Abstract: In one aspect, rotary cutting tools are described herein comprising sets of coolant channels having exit aperture in the flutes of the tools for efficient coolant delivery to multiple cutting surfaces. Briefly, a rotary cutting tool comprises a shank portion, and a cutting portion extending from the shank portion along a longitudinal axis, the cutting portion comprising flutes helically extending along the longitudinal axis and internal coolant channels comprising exit apertures in the flutes. A projection of an exit aperture of a first set of internal coolant channels intersects a rake face extending below a corner edge of the rotary cutting tool, and a projection of an exit aperture of a second set of internal coolant channels intersects a rake face below a radial cutting edge of the rotary cutting tool.

Abstract: In one aspect, rotary cutting tools are described herein comprising sets of coolant channels having exit aperture in the flutes of the tools for efficient coolant delivery to multiple cutting surfaces. Briefly, a rotary cutting tool comprises a shank portion, and a cutting portion extending from the shank portion along a longitudinal axis, the cutting portion comprising flutes helically extending along the longitudinal axis and internal coolant channels comprising exit apertures in the flutes. A projection of an exit aperture of a first set of internal coolant channels intersects a rake face extending below a corner edge of the rotary cutting tool, and a projection of an exit aperture of a second set of internal coolant channels intersects a rake face below a radial cutting edge of the rotary cutting tool.

Abstract: A double-sided tangential cutting insert, as well as a tool holder system that carries a plurality of the double-sided tangential cutting inserts, that has a peripheral side shape, as viewed from one of said cutting rake faces, that includes a pair of generally identical opposing main cutting edges wherein each of the main cutting edge comprises a substantially straight main cutting edge portion and an adjoining convex main cutting edge portion. The convex main cutting edge portion is truncated by an adjacent convex minor side face so as to define a generally sharp edge and a point of truncation. The peripheral side shape further includes a pair of opposing full nose cutting edges with a nose cutting radius; and a pair of opposing convex minor cutting edges with a minor cutting edge radius. The minor cutting edge radius is at least about four times greater than the nose cutting radius.

Abstract: A double-sided tangential cutting insert, as well as a tool holder system that carries a plurality of the double-sided tangential cutting inserts, that has a peripheral side shape, as viewed from one of said cutting rake faces, that includes a pair of generally identical opposing main cutting edges wherein each of the main cutting edge comprises a substantially straight main cutting edge portion and an adjoining convex main cutting edge portion. The convex main cutting edge portion is truncated by an adjacent convex minor side face so as to define a generally sharp edge and a point of truncation. The peripheral side shape further includes a pair of opposing full nose cutting edges with a nose cutting radius; and a pair of opposing convex minor cutting edges with a minor cutting edge radius. The minor cutting edge radius is at least about four times greater than the nose cutting radius.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic cutting tools, such as, a aluminum oxide with zirconium oxide ceramic cutting tool with diffusion bonding enhanced layer and CVD coatings, particularly useful for machining modem metal materials. The method comprises a chemical reaction with a mixture including nitrogen and aluminum chloride introduced to form a diffusion bonding enhanced layer between the ceramic substrate and the CVD coatings. Thus formed diffusion bonding is highly adherent to the aluminum oxide with zirconium oxide ceramic substrate and significantly enhances the CVD coating properties, and thus improving the machining performance in terms of the tool life of zirconium-based aluminum oxide with zirconium oxide ceramic cutting tools.

Abstract: A cutting insert for milling operations, such as, face milling, slot milling, plunge milling, and ramping operations. The cutting insert exhibits a combination of favorable cutting edge strength, and unique cutting edge geometry, thus, allowing milling operations at relatively high feed rates. The cutting insert includes at least four cutting edges, wherein at least one of the cutting edges is a convex cutting edge. Certain embodiments of square cutting inserts will have four convex cutting edges which may be connected by nose corners. The convex cutting edge may comprise at least one of a circular arc, a portion of an ellipse, a portion of a parabola, a multi-segment spline curve, a straight line, or combinations of these. Wherein the convex cutting edge comprises a circular arc, the circular arc may have a radius greater than or equal to two times a radius of the largest circle that may be inscribed on the top surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article by injecting at least two composite materials comprising metal carbides into a mold to form a green compact is disclosed. The composite materials may be metal powders comprising a binder metal, a hard particle. The composite material may further comprise a plastic binder. The two different composite materials are injected into the mold to form the green compact. Additionally, the composite materials may be injected through a die before entering the mold. In a specific embodiment, the die forms at least one internal channel within the green compact.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods of producing a composite article. A method comprises introducing a first powdered metal grade from a feed shoe into a first portion of a cavity in a die and a second powdered metal grade from the feed shoe into a second portion of the cavity, wherein the first powder metal grade differs from the second powdered metal grade in chemical composition or particle size. Further methods are also provided. Embodiments of the present invention also comprise composite inserts for material removal operations. The composite inserts may comprise a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises a first composite material and the second region comprises a second composite material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embodiments of a cutting tool holder (10) having at least one insert pocket (13), wherein at least one insert pocket comprises a side surface (15) and at least one antirotation stop (16) protruding from the side surface. The antirotation stop may comprise at least two substantially planar surfaces. In certain embodiments, the cutting tool holder may have a pocket which comprises a bottom surface and an antirotation stop having three substantially planar surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface. The antirotation stop may be integral to the tool holder or may be produced separately and attached, either permanently or temporarily, to the tool holder. Embodiments may further comprise additional antirotation stops is desired by the machining application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embodiments of a cutting tool holder having at least one insert pocket, wherein at least one insert pocket comprises a side surface and at least one antirotation stop protruding from the side surface. The antirotation stop may comprise at least two substantially planar surfaces. In certain embodiments, the cutting tool holder may have a pocket which comprises a bottom surface and an antirotation stop having three substantially planar surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface. The antirotation stop may be integral to the tool holder or may be produced separately and attached, either permanently or temporarily, to the tool holder. Embodiments may further comprise additional antirotation stops if desired by the machining application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the PVD coated tungsten carbide (WC) based cemented cutting inserts with ruthenium (Ru) as a key chemical element, or a key feature, in the cobalt (Co)-based binder phase, particularly useful for machining today's mold & die materials. In the Ru—Co mixed binder phase in the tungsten carbide substrate, the ratio of Ru/Co is at least 3%, by weight. The Ru-featured carbide cutting insert provided in this invention is PVD coated with one or more layers by a modern PVD coating technology. The development of the PVD coated Ru-featured carbide cutting inserts provided in this invention is based on a discovery that the unique combination of PVD coating techniques and Ru-featured carbide cutting inserts demonstrates superior machining performance in today's mold & die machining applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic cutting tools, such as, a aluminum oxide with zirconium oxide ceramic cutting tool with diffusion bonding enhanced layer and CVD coatings, particularly useful for machining modem metal materials. The method comprises a chemical reaction with a mixture including nitrogen and aluminum chloride introduced to form a diffusion bonding enhanced layer between the ceramic substrate and the CVD coatings. Thus formed diffusion bonding is highly adherent to the aluminum oxide with zirconium oxide ceramic substrate and significantly enhances the CVD coating properties, and thus improving the machining performance in terms of the tool life of zirconium-based aluminum oxide with zirconium oxide ceramic cutting tools.

Abstract: A cutting insert for milling operations, such as, face milling, slot milling, plunge milling, and ramping operations. The cutting insert exhibits a combination of favorable cutting edge strength, and unique cutting edge geometry, thus, allowing milling operations at relatively high feed rates. The cutting insert includes at least four cutting edges, wherein at least one of the cutting edges is a convex cutting edge. Certain embodiments of square cutting inserts will have four convex cutting edges which may be connected by nose corners. The convex cutting edge may comprise at least one of a circular arc, a portion of an ellipse, a portion of a parabola, a multi-segment spline curve, a straight line, or combinations of these. Wherein the convex cutting edge comprises a circular arc, the circular arc may have a radius greater than or equal to two times a radius of the largest circle that may be inscribed on the top surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an electro-surgical instrument with a rich graphical user interface (GUI) capability and a verifiable hardware and software platform meeting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. The rich GUI makes for a device which is more easily operated than prior art devices which lacked a sophisticated user interface. The increased functionality is achieved without sacrificing the ability to validate the device for FDA purposes. This goal is achieved by a dual processor design. In the dual processor design a control or master processor with verifiable source code implements the functions of: power delivery, temperature measurement, power measurement and power control. A display or slave processor, is functionally isolated from the first processor receiving only messages from the first processor. In a first embodiment of the invention an electro-surgical instrument is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading live poultry into open-topped containers (19) comprise a plurality (preferably three) loading units (28) arranged side by side so that each loading unit (28) is aligned with a column of containers (19) accommodated in a standard module (18). Each loading unit has a batching receptacle (33) to receive a batch of poultry (of predetermined weight or number) corresponding to the capacity of one of the open-topped containers (19) which are in turn withdrawn from the module (18), loaded with a batch of poultry and then returned to the module, each loading unit (28) shifting vertically as successive containers are loaded with poultry. A separate catching vehicle (54) may be used to catch the poultry and deliver it to the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading live poultry into open-topped containers (19) comprise a plurality (preferably three) loading units (28) arranged side by side so that each loading unit (28) is aligned with a column of containers (19) accommodated in a standard module (18). Each loading unit has a batching receptacle (33) to receive a batch of poultry (of predetermined weight or number) corresponding to the capacity of one of the open-topped containers (19) which are in turn withdrawn from the module (18), loaded with a batch of poultry and then returned to the module, each loading unit (28) shifting vertically as successive containers are loaded with poultry. A separate catching vehicle (54) may be used to catch the poultry and deliver it to the apparatus.