insert seat has an abutment wall which has a contour for positioning the cutting insert in a rotationally locked manner.

Abstract: A modular cutter head having a holder defining a threaded receiver. The cutter head can be screwed into the threaded receiver. The cutter can comprise an elongated body portion having a cutting end and cutting edge and an elongated coupling portion spaced from the cutting end, with the coupling portion comprising a core and a plurality of generally helically-extending start threads disposed circumferentially about the core. The cutter head may also include a cutting end having a chip flute and an insert seat.

Abstract: A machining tool, in particular a drill carrier tool, includes a monolithic base body extending in the axial direction which, at least in one section, has a porous or grid-like core structure that is encased in a solid outer jacket. These measures allow less material to be used, while maintaining good mechanical properties. The porous or grid-like core structure is simultaneously used for transporting coolant. The base body is manufactured in particular by means of a 3D printing method.

Abstract: A machining tool, in the area of a tool tip, includes an integrated cooling structure for transporting a coolant. The cooling structure is optionally or in combination designed as a porous structure or at least one cooling channel having a bent reversing segment, so that two channel segments are oriented in opposite directions. The cooling structure is integrated into a base body of a carrier tool. According to a method of the invention, the cooling structure is manufactured by means of a 3D printing method.

Abstract: An indexable cutting insert includes a rake face, a flank surface, a bottom surface, and a central aperture defined by an aperture side wall. The indexable cutting insert further has a mouth defined by a mouth surface. There is a primary coolant trough that has an aperture section in the side wall contained in the aperture side wall, a mouth section contained in the mouth surface, and a rake face section contained in the rake face. There is a radial angular coolant trough, which has an entrance end opening into a selected one of the primary coolant trough and the mouth. The radial angular coolant trough has an orientation wherein the central longitudinal axis thereof is generally perpendicular to a corresponding discrete cutting edge whereby during operation a coolant stream is directed toward the corresponding discrete cutting edge.

Abstract: An indexable drill assembly includes a drill body, which has a head portion at the axial forward end thereof and wherein the head portion has an outboard pocket and an inboard pocket. The drill body contains an outboard pocket coolant channel adjacent the outboard pocket and an inboard pocket coolant channel adjacent the inboard pocket. The outboard pocket has a seating surface and the outboard pocket coolant channel opening at the seating surface. The drill body further contains an outboard retention screw aperture opening in the seating surface wherein the seating surface contains an outboard coolant ring surrounding the retention screw aperture wherein the outboard coolant is being in fluid communication with the outboard pocket coolant channel. The inboard pocket has a seating surface and the inboard pocket coolant channel opens at the seating surface.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool including a cutter member having an axial forward end and an axial rearward end. A cutting region is at the axial forward end of the cutter member, and a male threaded portion is adjacent the axial rearward end of the cutter member. A shank member has an axial forward end and a shank bore opening at the axial forward end. The shank bore has an axial shank bore length. The shank bore contains a female threaded portion and an axial rearward shank bore portion axially rearward of the female threaded portion. The axial rearward shank bore portion has a terminal end. When the male threaded portion of the cutter member fully engages the female threaded portion of the shank member, the axial rearward end of the cutter member being spaced a first distance axially forward of the terminal end of the axial rearward shank bore portion.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a cutter of generally cylindrical shape disposed about a central longitudinal axis. The cutter has a first end having an active fluted portion and an opposite second end, the second end having a male threaded portion disposed thereabout. The cutting tool further includes a shank of generally cylindrical shape disposed about the central longitudinal axis, the shank having a recessed female threaded portion formed in a first end. The male threaded portion includes a number of threads disposed at a first pitch and the female threaded portion includes a number of threads disposed at a second pitch different than the first pitch. The cutter and the shank are selectively coupled via threaded engagement of the male threaded portion and the female threaded portion.

Abstract: A cutting insert includes a polygonal body having an upper chip surface, a bottom surface and peripheral side surfaces extending between the upper chip surface and the bottom surface, the peripheral side surfaces intersecting the upper chip surface to form cutting edges therewith. A plurality of chip dividers are spaced apart about a perimeter of the upper chip surface to divide the chips produced by the cutting edges, each chip divider including a leading chip dividing portion adjacent to the cutting edge and extending generally upwardly from the cutting edge, the leading chip dividing portion having an elongated, rounded face. Adjacent chip dividers define a pocket such that the pockets are configured for promoting curling of chips produced by the cutting edges.