Abstract: A cutter insert is provided which is adapted to be supported on a flat platform on a cutter body and abutting edgewise against walls upstanding from said platform. The insert comprises a flat block of cutting material in the geometric shape of a parallelogram having a hole extending therethrough between the upper surface and the mounting surface of the block to receive a screw for securing the block to the platform. The upper surface of the block terminates at opposite ends in radii. The cutter insert further includes a rake face and a clearance face on opposite sides of the hole with said upper surface and said faces constituting cutting edges defined by the intersections of said faces and said upper surface, and an angular facet at diagonally opposed ends of said radii so as to form a chip splitter at the juncture of the cutting edge of the rake face and the cutting edge of the angular facet.

Abstract: Metal working tools or tool holders having a body with flat-faced surface containing insert pockets with at least two indexable inserts in each pocket are described. A tapered wedge block is positioned between each pair of inserts to wedge the inserts against the walls of the insert pocket and to separate the pair of inserts from each other. The pair of inserts have parallel cutting edges facing the leading wall. In one preferred embodiment, a pair of indexable cutter inserts are positioned in each pocket of a plural pocket face mill body. The inserts are positioned in leading and trailing positions with an intermediate wedge block to provide parallel cutting surfaces in the same direction.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to an improved assembly for mounting a finishing insert in a milling cutter. More particularly, the subject invention facilitates the adjustment of the tilt of a finishing insert relative to a milling cutter to improve the finish of a workpiece. In accordance with the subject invention, a milling cutter is provided with a finishing insert pocket having a planar bottom wall disposed at an inclined angle relative to the planar surface of the cutter. A locating seat, having a finishing insert fixedly mounted therein, is adjustably mounted within the insert pocket. By adjusting the position of the locating seat relative to the insert pocket, the angle of the cutting edge of the finishing insert, relative to the milling cutter is varied. In a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, both the insert pocket and the locating seat include complimentary arcuate walls to provide additional support during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A milling cutter includes an array of pockets each having radially extending side walls and a base wall from which radially projects an elongated locating rail. A safety wedge has one surface in engagement with one wall of the pocket and its opposed surface in engagement with one surface of a cutting insert. The latter includes a central hole through which extends a projection extending from the safety wedge. One edge of the cutting insert engages the locating rail, while the opposite surface of the cutting insert is engaged by a wedge surface of a wedge assembly which is connected to the body of the cutting tool, and is selectively operable for shifting of the wedge assembly into wedging engagement with the cutting insert. By this arrangement, the cutting insert is clamped intermediate the safety wedge and the wedge assembly, and the edge of the cutting insert bears against the locating rail.

Abstract: A floating wedge is described for facilitating the mounting of an indexable insert in a pocket of an indexable cutting tool. The floating wedge includes a main body member having opposed leading and trailing surfaces and a swivel plate member having opposed leading and trailing surfaces. The leading surface of the main body member and the trailing surface of the swivel plate member are disposed in abutting relationship and are provided with complementary configurations, thereby enabling the relative slidable movement between the members such that orientation of the leading surface of the swivel plate member relative to the trailing surface of the main body member may be adjusted. The adjustability between the members enables full and equal contact pressure to be established between the floating wedge, the indexable insert and the walls of the insert pocket, thereby eliminating localized stresses and preventing insert failure.

Abstract: A boring cutter which is adapted to be rotated about its central axis includes at least one insert pocket having opposed parallel leading and trailing walls, as well as a bottom wall. An insert seat of generally L-shaped configuration is provided, with the leading surface of the insert seat being in abutting relationship with the leading wall of the pocket. The opposed trailing surface of the insert seat includes both a leading and rear locating support surface adapted to receive an indexable cutting insert. A wedge is receivable between the rear surface of the cutting insert and the trailing wall of the pocket. The radial position of both the insert seat and the wedge, relative to the central axis of the boring cutter is adjustable. By this arrangement, the radial position of the cutting insert may be varied to thereby adjust the effective outer diameter of the boring cutter.

Abstract: For use with an indexable metal cutting tool, an improved holder assembly is disclosed which functions to maintain the position of an indexable insert during operation of the tool. More particularly, a holder assembly is described which includes a support member, connected to the cutter body of the tool, which includes a platform and a threaded aperture disposed normal to the plane of the platform. The latter includes a plurality of keys extending from the plane of the platform. A planar indexable insert having an aperture disposed normal to the planar surfaces thereof is disposed in abutting relationship with the platform of the support member, such that the apertures therein are in register. In addition, the planar surface of the indexable insert which is in abutting relationship with the platform includes receiving grooves which are adapted to be interengaged with the keys of the support member.

Abstract: A milling cutter which is adapted to be rotated about a central axis includes at least one insert pocket having opposed leading and trailing walls, as well as a rear wall. An indexable insert having front and rear planar surfaces is receivable in the insert pocket, along with at least one locking wedge, which is interposed between the insert and the pocket walls for securing the insert within the pocket. In accordance with the subject invention, an adjustable locating wedge is provided for regulating the axial location on the insert. The locating wedge, a portion of which is disposed in abutting relationship with the axially lowermost cutting edge of the insert, is received within a groove located in the rear wall of the insert pocket. The receiving groove is aligned with the insert and extends radially inwardly from the periphery of the cutter body.

Abstract: An indexable finishing insert is disclosed formed from a flat wafer of cutting material having front and rear planar rake surfaces and a plurality of edge faces disposed therebetween. The rake faces are generally of equilateral, polygonal configuration with the side edges thereof corresponding to the cutting edges of the insert. The cutting edges are arcuate and have a radius of curvature several times greater than the width of the planar surfaces. The intermediate portion of each edge face is substantially planar and defines a locating land for facilitating the mounting of the insert within the pocket of a milling cutter. At least a portion of the opposed ends of each edge face is curved and sloped away from the front rake surface in order to provide clearance along the edge faces when the insert is mounted on a cutting tool at an angle between the rake surfaces and the workpiece.

Abstract: A cutting insert is disposed in a pocket formed in a cutter body and having a side wall and an angularly related bottom wall. A first wedge engages one face of the insert and includes a pin which extends into a hole in the insert. A second wedge engages the first wedge and, when the second wedge is shifted inwardly, the first wedge clamps a face of the insert against the side wall of the pocket while the pin clamps the inner edge portion of the insert against the bottom wall of the pocket.