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 gear hobbing cutter system that includes a cutter head body having a plurality of cartridge-receiving slots arranged in pairs comprising an inside and an outside cartridge-receiving slot. Each pair of inside and outside cartridge-receiving slots are capable of receiving a respective inside and outside cartridge assembly. To ensure that the inside and outside cartridge assemblies are properly positioned within their respective cartridge-receiving slots, one of the dimensions, preferably the length, of the inside cartridge-receiving slot and its respective inside cartridge assembly of a pair is different than the outside cartridge-receiving slot its respective outside cartridge assembly so as to form an error proofing system.

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: A gear hobbing cutter system that includes a cutter head body having a plurality of cartridge-receiving slots arranged in pairs comprising an inside and an outside cartridge-receiving slot. Each pair of inside and outside cartridge-receiving slots are capable of receiving a respective inside and outside cartridge assembly. To ensure that the inside and outside cartridge assemblies are properly positioned within their respective cartridge-receiving slots, one of the dimensions, preferably the length, of the inside cartridge-receiving slot and its respective inside cartridge assembly of a pair is different than the outside cartridge-receiving slot its respective outside cartridge assembly so as to form an error proofing system.

Abstract: A gear hobbing cutter system that includes a cutter head body having a plurality of cartridge-receiving slots arranged in pairs comprising an inside and an outside cartridge-receiving slot. Each pair of inside and outside cartridge-receiving slots are capable of receiving a respective inside and outside cartridge assembly. To ensure that the inside and outside cartridge assemblies are properly positioned within their respective cartridge-receiving slots, one of the dimensions, preferably the length, of the inside cartridge-receiving slot and its respective inside cartridge assembly of a pair is different than the outside cartridge-receiving slot its respective outside cartridge assembly so as to form an error proofing system. A deformable area is provided between the cartridge-receiving slot and the cutter head body. The deformable area includes a flex area for controlling an amount of deformation of the deformable area when a clamping member bears against a clamping pad.

Abstract: A slotting cutter including a support disc rotatable in a predetermined direction on a central axis. The support disc is of a generally cylindrical shape having a first side and a second side, and an outer periphery. A plurality of pockets including a cartridge assembly are staggered about the outer periphery of the support disc and include a cutting insert secured to each cartridge assembly. Each cutting insert includes at least one cutting edge. The cutting insert extends laterally outwardly beyond the first side of the support disc and is spaced from the second side of the support disc such that the cutting edge of adjacent inserts are positioned to laterally overlap thereby providing an increased effective cutting path width.

Abstract: A slotting cutter including a support disc rotatable in a predetermined direction on a central axis. The support disc is of a generally cylindrical shape having a first side and a second side, and an outer periphery. A plurality of pockets are staggered about the outer periphery of the support disc and includes a cutting insert secured in each pocket. Each cutting insert includes at least one cutting edge. The cutting insert extends laterally outwardly beyond the first side of the support disc and is spaced from the second side of the support disc such that the cutting edge of adjacent inserts are positioned to laterally overlap thereby providing an increased effective cutting path width.

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.