Abstract: In one aspect, tool holders employing axial sleeves and dampening elements are described herein. Tool holders described herein define a central longitudinal axis and comprise a tool holder body having a connector portion and a holder portion. The connector portion is structured to engage a rotary machine and the holder portion is disposed opposite the connector portion and has an inner diameter surface comprising a plurality of axial grooves. Tool holders described herein further comprise a tool receiver structured to receive at least a portion of a cutting tool, the tool receiver having an outer diameter surface comprising a plurality of axial grooves. The tool receiver is mounted in the holder portion so as to align the axial grooves of the inner and outer diameter surfaces and define axial sleeves filled with dampening elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic expansion chuck with a basic body, with an expansion bush which is received in the basic body and defines a reception space for a tool to be chucked, and with a pressure chamber which is delimited between the expansion bush and the basic body, at least one solder region being provided, in which the expansion bush is soldered to the basic body, wherein, between the pressure chamber and the solder region, a seal is provided which is formed by an at least essentially fluid-tight bearing contact of the expansion bush against the basic body.

Abstract: A tuned or tunable boring tool includes a boring bar defining an elongated cavity therein. A distal end of the boring bar is configured to support a tool or cutting insert. The boring tool further includes a dynamic vibration absorber inserted within the elongated cavity of the boring bar. The dynamic vibration absorber includes a mass that vibrates in conjunction with vibration of the boring bar. The mass has a proximal end and a distal end. The dynamic vibration absorber further includes at least one resilient proximal support positioned adjacent to and supporting the proximal end of the mass and at least one distal resilient support positioned adjacent to and supporting the distal end of the mass. The at least one proximal support and at least one distal support have a different stiffness.

Abstract: A tunable or tuned boring tool having a dynamic vibration absorber is provided herein. The boring tool includes a boring bar having a distal portion configured to support a tool, a proximal portion configured for attachment to a support structure of a metalworking machine, and a cylindrical body extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion, having an elongated cavity therein. The boring tool further includes a tuned or tunable absorber inserted in the cavity of the boring bar. The absorber includes an absorber mass, an annular or partially annular support circumscribing each end of the absorber mass for holding the absorber mass within the cavity, and a layer of fluid restricting material surrounding at least a central portion of the absorber mass for dampening vibration of the absorber mass. A method of forming a boring tool with a dynamic vibration absorber is also provided herein.

Abstract: A tool holder for carrying a cutting insert wherein the cutting insert is useful for the removal of material during a material removal operation. The tool holder includes a tool holder body. The tool holder body includes a pocket adapted to carry the cutting insert, a coolant inlet in communication with a pressurized source of coolant, a coolant chamber having a central region, an upstream coolant passage having a central longitudinal upstream coolant passage axis, and a downstream coolant passage having a central longitudinal downstream coolant passage axis. The upstream coolant passage opens into the coolant chamber. The upstream coolant passage has an orientation relative to the coolant chamber so that the central longitudinal upstream coolant passage axis is offset from the central region of the coolant chamber whereby coolant flows into the coolant chamber in a tangential fashion.

Abstract: A modular cutter head having a holder defining a threaded receiver. The cutter head can be screwed into the threaded receiver. The cutter can comprise an elongated body portion having a cutting end and cutting edge and an elongated coupling portion spaced from the cutting end, with the coupling portion comprising a core and a plurality of generally helically-extending start threads disposed circumferentially about the core. The cutter head may also include a cutting end having a chip flute and an insert seat.

Abstract: A toolholder includes an absorber mass externally mounted to a body portion of the toolholder. A spacer is disposed within one or more recesses formed in a bottom wall of the absorber mass. One or more resilient members are disposed between the body portion and the absorber mass, and one or more resilient members are disposed between the absorber mass and the spacer. A clamping bolt passes through each spacer, through the absorber mass and is threaded into the body portion of the toolholder. A rigidity of the one or more resilient members can be selectively adjusted by the clamping bolts so as to tune the absorber mass for optimum dampening of vibration of the toolholder.

Abstract: A tunable or tuned boring bar having increased stiffness is provided. Increasing the stiffness of the bar increases the natural frequency, thereby reducing directional deformation of the bar during use. The tunable boring bar includes a distal portion configured to support a tool, a proximal portion configured for attachment to a support structure of a metalworking machine, and a body, which is at least partially tubular, extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The tubular portion of the body has an elongated cylindrical cavity. The body of the boring bar includes a core layer formed from a first material and a coating layer formed from a second material. The second material has a higher modulus of elasticity than the first material. In certain configurations, the coating layer is bonded to the core layer by cladding, welding, chemical adhesives, chemical vapor deposition, pulsated plasma diffusion, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A process of grinding a pre-ground part wherein the method includes the steps of: providing a pre-ground part containing a bore, and the pre-ground part having an exterior surface with one or more to-be-ground exterior surface regions; positioning a loading tool within the bore of the pre-ground part; exerting a loading tool load on the loading tool which in turn exerts a part load on the pre-ground part; removing material from the one or more to-be-ground surface regions of the pre-ground part when under the part load to form an as-ground part; and unloading the part load from the as-ground part.

Abstract: A toolholder assembly includes a toolholder having a toolholder shank with a non-circular cross-section, a base member having a bore with a non-circular cross-section that receives the toolholder shank, a canister positioned in the base member, a lock rod positioned in the canister, a locking ball for cooperating with the lock rod, the canister and/or the toolholder shank and an actuating element configured for cooperation with the lock rod for moving the lock rod between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Abstract: A tool adapter includes an adaptor body having a connection portion structured to be attached to a machine tool and a holder portion disposed opposite the connection portion and a tool receiver structured to receive and couple a portion of a rotary cutting tool therein. The tool receiver is mounted in the holder portion so as to be rotatable to a limited extent. The tool receiver is mounted in the holder so as to be elastically resilient in both the axial and circumferential directions.

Abstract: A toolholder includes an absorber mass externally mounted to a body portion of the toolholder. A spacer is disposed within one or more recesses formed in a bottom wall of the absorber mass. One or more resilient members are disposed between the body portion and the absorber mass, and one or more resilient members are disposed between the absorber mass and the spacer. A clamping bolt passes through each spacer, through the absorber mass and is threaded into the body portion of the toolholder. A rigidity of the one or more resilient members can be selectively adjusted by the clamping bolts so as to tune the absorber mass for optimum dampening of vibration of the toolholder.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a cutter of generally cylindrical shape disposed about a central longitudinal axis. The cutter has a first end having an active fluted portion and an opposite second end, the second end having a male threaded portion disposed thereabout. The cutting tool further includes a shank of generally cylindrical shape disposed about the central longitudinal axis, the shank having a recessed female threaded portion formed in a first end. The male threaded portion includes a number of threads disposed at a first pitch and the female threaded portion includes a number of threads disposed at a second pitch different than the first pitch. The cutter and the shank are selectively coupled via threaded engagement of the male threaded portion and the female threaded portion.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool including a cutter member having an axial forward end and an axial rearward end. A cutting region is at the axial forward end of the cutter member, and a male threaded portion is adjacent the axial rearward end of the cutter member. A shank member has an axial forward end and a shank bore opening at the axial forward end. The shank bore has an axial shank bore length. The shank bore contains a female threaded portion and an axial rearward shank bore portion axially rearward of the female threaded portion. The axial rearward shank bore portion has a terminal end. When the male threaded portion of the cutter member fully engages the female threaded portion of the shank member, the axial rearward end of the cutter member being spaced a first distance axially forward of the terminal end of the axial rearward shank bore portion.

Abstract: A hydraulic expansion chuck for receiving a tool includes a chuck body, an expansion bushing which is received in the chuck body and defines a chuck opening, a pressure chamber which is interposed between the expansion bushing and the chuck body, and a reduction sleeve. The reduction sleeve is received in the chuck opening of the expansion bushing and defines a tool holder receptacle for receiving the tool to be chucked. The reduction sleeve includes a connector element configured to releasably attach the reduction sleeve to the chuck body. The reduction sleeve also may include an adjustment element configured to adjust the axial position of the tool in the tool holder receptacle.

Abstract: A tool shank for use with a cutting insert in a rotary cutting tool includes a body having, and adapted to be rotated about, a central longitudinal tool axis, the body having a tip portion structured to receive at least a portion of the cutting insert therein. The shank also includes a pair of chip flutes formed in the body and a pair of recesses, each recess bordering a respective chip flute. Each recess includes a rim portion extending perpendicular to the tool axis and a bearing surface extending at an incline relative to the tool axis. Each rim portion is adapted to engage a corresponding surface on the cutting insert. Each bearing surface is adapted to engage a corresponding bearing surface on the cutting insert in a manner such that the cutting insert is pulled against the body when the rotary cutting tool is rotated about the tool axis.

Abstract: A toolholder connector having one threaded end and one end with a male quick change portion is threadingly engaged with a first toolholder having a threaded bore. The quick change connector also has a male quick change portion that is engaged within a side activated receiver of a second toolholder. Prior to activating the receiver, an alignment pin associated with the first toolholder is lined up with alignment slot associated with the second toolholder such that when the two are brought together, a pre-determined radial alignment will be retained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic expansion chuck with a basic body, with an expansion bush which is received in the basic body and defines a reception space for a tool to be chucked, and with a pressure chamber which is delimited between the expansion bush and the basic body, at least one solder region being provided, in which the expansion bush is soldered to the basic body, wherein, between the pressure chamber and the solder region, a seal is provided which is formed by an at least essentially fluid-tight bearing contact of the expansion bush against the basic body.

Abstract: A toolholder includes a body portion having an exterior surface and a dynamic absorber mounted on the exterior surface of the body portion. The dynamic absorber includes a rigid support member, a cover member, and an absorber mass disposed within a cavity formed by the rigid support member and the cover member. A first resilient support member is disposed between the rigid support member and the absorber mass, and a second resilient support member is disposed between the cover member and the absorber mass. The dynamic absorber is tuned by moving the cover member relative to the rigid support member. A method of suppressing vibrations of the toolholder includes externally mounting the dynamic absorber on the exterior surface of the toolholder.

Abstract: A drill having a replaceable cutting head, modified to eliminate forces which would distort the pocket of the drill shank and otherwise concentrate stresses which would cause failure of the drill. The cutting head has a frustoconical depending connecting member received in a receptacle formed in the shank. In different embodiments, contact between the pocket formed in the shank and the cutting head connecting member is limited. In one embodiment, angle of drive surfaces is modified from prior art practice. In another embodiment, transition of at curved joints between vertical and horizontal surfaces is made more gradual. The drill preferably has flutes formed collectively by the shank and cutting head when assembled.