Abstract: A milling cutter includes a shank having an insert pocket and a cam pin hole. The insert pocket includes a bottom surface, a radial seating surface and an axial seating surface. A cutting insert is mounted in the insert pocket. The cutting insert includes a blind hole extending from a bottom surface. A cam pin is rotatably mounted in the cam pin hole. One end of the cam pin includes a raised boss received in the blind hole of the cutting insert. A center axis of the raised boss is offset from a center axis of the cam pin such that rotation of the cam pin causes the raised boss to exert pressure against the blind hole of the cutting insert, thereby causing one of the side walls of the cutting insert to be forced against the radial seating surface of the insert pocket.

Abstract: A toolholder for use in a metalworking operation, with a body extending along a longitudinal axis and a recess extending within the first end of the body. Adjacent an insert pocket adapted to receive a cutting insert in the recess is at least one wall with a portion having a surface with multiple interruptions to form a chip ejection segment. The chip ejection segment may be an integral part of the toolholder body or may be a discrete piece removably attached to the toolholder body. A method of imparting to a toolholder such a chip ejection segment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool such as a helical end mill, having pockets arranged to overcome harmonic vibrations. The tool has at least two and in one embodiment all three of three spacing irregularities. In the first irregularity, columns of pockets, typically associated with flutes, are staggered circumferentially out of even spacing. In a preferred embodiment having three flutes, the flutes are mostly not centered on one hundred twenty degree intervals. In the second irregularity, at least some pockets are arranged at different radial rake angles. In the third irregularity, at least some pockets are arranged at different axial rake angles.

Abstract: A toolholder at least one cutting insert mounted within a pocket about the peripheral wall of the cutter body. The body includes a pocket having an angled retention ledge which provides acts, in conjunction with a fastener, to securely retain an insert mounted therein. The insert has an angled edge which conforms with and works in conjunction with the toolholder pocket.

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 toolholder at least one cutting insert mounted within a pocket about the peripheral wall of the cutter body. The body includes a pocket having an angled retention ledge which provides acts, in conjunction with a fastener, to securely retain an insert mounted therein. The insert has an angled edge which conforms with and works in conjunction with the toolholder pocket.

Abstract: Both a device and method for adjusting the position of a cutting insert relative to the body of a cutting tool such as a milling cutter are provided. The device includes a cantilevered wall integrally connected to the tool body, that forms a portion of the pocket in the tool body that supports a side of the insert, and a wedge mechanism for elastically flexing the cantilevered wall to adjust the position of a cutting edge of the insert relative to the tool body. The wedge mechanism may take the form of a screw threadedly engaged to the tool body that has a conical head engaged against the cantilevered wall such that when the screw is turned, the conical wedge formed by the screw head flexes the cantilevered wall a small distance. The device advantageously allows fine adjustments to be made in the position of the cutting edge of an insert by the simple turning of a single screw.