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 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 rotary cutting tool includes a tool body including a chip flute portion having a plurality of helical chip flutes separated by lobes. In one aspect, a tunable vibration absorber assembly is disposed within a cavity formed in the chip flute portion. In another aspect, the tunable vibration absorber assembly is disposed within a cavity of a replaceable cutting head. In each aspect, the tunable vibration absorber assembly includes at least two tunable absorber masses, a resilient material between the one or more absorber masses and the cavity, and one or more connecting members for preventing relative angular displacement of the one or more tunable absorber masses. The at least two tunable absorber masses are suspended only by the resilient material, thereby enabling the tunable vibration absorber assembly to be tuned to a desired frequency for suppressing torsional vibration of the rotary cutting tool during a cutting operation.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a tool body including a chip flute portion having a plurality of helical chip flutes separated by lobes. In one aspect, a tunable vibration absorber assembly is disposed within a cavity formed in the chip flute portion. In another aspect, the tunable vibration absorber assembly is disposed within a cavity of a replaceable cutting head. In each aspect, the tunable vibration absorber assembly includes at least two one or more tunable absorber masses, a resilient material between the one or more absorber masses and the cavity, and one or more connecting members for preventing relative angular displacement of the one or more tunable absorber masses. The at least two one or more tunable absorber masses are suspended only by the resilient material, thereby enabling the tunable vibration absorber assembly to be tuned to a desired frequency for suppressing torsional vibration of the rotary cutting tool during a cutting operation.

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 rotary cutting tool includes a tool body including a chip flute portion having a plurality of helical chip flutes separated by lobes. In one aspect, a tunable vibration absorber assembly is disposed within a cavity formed in the chip flute portion. In another aspect, the tunable vibration absorber assembly is disposed within a cavity of a replaceable cutting head. In each aspect, the tunable vibration absorber assembly includes at least two tunable absorber masses, a resilient material between the one or more absorber masses and the cavity, and one or more connecting members for preventing relative angular displacement of the one or more tunable absorber masses. The at least two tunable absorber masses are suspended only by the resilient material, thereby enabling the tunable vibration absorber assembly to be tuned to a desired frequency for suppressing torsional vibration of the rotary cutting tool during a cutting operation.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a tool body including a chip flute portion having a plurality of helical chip flutes separated by lobes. In one aspect, a tunable vibration absorber assembly is disposed within a cavity formed in the chip flute portion. In another aspect, the tunable vibration absorber assembly is disposed within a cavity of a replaceable cutting head. In each aspect, the tunable vibration absorber assembly includes one or more tunable absorber masses, a resilient material between the one or more absorber masses and the cavity, and one or more connecting members for preventing relative angular displacement of the one or more tunable absorber masses. The one or more tunable absorber masses are suspended only by the resilient material, thereby enabling the tunable vibration absorber assembly to be tuned to a desired frequency for suppressing torsional vibration of the rotary cutting tool during a cutting operation.

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.

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.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a tool body including a chip flute portion having a plurality of helical chip flutes separated by lobes. In one aspect, a tunable vibration absorber assembly is disposed within a cavity formed in the chip flute portion. In another aspect, the tunable vibration absorber assembly is disposed within a cavity of a replaceable cutting head. In each aspect, the tunable vibration absorber assembly includes one or more tunable absorber masses, a resilient material between the one or more absorber masses and the cavity, and one or more connecting members for preventing relative angular displacement of the one or more tunable absorber masses. The one or more tunable absorber masses are suspended only by the resilient material, thereby enabling the tunable vibration absorber assembly to be tuned to a desired frequency for suppressing torsional vibration of the rotary cutting tool during a cutting operation.

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.