Abstract: A cutting insert for metalworking operations is retained within a cutting insert holder by a resilient tab on the holder that engages a recess on the stem of the insert. The cutting insert and the holder may be fabricated using rapid prototyping techniques such as 3D printing.

Abstract: A segmented orbital drill includes a segmented portion with a semi-finishing cutting portion and a plurality of finishing cutting portions. The semi-finishing cutting portion and finishing cutting portions are separated by grooves formed by a front wall and a rear wall. The segmented portion allows for a fresh cutting edge (i.e., rear wall of the groove) to be revealed as the orbital drill wears in the axial direction. The segmented portion also causes less contact with the workpiece, which reduces power consumption and minimizes deflection of the orbital drill. The segmented orbital drill also includes an optional pilot at one end of the drill, and a clearance neck portion between a shank and the segmented portion. A method of machining a workpiece using the segmented orbital drill is also disclosed.

Abstract: A segmented orbital drill includes a segmented portion with a semi-finishing cutting portion and a plurality of finishing cutting portions. The semi-finishing cutting portion and finishing cutting portions are separated by grooves formed by a front wall and a rear wall. The segmented portion allows for a fresh cutting edge (i.e., rear wall of the groove) to be revealed as the orbital drill wears in the axial direction. The segmented portion also causes less contact with the workpiece, which reduces power consumption and minimizes deflection of the orbital drill. The segmented orbital drill also includes an optional pilot at one end of the drill, and a clearance neck portion between a shank and the segmented portion. A method of machining a workpiece using the segmented orbital drill is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting insert for metalworking operations is retained within a cutting insert holder by a resilient tab on the holder that engages a recess on the stem of the insert. The cutting insert and the holder may be fabricated using rapid prototyping techniques such as 3D printing.

Abstract: A segmented orbital drill includes a segmented portion with a semi-finishing cutting portion and a plurality of finishing cutting portions. The semi-finishing cutting portion and finishing cutting portions are separated by grooves formed by a front wall and a rear wall. The segmented portion allows for a fresh cutting edge (i.e., rear wall of the groove) to be revealed as the orbital drill wears in the axial direction. The segmented portion also causes less contact with the workpiece, which reduces power consumption and minimizes deflection of the orbital drill. The segmented orbital drill also includes an optional pilot at one end of the drill, and a clearance neck portion between a shank and the segmented portion. A method of machining a workpiece using the segmented orbital drill is also disclosed.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for a toolholder includes a toolholder body having an access hole. A locking sleeve is slidably disposed within the access hole and a center collet is disposed within the locking sleeve and is fixedly connected to the toolholder body. The center collet receives a retaining tip of a tool. A spring assembly and a release device cause the locking sleeve to move within the access hole between a load position, where the locking sleeve is disengaged from the center collet such that the center collet is open and a lock position, where the locking sleeve engages the center collet such that the center collet is closed and locks the retaining tip of the tool within the access hole.

Abstract: A combination end milling/drilling/reaming cutting tool includes an end milling portion, a drilling portion, and a reaming portion. The cutting tool also includes a neck portion between the end milling portion and the drilling portion, and a clearance neck portion between a shank and the reaming portion. A method of machining a workpiece using the combination end milling/drilling/reaming cutting tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting insert having a base portion structured to be coupled to a tool body, the base portion having a leading end, a trailing end, and a mounting face extending therebetween. A number of cutting portions extend from the base portion opposite the mounting face. Each cutting portion of the number of cutting portions includes a cutting face disposed adjacent the leading end of the base. The cutting face having an angled portion disposed at a first angle with respect to a reference plane oriented parallel to the leading end and perpendicular to the mounting face. The cutting face also having a curved portion disposed between the angled portion and the base portion.

Abstract: A mechanical-activated inner diameter (ID) grooving tool includes a shank, a body, a stopper, an insert cartridge, a bushing and an end cap. The shank includes a tapered piston having an extension surface and a retraction surface. The insert cartridge includes a tapered piston pocket having a piston-engaging face and a piston-retracting face. Axial movement of the tapered piston in a first direction causes the extension surface of the tapered piston into contact with the piston-engaging face of the insert cartridge, thereby causing the insert cartridge to move in a radially outward direction. Axial movement of the tapered piston in a second, opposite direction causes the retraction surface of the tapered piston into contact with the piston-retracting face of the insert cartridge, thereby causing the insert cartridge to move in a radially inward direction.

Abstract: A pressure-activated ID grooving tool includes a tool body having a channel, a front cross slide slot, a rear cross slide slot projecting, and two legs extending from a piston bore. A piston is disposed within the piston bore. A slide arm has an extension face and a retraction face. A cross slide has a cross slide pocket with a slide engaging face immediately opposing the extension face of the slide arm and a slide retracting face immediately opposing the retraction face of the slide arm. When fluid within the channel and the piston bore is pressurized, the piston moves toward the plunger, which in turn causes the extension face of the slide arm into contact with slide engaging face of the cross slide to cause the cross slide to move in an outward radial direction, thereby pushing the insert into contact with a workpiece.

Abstract: A cutting insert having a base portion structured to be coupled to a tool body, the base portion having a leading end, a trailing end, and a mounting face extending therebetween. A number of cutting portions extend from the base portion opposite the mounting face. Each cutting portion of the number of cutting portions includes a cutting face disposed adjacent the leading end of the base. The cutting face having an angled portion disposed at a first angle with respect to a reference plane oriented parallel to the leading end and perpendicular to the mounting face. The cutting face also having a curved portion disposed between the angled portion and the base portion.

Abstract: A system manages a machine tool operation. The system includes a cutting tool, which includes a tool body; an integrated circuit chip securely mounted within the tool body and capable of being read and written upon; and a read/write device for communicating with the integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit chip is an RFID chip. The tool body may be a mounting chuck, adapter, twist drill, thread tap, indexable drill, milling cutter or a square shank lathe tool.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for a toolholder includes a toolholder body having an access hole. A locking sleeve is slidably disposed within the access hole and a center collet is disposed within the locking sleeve and is fixedly connected to the toolholder body. The center collet receives a retaining tip of a tool. A spring assembly and a release device cause the locking sleeve to move within the access hole between a load position, where the locking sleeve is disengaged from the center collet such that the center collet is open and a lock position, where the locking sleeve engages the center collet such that the center collet is closed and locks the retaining tip of the tool within the access hole.

Abstract: A segmented orbital drill includes a segmented portion with a semi-finishing cutting portion and a plurality of finishing cutting portions. The semi-finishing cutting portion and finishing cutting portions are separated by grooves formed by a front wall and a rear wall. The segmented portion allows for a fresh cutting edge (i.e., rear wall of the groove) to be revealed as the orbital drill wears in the axial direction. The segmented portion also causes less contact with the workpiece, which reduces power consumption and minimizes deflection of the orbital drill. The segmented orbital drill also includes an optional pilot at one end of the drill, and a clearance neck portion between a shank and the segmented portion. A method of machining a workpiece using the segmented orbital drill is also disclosed.

Abstract: Tool and method for machining a workpiece, such as a milling tool, including at least one cutting insert and including a grinding wheel, for machining a workpiece, and the method thereof. The grinding wheel is axially extendable relative to a base body of the tool via fluid actuation from a cooling fluid supply. Additionally, cooling fluid is also provided to a grinding surface of the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A combination end milling/drilling/reaming cutting tool includes an end milling portion, a drilling portion, and a reaming portion. The cutting tool also includes a neck portion between the end milling portion and the drilling portion, and a clearance neck portion between a shank and the reaming portion. A method of machining a workpiece using the combination end milling/drilling/reaming cutting tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: A clamping and releasing mechanism includes a clamping and releasing assembly and a control member configured for effecting operation of the assembly. The assembly includes a collet, a biasing member, a rod member, and a retainer affixed to the rod member such that movement of the rod member relative to the collet causes a variation in the biasing force exerted by the biasing member. When the control member is moved in a first direction, the control member causes the rod member to move in a first direction relative to the collet and move the first part away from the second part. When the control member is moved in an opposite direction, the biasing member causes the rod member to move in an opposite direction and move the first part toward the second part. The mechanism is made of a few simple components, requires little maintenance and is self-contained.

Abstract: A pressure-activated ID grooving tool includes a tool body having a channel, a front cross slide slot, a rear cross slide slot projecting, and two legs extending from a piston bore. A piston is disposed within the piston bore. A slide arm has an extension face and a retraction face. A cross slide has a cross slide pocket with a slide engaging face immediately opposing the extension face of the slide arm and a slide retracting face immediately opposing the retraction face of the slide arm. When fluid within the channel and the piston bore is pressurized, the piston moves toward the plunger, which in turn causes the extension face of the slide arm into contact with slide engaging face of the cross slide to cause the cross slide to move in an outward radial direction, thereby pushing the insert into contact with a workpiece.

Abstract: A mechanical-activated inner diameter (ID) grooving tool includes a shank, a body, a stopper, an insert cartridge, a bushing and an end cap. The shank includes a tapered piston having an extension surface and a retraction surface. The insert cartridge includes a tapered piston pocket having a piston-engaging face and a piston-retracting face. Axial movement of the tapered piston in a first direction causes the extension surface of the tapered piston into contact with the piston-engaging face of the insert cartridge, thereby causing the insert cartridge to move in a radially outward direction. Axial movement of the tapered piston in a second, opposite direction causes the retraction surface of the tapered piston into contact with the piston-retracting face of the insert cartridge, thereby causing the insert cartridge to move in a radially inward direction.

Abstract: A cutting insert has four quadrants defined by vertical and horizontal axes that pass through a centerline axis of the insert. The cutting insert further includes a top surface; a bottom surface; a plurality of clearance side surfaces extending between the top and bottom surfaces. A cutting edge is formed at an intersection between the top surface and the clearance side surfaces. A serration is formed in each clearance side surface such that two of the four quadrants that are diagonally opposite each other do not have serrations, and the other two of the four quadrants that are diagonally opposite each other include a pair of serrations. The cutting insert can be mounted to a milling cutter in a variety of patterns by rotating one cutting insert relative to another cutting insert in the same flute or in a different flute.