Abstract: An improvement to a friction stir welding tool having a rotating member, the improvement including an attachable cutting tool (30) having one or more radial cutting edges (32). A first embodiment of a cutting tool including one or more cutting inserts (42), each cutting insert having a lower end cutting edge; a like number of insert-engaging grooves (44); a collar (46) sized to closely engage around the rotating member with engaged inserts; a collar attachment arrangement for securing the collar (46) to the rotating member (38); and a number of set screws (48) for anchoring the cutting inserts (42) to the member (38).

Abstract: A cutter body (22, 22') has a slot (26, 26') opening onto its nominal outer cylindrical surface (24) and extending along a plane that intersects the cutter axis (X) at an acute axial rake angle (A). A flat cutter blade insert (40) with an elliptical polycrystalline diamond cutting edge (48) is secured in the slot (26, 26'). The insert (40) is positioned to produce a non-negative radial rake at each point along the cutting edge (48). Preferably, the cutter (20, 20') has a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots (26, 26') and inserts (40). The slots (26') may be arranged in a herringbone pattern to resist delamination of a workpiece. Preferably, the cutter relief angle varies along the insert (40) from a minimum at the leading end (50) to a value at the trailing end (52) equal to the minimum plus the angle between the radial lines of the cylinder (24) through the leading and trailing ends (50, 52), respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting dust and particles produced in machining a workpiece. The method and apparatus uses a shroud formed by a pair of frusta-conical walls spaced apart from each other to define an annular air passage therebetween. The shroud is mounted so that the machine tool extends through a central opening formed in the shroud. The annular air passage has an upper air inlet intersecting the air passage with a cylindrical component and a lower air outlet facing inwardly toward the machine tool. Pressurized air flows into the air passage and is thus directed from the air outlet toward the machine tool in a swirling manner. At the same time, a vacuum withdraws air from within the shroud to collect dust and chips produced by the machine tool.