Abstract: A rotary coolant adapter that is compatible with commercially available tool holders attaches to a rotary tool holder to supply coolant to a flow path in a rotary tool. The rotary coolant adapter has a stationary outer housing and a stationary supply tube for supplying coolant to an annular coolant manifold that surrounds a portion of the rotary tool holder. An internal radial feed tube supplies coolant from the annular coolant manifold to the flow path in the tool. Bearings support the stationary outer housing on the rotary coolant holder, and seals are located between the annular coolant manifold and the bearings to prevent coolant leakage from the annular manifold reaching the bearings.

Abstract: Cryogenic fluids are delivered along an axial path through a machine tool spindle to a cutting tool that is mounted in a standard tool holder. An external source of cryogen is delivered via an insulated line to a junction block housing where the cryogen flows into a vacuum insulated coolant delivery tube mounted on the axis of rotation of the spindle. The coolant delivery tube couples with a cryogenic manifold located in a standard tool holder in the end of the spindle. The cryogenic manifold couples the cryogen to a tool that is mounted in the tool holder. Before a tool change operation, the coolant delivery tube is raised to disconnect it from the cryogenic manifold, and to turn off the flow of cryogen to the delivery tube.

Abstract: An indirect cooling system for a rotating cutting tool uses a cryogenic coolant that is delivered to a cavity formed on the back surface of the cutting element, providing cooling near the cutting edge of the element. Because the total flow rate of the working fluid is low (less than 0.08 Liters/min/cutting edge), the fluid can be safely vented to atmosphere from the cavity, and as a result, no specialized coolant recovery or ventilation equipment is needed. The cavity may be formed with fins to enhance the heat transfer between the cutting element and the coolant, and coolant may additionally be sprayed directly onto the exterior surface of the element to cool the tool-chip interface. The indirect cooling system may be used for hard to machine metals and composites, as well as the machining of conventional materials without the use of traditional cutting fluids.

Abstract: A rotary coolant adapter that is compatible with commercially available tool holders attaches to a rotary tool holder to supply coolant to a flow path in a rotary tool. The rotary coolant adapter has a stationary outer housing and a stationary supply tube for supplying coolant to an annular coolant manifold that surrounds a portion of the rotary tool holder. An internal radial feed tube supplies coolant from the annular coolant manifold to the flow path in the tool. Bearings support the stationary outer housing on the rotary coolant holder, and seals are located between the annular coolant manifold and the bearings to prevent coolant leakage from the annular manifold reaching the bearings.

Abstract: A cutting tool having a cutting element such as an insert is cooled indirectly by a micro-channel heat exchanger that is mounted against the rear face of the insert. The heat exchanger is formed with an internal cavity that receives a coolant such as a cryogen. The cavity may include fins to enhance the removal of heat by the cryogen from the insert. Coolant inlet and outlet tubes are coupled to the interior of the heat exchanger to supply cryogen to the cavity. The flow rate of cryogen required to cool the insert during a given machining operation is less than one percent of the amount of standard coolant required to cool the same insert during the same machining operation.

Abstract: An indirect cooling system for a rotating cutting tool uses a cryogenic coolant that is delivered to a cavity formed on the back surface of the cutting element, providing cooling near the cutting edge of the element. Because the total flow rate of the working fluid is low (less than 0.08 Liters/min/cutting edge), the fluid can be safely vented to atmosphere from the cavity, and as a result, no specialized coolant recovery or ventilation equipment is needed. The cavity may be formed with fins to enhance the heat transfer between the cutting element and the coolant, and coolant may additionally be sprayed directly onto the exterior surface of the element to cool the tool-chip interface. The indirect cooling system may be used for hard to machine metals and composites, as well as the machining of conventional materials without the use of traditional cutting fluids.

Abstract: Cryogenic fluids are delivered along an axial path through a machine tool spindle to a cutting tool that is mounted in a standard tool holder. An external source of cryogen is delivered via an insulated line to a junction block housing where the cryogen flows into a vacuum insulated coolant delivery tube mounted on the axis of rotation of the spindle. The coolant delivery tube couples with a cryogenic manifold located in a standard tool holder in the end of the spindle. The cryogenic manifold couples the cryogen to a tool that is mounted in the tool holder. Before a tool change operation, the coolant delivery tube is raised to disconnect it from the cryogenic manifold, and to turn off the flow of cryogen to the delivery tube.

Abstract: A cutting tool having a cutting element such as an insert is cooled indirectly by a micro-channel heat exchanger that is mounted against the rear face of the insert. The heat exchanger is formed with an internal cavity that receives a coolant such as a cryogen. The cavity may include fins to enhance the removal of heat by the cryogen from the insert. Coolant inlet and outlet tubes are coupled to the interior of the heat exchanger to supply cryogen to the cavity. The flow rate of cryogen required to cool the insert during a given machining operation is less than one percent of the amount of standard coolant required to cool the same insert during the same machining operation.