Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a main body, a shank portion having a rearward end, and a flute portion having a forward end with one or more flanks. One or more connecting fluid holes are in fluid communication with a central fluid hole and terminates at a flank at the forward end of the cutting tool. One or more twisted fluid holes extend through a lobe in the flute portion and terminates at a flank at the forward end of the cutting tool. A cross-sectional shape of the connecting fluid holes and the twisted fluid holes is selected to provide enhanced delivery of fluid to the cutting edge. In one aspect, the rotary cutting tool is a modular drill and the flute portion has a pocket for holding a replaceable cutting insert.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a tool shank, a replaceable cutting head mounted on the tool shank, a coupling pin, and an actuation member. In one embodiment, the coupling pin has a cylindrical portion with a reduced-diameter portion defined by a pair of angled side walls separated by a bottom surface for cooperating with a non-threaded portion at one end of the actuation member. In another embodiment, the coupling pin has a cylindrical portion with a notch with a pair of side walls for cooperating with a frustoconical member at one end of the actuation member. When assembled, a pair of V-shaped contact surfaces on the cutting head engage a pair of oppositely facing V-shaped contact surfaces on the tool shank to provide stability against the momentum created by cutting forces in two different directions and securely hold the cutting head in place during machining operations.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a replaceable cutting insert, a pocket portion for holding the cutting insert, and a chip flute portion having a plurality of helical flutes. An internal coolant passage is formed in the chip flute portion and has both a twisted geometry and a “see-through” central portion. The internal coolant passage is polygonal in cross-sectional shape having a number of cusps equal to the number of flutes. The internal coolant passage greatly increases coolant flow area, while maintaining the stiffness and rigidity of the cutting tool. A method includes forming the internal coolant passage using additive manufacturing such that the internal coolant passage has a “see-through” central portion and a twisted geometry.

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 cutting insert includes a head portion having a number of cutting edges and a centering pin which is disposed about a central longitudinal axis and which is coupled to, and extends axially away from, the main head portion. The centering pin includes a recess structured to accommodate a portion of a setscrew. The recess includes: a first angled surface disposed generally facing away from a leading end of the centering pin at an acute first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the centering pin; and a second angled surface which is positioned opposing the first angled surface at an acute second angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the centering pin.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a cutting head having a plurality of insert-receiving pockets for radially mounting a first type of cutting insert in a first cutting region and for tangentially mounting a second type of cutting insert in a second cutting region. The first cutting region has a first length, L1, and the second cutting region has a second length, L2, that is greater in magnitude than the first length, L1. The two types of cutting inserts provides a hybrid cutting insert design in which the first type of cutting inserts provide an increased chip gash volume for effective chip evacuation, and the second type of cutting inserts provide an increased core diameter to minimize deflection of the rotary cutting tool.

Abstract: A collet includes an axially rearward end and an axially forward end; a nose portion; a body portion having an outer surface and an inner surface for engaging a shank of a tool; a plurality of slots extending from the inner surface to the outer surface; and a plurality of coolant channels disposed within the collet between the plurality of longitudinally extending slots and extending entirely from the axially rearward end to the axially forward end of the collet. Slots include a first slot extending from the axial forward end to within an intermediary zone, a second slot extending from the axial rearward end to at least the tool holder engagement zone such that the second slot does not intersect the first slot, and a third slot from within the tool engagement zone to within the intermediary zone such that the third slot circumferentially overlaps the first and second slots.

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 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 main body, a shank portion having a rearward end, and a flute portion having a forward end with one or more flanks. One or more connecting fluid holes are in fluid communication with a central fluid hole and terminates at a flank at the forward end of the cutting tool. One or more twisted fluid holes extend through a lobe in the flute portion and terminates at a flank at the forward end of the cutting tool. A cross-sectional shape of the connecting fluid holes and the twisted fluid holes is selected to provide enhanced delivery of fluid to the cutting edge. In one aspect, the rotary cutting tool is a modular drill and the flute portion has a pocket for holding a replaceable cutting insert.

Abstract: Hollow shank tool holders including stress reduction features that result in a more reliable stronger tool holder are disclosed. The tool holders include an elliptical undercut contoured relief surface adjacent to the clamping surface to substantially reduce or eliminate a stress point. The elliptical undercut allows for no changes to be made to the clamping surfaces of the tool holder.

Abstract: Hollow shank tool holders including stress reduction features that result in a more reliable stronger tool holder are disclosed. The tool holders include an elliptical undercut contoured relief surface adjacent to the clamping surface to substantially reduce or eliminate a stress point. The elliptical undercut allows for no changes to be made to the clamping surfaces of the tool holder.

Abstract: A modular rotary cutting tool includes a cutting head for insertion into a support. The cutting head has a coupling pin having torque surfaces and clamping surfaces formed on its outer peripheral surface. The coupling pin is divided into a front pin part and a rear pin part. The front pin part is defined by a circumferential groove. Stop surfaces for an axial pullout prevention are formed between the front pin part and the rear pin part. The torque surfaces and the clamping surfaces are arranged in different pin parts. For example, the clamping surfaces are preferably formed on the front pin part and the torque surfaces are preferably formed on the rear pin part. The clamping surfaces taper radially inward in a direction of the front cutting part at an angle of inclination, ?2, with respect to the axis of rotation. Other variants and embodiments are broadly contemplated herein.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a replaceable cutting insert, a pocket portion for holding the cutting insert, and a chip flute portion having a plurality of helical flutes. An internal coolant passage is formed in the chip flute portion and has both a twisted geometry and a “see-through” central portion. The internal coolant passage is polygonal in cross-sectional shape having a number of cusps equal to the number of flutes. The internal coolant passage greatly increases coolant flow area, while maintaining the stiffness and rigidity of the cutting tool. A method includes forming the internal coolant passage using additive manufacturing such that the internal coolant passage has a “see-through” central portion and a twisted geometry.

Abstract: A hardware fastener with a movable threaded element suspended within a cavity formed in a body. The movable threaded element has an internal surface with threads for cooperating with a threaded fastener. The movable threaded element is suspended in the cavity by the one or more spring-like members such that an area, A, of reduced stiffness is created in the cavity proximate the movable threaded element, thereby allowing the movable threaded element to move a predetermined distance within the cavity when torque is applied to the threaded fastener. The one or more spring-like members store elastic potential energy to prevent the loss of pretension of the threaded fastener that can be caused by heat or vibration. The invention also eliminates the need for a torque wrench when tightening the threaded fastener to a specified torque value.

Abstract: A cutting insert includes a head portion having a number of cutting edges and a centering pin which is disposed about a central longitudinal axis and which is coupled to, and extends axially away from, the main head portion. The centering pin includes a recess structured to accommodate a portion of a setscrew. The recess includes: a first angled surface disposed generally facing away from a leading end of the centering pin at an acute first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the centering pin; and a second angled surface which is positioned opposing the first angled surface at an acute second angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the centering pin.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool with a shank and an interchangeable cutting tip, wherein the shank includes a pocket which receives the interchangeable cutting tip via an interference fit. The pocket includes two centering wall portions which, when viewed along a central longitudinal axis, are oriented at a first angle with respect to one another, the first angle being greater than zero. The interchangeable cutting tip is axially displaceable between: an initial position, assumed upon being received in the pocket of the shank; a clamped position, wherein the interchangeable cutting tip is fixedly held with respect to the shank; and a bump-off position, wherein the interchangeable cutting tip is not fixedly held. A holding element holds the interchangeable cutting tip in the clamped position, and a spring assembly which displaces the interchangeable cutting tip between the clamped position and the bump-off position. Other variants and embodiments are broadly contemplated herein.

Abstract: A collet includes an axially rearward end and an axially forward end; a nose portion; a body portion having an outer surface and an inner surface for engaging a shank of a tool; a plurality of slots extending from the inner surface to the outer surface; and a plurality of coolant channels disposed within the collet between the plurality of longitudinally extending slots and extending entirely from the axially rearward end to the axially forward end of the collet. Slots include a first slot extending from the axial forward end to within an intermediary zone, a second slot extending from the axial rearward end to at least the tool holder engagement zone such that the second slot does not intersect the first slot, and a third slot from within the tool engagement zone to within the intermediary zone such that the third slot circumferentially overlaps the first and second slots.