Abstract: An end mill type rotary cutting tool and associated cutting inserts that collectively compensate for radial pocket runout, thereby eliminating overlap marks in a machined work piece. The tool has pockets arrayed in helical flutes such that after one insert has abraded the work piece, a subsequent flute makes an overlapping pass. The inserts are so mounted in the cutting tool and have curved corners configured such that no degree of pocket runout due to manufacturing tolerances will cause any portion of the cutting edge of any insert to form an incuse cut in the work piece which penetrates the machined surface by more than the manufacturing tolerance. Thus overlap of inserts eliminate outward projections in the machined work piece and dimensions and configuration of the inserts and their pockets eliminate inward gouges, thereby eliminating visible overlap marks in the work piece.

Abstract: A milling cutter with tangentially mounted cutting inserts includes cutter pockets that are arranged at one end of the cutter body such that the screws for retaining the inserts generally radiate from the cutter's center. The cutter pockets are designed to secure a generally rectangular insert with eight or less cutting edges. The number of inserts and corresponding flutes vary as a function of the diameter of the cutter body. For example, four inserts with corresponding flutes are mounted on a 1.25? diameter cutter body, and three inserts with corresponding flutes are mounted on a 1.00? diameter cutter body. The increased number of flutes provide for increased metal removal rates and higher feed rates, as compared to an inserted ball nose mill or end mill.

Abstract: A high-speed milling cutter (10) includes a shank (12), a front portion (14), and a transition surface (16) between the shank (12) and the front portion (14). The cutter (10) also includes an insert pocket (20) having a bottom surface (22) and side surfaces (24, 26). The bottom surface (22) includes a raised boss (28) for supporting a cutting insert (30). The cutting insert (30) has a top surface (32), a bottom surface (34) and side surfaces (36, 38, 40, 42). The cutting insert (30) includes a primary cutting edge (44, 46) formed at an intersection between the top surface (32) and two of the side surfaces (36, 38, 40, 42). The top surface (32) of the cutting insert (30) includes a concave or dish-shaped topography that is designed for high-speed milling operations of a metallic work piece.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting a workpiece comprising a tool body having an outer surface thereon and a central axis therein and including at least a first and second spiraling flute in the outer surface, each flute including a plurality of inserts secured therein to define an axial rake angle, wherein the axial rake angle of the inserts varies between flutes and within each flute.

Abstract: An anti-rotation mounting mechanism is provided between an indexable insert and an insert-receiving pocket in the body of a machine tool, such as a milling cutter. The mechanism includes a plurality of curved stop surfaces uniformly disposed around the side surface of the insert, a portion of which is obliquely oriented with respect to the side surface of the insert, and at least one anti-rotation surface in the pocket of the tool body having a shape substantially complementary to that of the stop surfaces for forming an interference joint between the pocket and the insert. Both the stop surfaces and the anti-rotation surface are substantially defined by partial radius curves such that either a broad, line-type or lenticular contact between the anti-rotation surface and the obliquely oriented portion of one of the stop surfaces is achieved. The mechanism effectively prevents rotation between the insert and pocket without the formation of point-type, localized stresses which can chip or break the insert.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting insert for enhanced chip control. The insert includes a rake surface extending partially along a side cutting edge of the insert to a transition location and extending inwardly toward the center of the insert. A deflecting surface extends upwardly and inwardly toward the center of the insert from the rake surface and beyond the transition location extends upwardly and inwardly from the side cutting edge.

Abstract: A multiple fluted helical end mill with at least two flutes. Each flute includes a plurality of inserts secured therein. The inserts are all identical. The inserts in different flutes being secured therein at different rake angles. The different rake angles resulting in different effective axial lengths of the inserts. This different effective length of inserts in adjacent flutes results in all effective cutting and it is particularly beneficial where the inserts in a given flute do not have overlapping cutting edges.

Abstract: A cutting insert for use in a rotary milling tool is provided. The cutting insert includes an insert body including a bottom face, a top face, and a side face. A stepped cutting edge is formed at the intersection of the top face and the side face for engaging a workpiece and removing a chip from it. The stepped cutting edge includes at least two offset edge portions which produce distinct, transversely-spaced chip segments during the cutting operation. The offset edge portions are connected by transition edge portions which are disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the offset edge portions. The angle of the transition edge portions tends to spread the individual chip segments apart during the machining operation to effect a thinning of the chip between the individual chip segments. The entire cutting edge is helically curved so that the cutting edge lies on the surface of a circumscribing cylinder defined by the rotation of the cutting edge about the axis of the milling cutter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting insert for a milling cutter. The cutting insert includes a main body having a top face and at least one elevated corner nose area formed on the top face. Extending around the elevated corner nose area and along an adjacent side face of the cutting insert is a cutting edge. The elevated corner nose area includes an angled chamfer that intersects with the cutting edge and a flat surface disposed inwardly of the angled chamfer. A pair of tapered lands extend from the flat surface toward a respective side face of the cutting insert where each of the tapered lands intersect with the cutting edge.