Abstract: A modular drill is disclosed. The modular drill includes a tool shank extending from a shank top end to a shank bottom end along a rotational axis and includes a cam slot extending at least partially through a width of the tool shank. The modular drill also includes a cutting head centered on the rotational axis including a cutting head top surface, a cutting head bottom surface, a draw pin extending from the cutting head bottom surface along the rotational axis, and a draw pin groove around at least a partial length of a circumference of the draw pin comprising a cam follower surface. The modular drill includes a double sided cam received within the cam slot of the tool shank and includes at least one cam surface contacting the cam follower surface.

Abstract: A modular drill is disclosed. The modular drill includes a tool shank extending along a rotational axis. The tool shank includes a shank top end and a shank bottom end along a rotational axis and includes a cam slot extending at least partially through a width of the tool shank. The modular drill includes a cutting head extending from a cutting head top surface to a cutting head bottom surface centered on the rotational axis. The cutting head includes a draw pin extending from the bottom surface of the cutting head along the rotational axis and a draw pin notch. The modular drill includes a clamping cam including a cam shaft contacting the draw pin notch.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a disc-like central body having an outer peripheral surface. A peripheral support member extends circumferentially along the peripheral outer surface of the disc-like central body and provides support against centrifugal and cutting forces exerted on an insert pocket during a cutting operation. A radial support member extends radially along the disc-like central body to the peripheral support member. The radial support member structurally interacts with the peripheral support member to provide additional support for the insert pocket against centrifugal and cutting forces exerted on the insert pocket during a cutting operation. The radial support member and the peripheral support member have a three-dimensional topology that maximizes a stiffness-to-weight ratio of the rotary cutting tool. The rotary cutting tool may include a second radial support member extending radially along the disc-like central body to the peripheral support member.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a tubular body made of a composite material, such as carbon reinforced fiber polymer (CFRP). A front support structure comprising a central hub and a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the central hub is attached proximate the front end of the tubular body. A rear support structure comprising a central hub and a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the central hub is attached proximate the rear end of the tubular body. Cartridge supports are attached directly to one of the front and rear support structures. A rear machine connection member is attached to the rear support structure for providing coolant to the front and rear support structures. The CFRP tubular body increases the stiffness to weight ratio of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A damper system for a cutting tool is provided having at least one damper body that is added to a cutter body of the cutting tool to help dampen a vibration when the cutting tool is placed in use. The damper body is supported by a damper ring. The damper ring is held in place between a central support boss or hub and an adjustable top cap. The adjustable top cap can be tightened or loosened by use of a fastener element to change the amount of pressure on the damper ring. By adjusting the tension placed on the damper ring, the damper system can be tuned to better suppress vibrations when the cutting tool is placed in use.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a disc-like central body having an outer peripheral surface. A peripheral support member extends circumferentially along the peripheral outer surface of the disc-like central body and provides support against centrifugal and cutting forces exerted on an insert pocket during a cutting operation. A radial support member extends radially along the disc-like central body to the peripheral support member. The radial support member structurally interacts with the peripheral support member to provide additional support for the insert pocket against centrifugal and cutting forces exerted on the insert pocket during a cutting operation. The radial support member and the peripheral support member have a three-dimensional topology that maximizes a stiffness-to-weight ratio of the rotary cutting tool. The rotary cutting tool may include a second radial support member extending radially along the disc-like central body to the peripheral support member.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a support structure having a central hub located at an axially rearward end of the rotary cutting tool. A plurality of primary support members extends from the central hub in different axial and radial directions in three-dimensional space with respect to a central, rotational axis of the rotary cutting tool. The support structure may include one or more secondary support members extending from a primary support member in different axial and radial directions in three-dimensional space, and one or more tertiary support members to increase stiffness of the support structure. The central hub extends in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the central, rotational axis of the rotary cutting tool. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of primary support members have a different physical dimension.

Abstract: A damper system for a cutting tool is provided having at least one damper body that is added to a cutter body of the cutting tool to help dampen a vibration when the cutting tool is placed in use. The damper body is supported by a damper ring. The damper ring is held in place between a central support boss or hub and an adjustable top cap. The adjustable top cap can be tightened or loosened by use of a fastener element to change the amount of pressure on the damper ring. By adjusting the tension placed on the damper ring, the damper system can be tuned to better suppress vibrations when the cutting tool is placed in use.

Abstract: A cutting tool, such as a reamer, includes a rear machine connection member, a center tube, a front cutting ring, and a rear cutting ring. The front cutting ring includes a sleeve member and one or more cutting head assemblies. Each cutting head assembly includes at least one support arm extending radially outwardly from a rotational axis, RA, of the cutting tool, and a cutting head supported by the at least one support arm. The at least one support arm of the cutting head assembly defines a fluid dynamic structure for directing fluid flow in a desired direction to facilitate chip evacuation during a cutting operation. The fluid dynamic structure can be an airfoil, a turbine blade, or similar structure that produces a directed fluid flow.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a tubular body made of a composite material, such as carbon reinforced fiber polymer (CFRP). A front support structure comprising a central hub and a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the central hub is attached proximate the front end of the tubular body. A rear support structure comprising a central hub and a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the central hub is attached proximate the rear end of the tubular body. Cartridge supports are attached directly to one of the front and rear support structures. A rear machine connection member is attached to the rear support structure for providing coolant to the front and rear support structures. The CFRP tubular body increases the stiffness to weight ratio of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A cutting tool with interconnected arms that increases the stiffness to weight ratio of the cutting tool is described. The principles of the invention can be applied to any cutting tool, such as a reamer, a milling cutter, a slotting cutter, and the like. In one example, a cutting ring includes a cutting head assembly with a leading arm, a trailing arm, and a cutting head supported by the leading arm and the trailing arm. The trailing arm interconnects with the leading arm of an adjacent cutting head assembly, and the leading arm interconnects with a trailing arm of another adjacent cutting head assembly. As a result of this interconnection of arms, the axial, radial and tangential stiffness to weight ratio of the cutting tool is increased. A support member may be included to further increase the stiffness to weight ratio.

Abstract: A clamping assembly includes a base member having an internal bore, a lock rod within the internal bore of the base member and moveable in a forward direction and rearward direction between an unlocked position and a locked position, a crank wheel having an axis of rotation, and a linkage coupled to the lock rod and coupled to the crank wheel at a position radially offset from the axis of rotation of the crank wheel.

Abstract: A toolholder assembly includes a toolholder having a rearwardly facing toolholder shank, a base member having a bore configured for receiving the toolholder shank, a lock rod with an axial forward and an axial rearward end, at least one locking member in communication with the axial forward end of the lock rod, and a flexible canister configured for receipt in the bore of the base member. The flexible canister includes at least one flexible feature that reduces a stiffness (i.e., increases flexibility) of the flexible canister. In one aspect, the flexible feature is a slot proximate a locking passageway of the canister.

Abstract: A cutting tool, such as a reamer, includes a rear machine connection member, a center tube, a front cutting ring, and a rear cutting ring. The front cutting ring includes a sleeve member and one or more cutting head assemblies. Each cutting head assembly includes at least one support arm extending radially outwardly from a rotational axis, RA, of the cutting tool, and a cutting head supported by the at least one support arm. The at least one support arm of the cutting head assembly defines a fluid dynamic structure for directing fluid flow in a desired direction to facilitate chip evacuation during a cutting operation. The fluid dynamic structure can be an airfoil, a turbine blade, or similar structure that produces a directed fluid flow.

Abstract: A cutting tool with interconnected arms that increases the stiffness to weight ratio of the cutting tool is described. The principles of the invention can be applied to any cutting tool, such as a reamer, a milling cutter, a slotting cutter, and the like. In one example, a cutting ring includes a cutting head assembly with a leading arm, a trailing arm, and a cutting head supported by the leading arm and the trailing arm. The trailing arm interconnects with the leading arm of an adjacent cutting head assembly, and the leading arm interconnects with a trailing arm of another adjacent cutting head assembly. As a result of this interconnection of arms, the axial, radial and tangential stiffness to weight ratio of the cutting tool is increased. A support member may be included to further increase the stiffness to weight ratio.

Abstract: A hardware fastener with a movable threaded element suspended within a cavity formed in a body. The movable threaded element has an internal surface with threads for cooperating with a threaded fastener. The movable threaded element is suspended in the cavity by the one or more spring-like members such that an area, A, of reduced stiffness is created in the cavity proximate the movable threaded element, thereby allowing the movable threaded element to move a predetermined distance within the cavity when torque is applied to the threaded fastener. The one or more spring-like members store elastic potential energy to prevent the loss of pretension of the threaded fastener that can be caused by heat or vibration. The invention also eliminates the need for a torque wrench when tightening the threaded fastener to a specified torque value.

Abstract: A hardware fastener with a movable threaded element suspended within a cavity formed in a body. The movable threaded element has an internal surface with threads for cooperating with a threaded fastener. The movable threaded element is suspended in the cavity by the one or more spring-like members such that an area, A, of reduced stiffness is created in the cavity proximate the movable threaded element, thereby allowing the movable threaded element to move a predetermined distance within the cavity when torque is applied to the threaded fastener. The one or more spring-like members store elastic potential energy to prevent the loss of pretension of the threaded fastener that can be caused by heat or vibration. The invention also eliminates the need for a torque wrench when tightening the threaded fastener to a specified torque value.

Abstract: A collet includes an axially rearward end and an axially forward end; a nose portion; a body portion having an outer surface and an inner surface for engaging a shank of a tool; a plurality of slots extending from the inner surface to the outer surface; and a plurality of coolant channels disposed within the collet between the plurality of longitudinally extending slots and extending entirely from the axially rearward end to the axially forward end of the collet. Slots include a first slot extending from the axial forward end to within an intermediary zone, a second slot extending from the axial rearward end to at least the tool holder engagement zone such that the second slot does not intersect the first slot, and a third slot from within the tool engagement zone to within the intermediary zone such that the third slot circumferentially overlaps the first and second slots.

Abstract: A clamping assembly includes a base member having an internal bore, a lock rod within the internal bore of the base member and moveable in a forward direction and rearward direction between an unlocked position and a locked position, a crank wheel having an axis of rotation, and a linkage coupled to the lock rod and coupled to the crank wheel at a position radially offset from the axis of rotation of the crank wheel.

Abstract: A lightweight cutting tool, such as a reamer, includes a front cutting body, a front cutting ring, a center tube, a rear cutting ring and a rear machine connection member. An arm assembly of the front and rear cutting heads includes one or more leading arms, one or more trailing arms and a cutting head supported by the leading and trailing arms. The leading arms and the trailing arms curve in opposite directions. To reduce weight and moment of inertia of the reamer, a cross-sectional area of the leading arms and the trailing arms is largest proximate the sleeve member and is smallest proximate the cutting head. In addition, the front cutting body, the front and rear cutting rings and the center tube may be made by additive manufacturing. Fluid can be transported entirely through the reamer to the cutting insert/workpiece interface and the guide pad/workpiece interface.