Abstract: A cutting tool includes a cartridge-receiving pocket, and an adjustable cartridge assembly mounted in the cartridge-receiving pocket. The adjustable cartridge assembly includes a cartridge with an insert-receiving pocket and a wedge. The wedge has planar surfaces formed at taper angles of between greater than zero degrees and less than or equal to about five degrees that contact the bottom wall of the cartridge to move a cutting insert mounted in the insert-receiving pocket of the cartridge in a direction of a central axis of the cutting tool. The planar surfaces are at different distances from a central axis of the wedge to place the wedge in a minus, nominal or plus orientation, respectively.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a cartridge-receiving pocket, and an adjustable cartridge assembly mounted in the cartridge-receiving pocket. The adjustable cartridge assembly includes a cartridge with an insert-receiving pocket and a wedge. The wedge has planar surfaces formed at taper angles of between greater than zero degrees and less than or equal to about five degrees that contact the bottom wall of the cartridge to move a cutting insert mounted in the insert-receiving pocket of the cartridge in a direction of a central axis of the cutting tool. The planar surfaces are at different distances from a central axis of the wedge to place the wedge in a minus, nominal or plus orientation, respectively.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a cutter body and a coolant cap removably secured to the cutter body. The coolant cap includes an outer surface, an inner surface and a generally cylindrical outer surface extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The cylindrical outer surface has a second cylindrical outer surface portion with external threads formed thereon such that the coolant cap is capable of being threaded onto the cutter body.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool, such as a slotting cutter, includes a cutter body rotatable in a predetermined direction on a central axis perpendicular to a plane of the cutter body. A plurality of cutting insert-receiving pockets are formed at predetermined locations about the cutter body. A cantilevered member can be integrally formed in the cutter body or attached to the cutter body as a separate component. A tip of the cantilevered member at least partially extends into each insert-receiving pocket such that the cantilevered member exerts a biasing force against a cutting insert at a location so as to counteract a tendency of the cutting insert to rotate within the insert-receiving pocket during a cutting operation.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a cutter body having a head, a shank, and a cavity extending along a central, longitudinal axis of the cutter body. The head includes at least one cutting insert mounted in a pocket adjacent to a chip groove. A stiffening device includes a plurality of slugs with high compressive strength disposed within the cavity, and a first compression screw threaded into a rearward end of the cutting tool. In another embodiment, a second compression screw is threaded into a forward end of the cutter body. In another embodiment, each slug includes a coolant hole, circumferential grooves and axial grooves on its outer diameter, and a plurality of radial grooves on each end, and the first compression screw has a coolant hole for allowing coolant to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool, such as a slotting cutter, includes a cutter body rotatable in a predetermined direction on a central axis perpendicular to a plane of the cutter body. A plurality of cutting insert-receiving pockets are formed at predetermined locations about the cutter body. A cantilevered member can be integrally formed in the cutter body or attached to the cutter body as a separate component. A tip of the cantilevered member at least partially extends into each insert-receiving pocket such that the cantilevered member exerts a biasing force against a cutting insert at a location so as to counteract a tendency of the cutting insert to rotate within the insert-receiving pocket during a cutting operation.

Abstract: A cutting tool, such as a milling cutter, includes a tool body and a plurality of pockets for receiving cutting inserts. Each pocket includes a bottom support surface, an radial support surface, an axial support surface, a first corner relief between the bottom support surface and the radial support surface, and a first stress relief formed in the first corner relief at one end of the pocket. The first stress relief is formed at an angle with respect to a plane parallel to the radial support surface. The first stress relief reduces a tensile stress of the cutting tool during a machining operation. A second and third stress relief may be formed in the first corner relief and/or in a second corner relief.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a cutter body and a coolant cap removably secured to the cutter body. The coolant cap includes an outer surface, an inner surface and a generally cylindrical outer surface extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The cylindrical outer surface has a second cylindrical outer surface portion with external threads formed thereon such that the coolant cap is capable of being threaded onto the cutter body.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a cutter body having a head, a shank, and a cavity extending along a central, longitudinal axis of the cutter body. The head includes at least one cutting insert mounted in a pocket adjacent to a chip groove. A stiffening device includes a plurality of slugs with high compressive strength disposed within the cavity, and a first compression screw threaded into a rearward end of the cutting tool. In another embodiment, a second compression screw is threaded into a forward end of the cutter body. In another embodiment, each slug includes a coolant hole, circumferential grooves and axial grooves on its outer diameter, and a plurality of radial grooves on each end, and the first compression screw has a coolant hole for allowing coolant to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A cutting tool, such as a milling cutter, includes a tool body and a plurality of pockets for receiving cutting inserts. Each pocket includes a bottom support surface, an radial support surface, an axial support surface, a first corner relief between the bottom support surface and the radial support surface, and a first stress relief formed in the first corner relief at one end of the pocket. The first stress relief is formed at an angle with respect to a plane parallel to the radial support surface. The first stress relief reduces a tensile stress of the cutting tool during a machining operation. A second and third stress relief may be formed in the first corner relief and/or in a second corner relief.

Abstract: A slotting cutter includes a disc-like cutter body rotatable in a predetermined direction on a central axis perpendicular to a plane of the cutter body. The cutter body includes a stop slot, an upper cam slot and a lower slot. A plurality of pockets adapted to receive a cutting inset are formed about a perimeter of the body. A cantilevered clamping member includes a bottom surface with a pair of clamping surfaces that engage a pair of angled clamping surfaces on a top surface of the cutting insert during operation. A wrench is provided to lift the cantilevered clamping member for inserting, indexing or removing the cutting insert from the slotting cutter. The wrench includes two fixed pins and a floating pin that prevents the cantilevered clamping member from bending too far and limiting the useful life of the slotting cutter.

Abstract: A slotting cutter includes a disc-like cutter body rotatable in a predetermined direction on a central axis perpendicular to a plane of the cutter body. A plurality of cutting insert receiving pockets and a corresponding number of thread holes are formed about a perimeter of the body. A cutting insert is replaceably mounted in each insert receiving pocket of the cutter body, and a clamping screw is replaceably threaded in each thread hole of the cutter body. A cantilevered portion is disposed between each insert receiving pocket and a respective thread hole that exerts a downward force to securely hold the cutting insert in the cutter body when the clamping screw is threaded into the thread hole.

Abstract: A slotting cutter includes a disc-like cutter body rotatable in a predetermined direction on a central axis perpendicular to a plane of the cutter body. The cutter body includes a stop slot, an upper cam slot and a lower slot. A plurality of pockets adapted to receive a cutting inset are formed about a perimeter of the body. A cantilevered clamping member includes a bottom surface with a pair of clamping surfaces that engage a pair of angled clamping surfaces on a top surface of the cutting insert during operation. A wrench is provided to lift the cantilevered clamping member for inserting, indexing or removing the cutting insert from the slotting cutter. The wrench includes two fixed pins and a floating pin that prevents the cantilevered clamping member from bending too far and limiting the useful life of the slotting cutter.

Abstract: A slotting cutter includes a disc-like cutter body rotatable in a predetermined direction on a central axis perpendicular to a plane of the cutter body. A plurality of cutting insert receiving pockets and a corresponding number of wedge receiving pockets are formed about a perimeter of the body. A cutting insert is replaceably mounted in each insert receiving pocket of the cutter body, and a clamping wedge is replaceably mounted in each wedge receiving pocket of the cutter body. A cantilevered member is disposed between each insert receiving pocket and a respective wedge receiving pocket to securely hold the cutting insert in the cutter body.

Abstract: A slotting cutter includes a disc-like cutter body rotatable in a predetermined direction on a central axis perpendicular to a plane of the cutter body. A plurality of cutting insert receiving pockets and a corresponding number of thread holes are formed about a perimeter of the body. A cutting insert is replaceably mounted in each insert receiving pocket of the cutter body, and a clamping screw is replaceably threaded in each thread hole of the cutter body. A cantilevered portion is disposed between each insert receiving pocket and a respective thread hole that exerts a downward force to securely hold the cutting insert in the cutter body when the clamping screw is threaded into the thread hole.

Abstract: A slotting cutter includes a disc-like cutter body rotatable in a predetermined direction on a central axis perpendicular to a plane of the cutter body. A plurality of cutting insert receiving pockets and a corresponding number of wedge receiving pockets are formed about a perimeter of the body. A cutting insert is replaceably mounted in each insert receiving pocket of the cutter body, and a clamping wedge is replaceably mounted in each wedge receiving pocket of the cutter body. A cantilevered member is disposed between each insert receiving pocket and a respective wedge receiving pocket to securely hold the cutting insert in the cutter body.