Cutting Insert and Tool Having an Anti-Slip Arrangement
A cutting tool and a cutting insert each include a base surface and an anti-slip arrangement. Each anti-slip arrangement includes an actuator surface and non-parallel first and second abutment surfaces, and the actuator surface of the cutting tool is a surface of a clamp of the cutting tool. The cutting insert is mounted on the cutting tool via engagement of the base surfaces thereof and the clamp is operable to bias the actuator surfaces against each other and thereby force the first and second abutment surfaces against each other, for preventing slippage of the cutting insert along the tool's base surface.
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The subject matter of the present application relates to cutting inserts and tools for holding same, in particular cutting inserts and tools designed for metal-working machines. More specifically, the application relates to a construction and/or method relating to prevention of slippage of a cutting insert mounted on a tool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPrecise positioning of a cutting insert in a tool can allow for high precision cutting. However, cutting inserts are often subjected to high forces during cutting operations which can cause displacement or change of orientation of the cutting insert in a tool which hold them.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,996 discloses a cutting tool comprising a tool body and two cutting inserts mounted therein. An insert receiving pocket of the tool body has a pocket base wall. An indentation that opens to the pocket base wall has a lower wall that is bounded by first, second, third and fourth side walls. The cutting insert has an insert base wall. A protuberance extends downwards from the insert base wall and has a lower wall bounded by first, second, third and fourth lateral walls. The insert base wall abuts the pocket base wall, the first lateral wall abuts the first side wall, the third lateral wall abuts the third side wall, the first lateral wall is distanced from a center line by a first distance, the cutting edge close to the center line is distanced therefrom by a second distance where the first distance is at least three times greater than the second distance and where a relief surface of the cutting insert is relieved from the insert receiving pocket.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe subject matter of the present invention relates to, inter alia, an anti-slip arrangement for maintaining a precise mounted operative position of a cutting insert in a tool.
Such arrangement may be particularly beneficial for rotating tools and in particular high-speed rotating tools, which are subjected to high cutting forces. High-speed tools can be defined as those which are configured for operation in which a friction lock is insufficient to withstand centrifugal forces during rotation. Further elaboration can be found in ISO 15641.
Such arrangements could also be particularly beneficial for lateral cutting operations (including, for example, ramp-down operations), even at lower speeds, in which cutting inserts can tend to be subjected to high displacement forces.
In accordance with a first aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a method of clamping a cutting insert to a tool or, stated differently, securing a cutting insert against slippage in an operative position on a tool.
The method comprises mounting the cutting insert on the tool in a position in which an insert base surface contacts a tool base surface, and biasing a clamp's tool actuator surface against an insert actuator surface to thereby force non-parallel first and second insert abutment surfaces respectively against non-parallel first and second tool abutment surfaces.
Abutment of the base surfaces and abutment surfaces can be configured to prevent slippage of the cutting insert along the tool base surface.
For the purposes of the specification and claims, slippage of the cutting insert along the tool base surface can include rotational and/or translational motion. In preferred embodiments the slippage could be visible slippage, i.e. there could be sufficient constructional tolerance of the tool and/or cutting insert to allow visible relative motion thereof, which could allow the clamp to suitably position the cutting insert. However, the slippage could also be non-visible slippage, i.e. extremely small, such that it is not visible without magnification, but which can occur during cutting operations.
More precisely, the method can comprise: the tool comprising an insert seating region comprising a tool base surface, tool inner and peripheral regions located on opposing sides of the insert seating region, and a tool anti-slip arrangement; the tool anti-slip arrangement comprising first and second tool abutment surfaces formed adjacent to the tool base surface and being non-parallel to each other and to the tool base surface, and a clamp located at the tool inner region and comprising a tool actuator surface which is oriented transverse to the tool base surface; the cutting insert comprising opposing insert top and base surfaces which are connected by an insert peripheral surface, at least one cutting edge, and an insert anti-slip arrangement formed adjacent to the insert base surface; the insert anti-slip arrangement comprising first and second insert abutment surfaces which are non-parallel to each other and to the insert base surface, and an insert actuator surface which is oriented transverse to the insert base surface; wherein the method comprises:
- a. mounting the cutting insert on the tool in a position in which the insert base surface contacts the tool base surface; and
- b. biasing the clamp's tool actuator surface against the insert actuator surface, thereby biasing the first and second insert abutment surfaces respectively against the first and second tool abutment surfaces for preventing slippage of the cutting insert along the tool base surface.
In accordance with another aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a tool assembly. The tool assembly can be configured for application of the methods detailed in the first aspect. The cutting insert and the tool can be configured such that the insert base surface contacts the tool base surface and the clamp is configured to bias the tool actuator surface against the insert actuator surface. Such biasing can consequently bias the first and second insert abutment surfaces against the first and second tool abutment surfaces. This arrangement can prevent slippage of the cutting insert along the tool base surface.
More precisely, the tool assembly can comprise in combination a tool configured for cutting in a cutting direction and a cutting insert mounted to the tool: the tool comprising an insert seating region comprising a tool base surface, tool inner and peripheral regions located on opposing sides of the insert seating region, the cutting direction being defined as extending from the tool inner region towards the tool peripheral region, and a tool anti-slip arrangement; the tool anti-slip arrangement comprising first and second tool abutment surfaces formed adjacent to the tool base surface and being non-parallel to each other and to the tool base surface, and a clamp located at the tool inner region and comprising a tool actuator surface which is oriented transverse to the tool base surface; the cutting insert comprising opposing insert top and base surfaces which are connected by an insert peripheral surface, at least one cutting edge, and an insert anti-slip arrangement formed adjacent to the insert base surface the insert anti-slip arrangement comprising first and second insert abutment surfaces which are non-parallel to each other and to the insert base surface, and an insert actuator surface which is oriented transverse to the insert base surface; wherein: the cutting insert and the tool are configured for a position in which the insert base surface contacts the tool base surface; and the clamp is configured to bias the tool actuator surface against the insert actuator surface which consequently biases the first and second insert abutment surfaces against the first and second tool abutment surfaces for preventing slippage of the cutting insert along the tool base surface.
In accordance with still another aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a cutting insert comprising first and second insert abutment surfaces which are non-parallel to each other and an insert actuator surface, which are together configured for positioning of the insert in a tool. The cutting insert can be configured for use in the tool assembly or in application of the methods detailed in the previous aspects. The first and second insert abutment surfaces and the insert actuator surface can be, in a bottom view of the cutting insert, in a triangular configuration. The first and second insert abutment surfaces can partially or along the entire length thereof, converge towards each other.
More precisely, the cutting insert can comprise opposing insert top and base surfaces which are connected by an insert peripheral surface, at least one cutting edge, and an insert anti-slip arrangement formed adjacent to the insert base surface; the insert anti-slip arrangement comprising first and second insert abutment surfaces which are non-parallel to each other and to the insert base surface, and an insert actuator surface having a blunt shape and lying in an insert actuator surface plane which is oriented transverse to the insert base surface; wherein pairs of closest points of the first and second insert abutment surfaces lie within respective common insert abutment surface planes which are parallel to the insert actuator surface plane, are a predetermined distance apart; and at least one of the predetermined distances has a greater magnitude than another predetermined distance which is associated with a pair of points further spaced from the insert actuator surface plane.
In accordance with a further aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a cutting insert comprising opposing insert top and base surfaces which are connected by an insert peripheral surface, opposing first and second cutting ends arranged along an insert longitudinal plane perpendicular to the insert top and base surfaces, a protuberance surrounded by the insert base surface and spaced apart from the insert peripheral surface, and first and second insert anti-slip arrangements formed on the protuberance, each insert anti-slip arrangement comprising: outwardly facing first and second insert abutment surfaces which are non-parallel to the insert base surface, and an outwardly facing insert actuator surface oriented transverse to the insert base surface, wherein: the first and second insert abutment surfaces of one insert anti-slip arrangement converge in a direction towards the insert actuator surface of the other anti-slip arrangement and also towards an associated cutting end.
In accordance with another aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a tool comprising first and second tool abutment surfaces which are non-parallel to each other and a tool actuator surface, which are configured for positioning of an insert in a tool. The tool can be configured for use in the tool assembly or application of the methods detailed in the previous aspects. The first and second tool abutment surfaces and the tool actuator surface can be, in a plan view thereof, in a triangular configuration. The first and second tool abutment surfaces can partially or along the entire length thereof, converge towards each other.
More precisely, the tool can have a cutting direction and can comprise an insert seating region comprising a tool base surface, tool inner and peripheral regions located on opposing sides of the insert seating region, the cutting direction being defined as extending from the tool inner region towards the tool peripheral region, and a tool anti-slip arrangement; the tool anti-slip arrangement comprising first and second tool abutment surfaces formed adjacent to the tool base surface and being non-parallel to each other and to the tool base surface, and a clamp located at the tool inner region and comprising a tool actuator surface lying in a tool actuator surface plane which is oriented transverse to the tool base surface; wherein pairs of closest points of the first and second tool abutment surfaces lie within respective common tool abutment surface planes which are parallel to the tool actuator surface plane, are a predetermined distance apart; at least one of the predetermined distances has a greater magnitude than another predetermined distance which is associated with a pair of points further spaced from the tool actuator surface plane; and the clamp is configured for force application in the cutting direction via the tool actuator surface.
In summary, the cutting insert or tool of the aspects above can comprise a base surface and an anti-slip arrangement. Each anti-slip arrangement can comprise an actuator surface and first and second abutment surfaces. The anti-slip arrangement of the tool can comprise a clamp. The cutting insert can be mounted on the cutting tool via engagement of the base surfaces thereof and the clamp can be operated to bias the actuator surfaces and first and second abutment surfaces against each other for preventing slippage of the cutting insert along the tool's base surface.
It is understood that the above-said is a summary, and that any of the aspects above may further comprise any of the features described in connection with any of the other aspects or described hereinbelow. For example, any of the following features may be applicable to any of the above-aspects of the present application:
- i. Biasing of the tool actuator surface can be in the cutting direction. The cutting direction can be defined as extending from the tool inner region towards the tool peripheral region.
- ii. Biasing of the tool actuator surface can comprise moving at least a portion of the clamp in a motion direction transverse to the cutting direction. Moving the clamp can comprise moving the entire clamp in a motion direction transverse to the cutting direction.
- iii. An internal direction angle formed between the cutting direction and the motion direction can be an acute angle. Preferably, the direction angle can be between 30° and 80°.
- iv. The cutting insert's at least one cutting edge can be formed at an intersection of the insert top surface and the insert peripheral surface.
- v. At least a portion of the insert top surface can be configured as a rake surface and at least a portion of the insert peripheral surface adjacent to the rake surface can be configured as a relief surface.
- vi. The cutting insert can comprise a through hole opening out to the top insert surface and another surface of the cutting insert. In a bottom view of the cutting insert, the insert actuator surface can be located on one side of the through hole and the first and second insert abutment surfaces can be located on an opposing side of the through hole.
- vii. In a bottom view of the cutting insert, each of the first and second insert abutment surfaces and the insert actuator surface can face outward from the insert.
- viii. Each pair of points of the first and second insert abutment surfaces which are closer to the insert actuator surface plane than another pair of points of the first and second insert abutment surfaces located further from the insert actuator surface plane, can have a predetermined distance of greater magnitude than the latter pair of points.
- ix. In a bottom view of the cutting insert, the first and second insert abutment surfaces can extend at an angle of less than 180° to each other.
- x. In a bottom view of the cutting insert, the first and/or second insert abutment surfaces extend in a straight line.
- xi. In a bottom view of the cutting insert, the first and second insert abutment surfaces can extend at an acute insert abutment angle to each other.
- xii. In a bottom view of the cutting insert, the first insert abutment surface can be longer than the second insert abutment surface.
- xiii. The first and second insert abutment surfaces and the insert actuator surface can extend in a direction away from the insert top surface.
- xiv. The insert actuator surface and/or the first and second insert abutment surfaces of the cutting insert can be perpendicular to the insert base surface or at least partially slanted in a downward-outward direction. Such construction can be beneficial in prevention of a tool actuator surface propelling the cutting insert in a direction away from the tool base surface.
- xv. The first and second insert abutment surfaces can be formed on a single protuberance. The insert actuator surface and the first and second insert abutment surfaces can be formed on a single protuberance. Every insert actuator surface and the first and second insert abutment surfaces of the cutting insert can be formed on a single protuberance. Every insert actuator surface and the first and second insert abutment surfaces of the cutting insert can be connected to form a periphery of, or enclose, a single protuberance.
- xvi. The bluntness of the insert actuator surface can be for providing a consistent or controlled force application direction. The insert actuator surface can have a curvature which does not extend along, or is free of, portions which are tangential to surfaces connected to the insert actuator surface. The insert actuator surface can be convexly curved. The insert actuator surface can have a curvature which is only apparent in a magnified view (i.e. to the naked eye the insert actuator surface appears flat, yet using any magnification means, a magnifying glass, etc., curvature is viewable).
- xvii. In a bottom view of the cutting insert, the insert actuator surface can follow a straight line. The blunt shape of the insert actuator surface can be flat.
- xviii. The cutting insert can comprise an insert cutting plane which extends perpendicular to the insert base surface and an insert longitudinal plane, the insert longitudinal plane extending longitudinally through the cutting insert and perpendicular to the insert base surface. In a bottom view of the cutting insert, the insert cutting plane can theoretically divide the cutting insert into imaginary first and second insert halves. In a bottom view of the cutting insert, the first and second insert abutment surfaces can be at least partially located at the first insert half and the insert actuator surface can be located at the second insert half. At least a majority of the first insert abutment surface and/or the second insert abutment surfaces can be located at the first insert half. An entirety of the second insert abutment surface can be located at the first insert half. An entirety of each of the first and second insert abutment surfaces can be located at the first insert half.
- xix. In a bottom view of the cutting insert, closest portions of the first and second insert abutments surfaces can be closer to the cutting edge than to the insert cutting plane.
- xx. In a bottom view of the cutting insert, the insert anti-slip arrangement, or each insert anti-slip arrangement, can be asymmetric about an insert longitudinal plane.
- xxi. The insert base surface can extend along the entire insert peripheral surface.
- xxii. A first insert base width of the insert base surface which extends from, and perpendicular to, the first insert abutment surface (of each anti-slip arrangement), can be greater than a second insert base width which extends from, and perpendicular to, the second insert abutment surface (of each anti-slip arrangement).
- xxiii. The insert base surface can be flat.
- xxiv. The cutting insert can be indexable. The cutting insert can comprise an additional, i.e. a second, insert anti-slip arrangement. Such construction could be for a different indexed position. The additional insert anti-slip arrangement can have any feature of the first anti-slip arrangement. The additional insert anti-slip arrangement can have the same features as the first anti-slip arrangement. Each insert actuator surface of one of the insert anti-slip arrangements can connect the first and second insert abutments surfaces of the other insert anti-slip arrangement.
- xxv. The cutting insert can have 180° rotational symmetry around an insert central axis extending perpendicular to, and through the center of, the insert base surface.
- xxvi. The clamp's force application can be in a direction parallel to the tool base surface.
- xxvii. The tool actuator surface can extend perpendicular to the tool base surface.
- xxviii. The clamp and/or tool can be configured for linear motion of the clamp. The linear motion of the clamp is in a direction transverse to the cutting direction. The tool can be formed with a track. The track can be a linear track within which the clamp is permitted linear motion. The track can be bounded by an inner wall of the tool. The track and the clamp can be configured for continuous contact of the inner wall and clamp at each position thereof.
- xxix. The clamp can have a clamp wall surface which forms an internal acute clamp angle α with the tool actuator surface. The clamp angle α can fulfill the condition 30°<α<80°.
- xxx. In a clamped position, the clamp can have a clamp wall surface which contacts an inner wall of the tool.
- xxxi. In a plan view of the tool, each of the first and second insert abutment surfaces and the insert actuator surface can face inwardly.
- xxxii. Each pair of points of the first and second tool abutment surfaces which are closer to the tool actuator surface plane than another pair of points, can have a predetermined distance of greater magnitude than the latter pair of points. In a plan view of the insert seating region, the first and second tool abutment surfaces can extend at an angle of less than 180° to each other.
- xxxiii. In a plan view of the insert seating region, the first and/or second tool abutment surfaces can extend in a straight line.
- xxxiv. In a plan view of the insert seating region, the first and second tool abutment surfaces extend at an acute angle to each other.
- xxxv. In a plan view of the insert seating region, the first tool abutment surface can be longer than the second tool abutment surface.
- xxxvi. The first and second tool abutment surfaces and the tool actuator surface can be recessed into the insert seating region.
- xxxvii. The tool actuator surface and/or the first and second tool abutment surfaces of the tool can be perpendicular to the tool base surface or at least partially slanted in an upward-inward direction.
- xxxviii. The first and second tool abutment surfaces can be formed in a single tool recess.
- xxxix. The tool actuator surface and the first and second tool abutment surfaces can be portions of a single continuous shape.
- xl. The tool actuator surface can have a blunt shape. The bluntness of the tool actuator surface can be for providing a consistent or controlled force application direction. The tool actuator surface can have a curvature which does not extend along, or is free of, portions which are tangential to surfaces connected thereto. The tool actuator surface can be convexly curved. The tool actuator surface can have a curvature which is only apparent in a magnified view.
- xli. In a plan view of the insert seating region, the tool actuator surface can follow a straight line. The blunt shape of the tool actuator surface can be flat.
- xlii. The tool base surface can extend along the entire insert seating region except for a portion completed by the clamp.
- xliii. A first tool base width of the tool base surface which extends from, and perpendicular to, the first tool abutment surface, can be greater than a second tool base width which extends from, and perpendicular to, the second tool abutment surface.
- xliv. The tool base surface can be flat.
- xlv. The tool anti-slip arrangement and the insert anti-slip arrangement can be configured to prevent motion of the cutting insert in a plane parallel with the tool base surface.
- xlvi. The tool anti-slip arrangement and the insert anti-slip arrangement can be configured to prevent motion of the cutting insert only in a plane parallel with the tool base surface.
- xlvii. The tool can be additionally configured to apply a clamping force or otherwise prevent disengagement of the cutting insert's base surface from the tool base surface. For example, the tool can comprise a biasing arrangement configured to bias the insert base surface against the tool base surface.
- xlviii. The biasing arrangement can be configured to allow slippage of the cutting insert along the tool base surface. The slippage allowed can be visible slippage.
- xlix. The cutting insert and/or the tool can be configured so that the only surfaces of the tool which contact a periphery of the cutting insert are the tool actuator surface and the first and second tool abutment surfaces.
- l. The cutting insert and/or the tool can be configured so that the only surfaces of the tool which contact the cutting insert are the tool actuator surface, the tool base surface and the first and second tool abutment surfaces.
- li. The tool actuator surface and the insert actuator surface can be both blunt. Preferably, exactly one of the two actuator surfaces can be flat.
- lii. The first and second tool abutment surfaces can be integrally formed with the tool.
- liii. The first and second insert abutment surfaces can be integrally formed with the cutting insert.
- liv. The insert seating region can be formed with an insert pocket comprising at least two walls.
- lv. Clamping of the cutting insert to the tool can comprise sliding motion of the cutting insert's insert base surface along the tool base surface.
- lvi. The insert anti-slip arrangement can be spaced apart from or separate from the insert peripheral surface.
For a better understanding of the subject matter of the present application, and to show how the same may be carried out in practice, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
An example of the subject matter of the present example is described as follows.
Referring to
The tool assembly 10, in this non-limiting example, is configured to mill a workpiece (not shown) by rotating about a tool axis AT in a rotation direction DR, which in this non-limiting example can be counterclockwise.
Referring also to
More precisely, the tool anti-slip arrangement 24 can comprise first and second tool abutment surfaces 26A, 26B formed adjacent to the tool base surface 18, and a clamp 28 comprising a tool actuator surface 30.
The clamp 28 can be located at the tool inner region 20. The tool actuator surface 30 can be oriented transverse to the tool base surface 18.
Referring now also to
The insert anti-slip arrangement 40 can comprise first and second insert abutment surfaces 42A, 42B and an insert actuator surface 44 which is oriented transverse to the insert base surface 34. Thus, the periphery of the cutting insert 14 may be considered to include not only the insert peripheral surface 36, but also the insert actuator surface 44 and first and second insert abutment surfaces 42A, 42B, which are oriented transverse to the insert base surface 34.
The first and second tool abutment surfaces 26A, 26B and first and second insert abutment surfaces 42A, 42B are configured for engaging each other. As best shown in
To clamp the cutting insert 14 to the tool 12, the cutting insert 14 is mounted on the tool 12 in a position in which the insert base surface 34 contacts the tool base surface 18. Stated differently, the cutting insert 14 can be seated on the tool 12, via the tool and insert base surfaces 18, 34 thereof. Subsequently, the clamp's tool actuator surface 30 can be biased against the insert actuator surface 44 resulting in the first and second insert abutment surfaces 42A, 42B being respectively biased against the first and second tool abutment surfaces 26A, 26B.
It will be understood that such clamping can be advantageous for preventing slippage of a cutting insert along a tool base surface since a cutting insert can be simultaneously clamped on three surfaces thereof, namely an insert actuator surface, and first and second insert abutment surfaces thereof. It will be understood that in cases of non-parallel abutment surfaces, simultaneous three-point contact can be achieved, the three points (or three surfaces) being located in a non-linear arrangement and hence can constitute a triangular arrangement. In particular, such arrangement of the abutment surfaces and actuator surfaces is suitable for preventing translation and rotation, of a cutting insert relative to a tool, along a base plane PB (
A further advantage may be possibly achieved by biasing the tool actuator surface 30 in a cutting direction DC (
The cutting direction DC can be defined as extending from the tool inner region 20 towards the tool peripheral region 22. More precisely, a cutting insert is normally mounted at a peripheral part of a tool, and normally protrudes from the tool to ensure that only the cutting insert, and not the tool contacts a workpiece (not shown). Therefore, such tool peripheral region 22 can be considered as comprising a peripheral edge 48 (
It is noted that the cutting insert 14 and/or the tool 12 can be configured so that the only surfaces of the tool 12 which contact a periphery of the cutting insert 14 are the tool actuator surface 30 and the first and second tool abutment surfaces 26A, 26B. Stated differently, surfaces of the tool which extend upwardly from the tool 12, or, surfaces adjacent the insert peripheral surface 36, such as tool wall surfaces 52A, 52B (
Further, more specific exemplary features will now be described.
The cutting edge 38 in this example here extends along the entire intersection of the insert top surface 32 and insert peripheral surface 36. However, in the mounted position shown in
The insert top surface 32, at least a portion thereof adjacent to the active first cutting end 46, can be configured as a rake surface over which chips (not shown) pass, and at least a portion of the insert peripheral surface 36 adjacent thereto can be configured as a relief surface.
Drawing attention to
It will be understood that the insert actuator surface 44 and/or tool actuator surface 30 can be more suitable for stable engagement if at least one, and preferably both, of the two has a blunt shape.
At least when viewing
The insert actuator plane PIA can be oriented transverse to the insert base surface 34, that the insert actuator surface can extend in a direction away from the insert top surface 32, and that the insert actuator surface can follow a straight line.
When the clamp 28 is mounted to the tool 12, the tool actuator surface 30 can extend perpendicular to the tool base surface 18.
The first and second insert abutment surfaces 42A, 42B and the insert actuator surface 44 constitute a first set of engagement surfaces which are associated with the first cutting end 46.
Referring to
It has been found that when using a blunt actuator surface (i.e. the insert actuator surface 44 and/or the tool actuator surface 30), there can be an advantageous effect of achieving a consistent or controlled force application direction. In other words, a cutting insert can be directed in a precise direction to best achieve a precise, stable mounting arrangement. It will be understood that an actuator surface which is not blunt (i.e. having a small radius of curvature, such as shown by the imaginary line designated by the numeral 60 in
Notably, the example shown in
To elaborate, a blunt actuator surface, in this example being the insert actuator surface 44, can be more precisely defined as having a curvature which does not extend along, or is free of, portions which are tangential to the additional first and second insert abutment surfaces 42A′, 42B′ (or other surfaces connected to the insert actuator surface 44).
Referring only to
While not shown, it will be understood that an actuator surface may still be considered blunt in a case where there is a mere intermediary change of radius at the end points 58A, 58B. This is because the purpose of the bluntness is most relevant at the outermost point 44A, or contact point, or, least a central portion of the actuator surface 44, which is configured to engage another associated actuator surface.
Referring to
As best shown in
Referring now to
The exemplary cutting insert 14 shown is indexable, and can have 180° rotational symmetry around an insert central axis AIC (
As shown, the surfaces 42A, 42B, 44, 42A′, 42B′, 44′ of the first and second insert anti-slip arrangements 40, 40′ form all sides of or enclose the single protuberance 70. Thus, the single protuberance 70 of the non-limiting example cutting insert 14 shown, can be considered to have two sets of engagement surfaces, a first set including surfaces 42A, 42B and 44 and a second set including surfaces 42A′, 42B′ and 44′.
Referring now to the surfaces of the tool anti-slip arrangement 24, as shown in
Additionally, the first and second tool abutment surfaces 26A, 26B and the tool actuator surface 30 can face inwardly (i.e., toward the center of the insert seating region 16, as exemplified by inwardly directed arrows designated 72A, 72B and 72C).
The first and second tool abutment surfaces 26A, 26B and the tool actuator surface 30 can be recessed into the insert seating region 16. Stated differently, the first and second tool abutment surfaces 26A, 26B and the tool actuator surface 30 can be side surfaces of a recess 74 formed in the insert seating region 16.
While the exemplary tool actuator surface 30 and the first and second tool abutment surfaces 26A, 26B shown are perpendicular to the tool base surface 18, they could also be at least partially slanted in a upward-inward direction (for example, as shown in
Referring to
The construction above can also be possible for the tool anti-slip arrangement 24, mutatis mutandis (For example see
Referring to
It will be understood that any of the above features, e.g. a continuous insert base surface 34, a base surface which extends along a periphery of a cutting insert, a flat base surface, etc., can provide stable mounting of a cutting insert on a tool.
Any of the above constructional features can also be possible for the tool base surface 18, mutatis mutandis. However, the tool base surface can, for example, extend along the entire insert peripheral surface except for a portion completed by the clamp 28.
Referring to
Such enlargement can be achieved by widening the first portion 80. For example, a first tool base width WT1 of the first portion 80 of the tool base surface 18 which extends from, and perpendicular to, the first tool abutment surface 26A, can be greater than a second tool base width WT2 which extends from, and perpendicular to, the second tool abutment surface 26B.
The insert base surface 34 can be configured to correspond to the tool base surface 18. For example, referring to
While it will be understood that a cutting insert can be clamped to a tool in various ways, the following is an exemplary clamping arrangement.
The tool and insert base surfaces 18, 34 can be clamped against each other by a biasing arrangement 84 (
The biasing arrangement 84 can comprise a biasing arrangement screw 86 configured to extend through a through hole 88 of the cutting insert 14, and a threaded bore 90 formed in the tool 12 to which the biasing arrangement screw 86 is securable.
Drawing attention to
More precisely, the clamp 28 can comprise a slanted clamp surface 92 located between the tool actuator surface 30 and the clamp bore which is comprised to be abutted by the clamp screw 97.
While a clamp could conceivably comprise a bendable portion which could cause a change of position, or orientation, of a tool actuator surface, the non-limiting example shown is one where the entire clamp 28 is movable upon engagement by the clamp screw 97.
It will be understood that the biasing arrangement 84, or a different arrangement, can be configured to allow slippage of the cutting insert 14 along the tool base surface 18, as the biasing arrangement screw 86 will normally allow limited slippage along the base plane PB.
Consequently, clamping of the cutting insert 14 to the tool 12 can comprise sliding motion of the cutting insert's insert base surface 34 along the tool base surface 18.
It has been found that wedging at least a portion of a clamp between an insert and a tool wall can provide a stable clamping arrangement.
For example, referring to
As shown best in
An internal direction angle AD formed between the cutting direction DC and the motion direction DM can be an acute angle. Preferably, the direction angle AD can be between 30° and 80°.
Referring to
The description above includes one or more exemplary embodiments and details for enablement, if needed, of claimed subject matter, and does not exclude non-exemplified embodiments and details from the claim scope of the present application.
Claims
1. A cutting insert comprising opposing insert top and base surfaces which are connected by an insert peripheral surface, at least one cutting edge, and an insert anti-slip arrangement formed adjacent to the insert base surface;
- the insert anti-slip arrangement comprising first and second insert abutment surfaces which are non-parallel to each other and to the insert base surface, and an insert actuator surface having a blunt shape and lying in an insert actuator surface plane which is oriented transverse to the insert base surface;
- wherein pairs of closest points of the first and second insert abutment surfaces lie within respective common insert abutment surface planes which are parallel to the insert actuator surface plane, are a predetermined distance apart; and
- at least one of the predetermined distances has a greater magnitude than another predetermined distance which is associated with a pair of points further spaced from the insert actuator surface plane.
2. The cutting insert according to claim 1, wherein, in a bottom view of the cutting insert, each of the first and second insert abutment surfaces and the insert actuator surface face outward from the insert.
3. The cutting insert according to claim 1, wherein each pair of points of the first and second insert abutment surfaces which are closer to the insert actuator surface plane than another pair of points, have a predetermined distance of greater magnitude than the latter pair of points.
4. The cutting insert according to claim 1, wherein, in a bottom view of the cutting insert, the first and second insert abutment surfaces extend at an acute angle to each other.
5. The cutting insert according to claim 1, wherein the first and second insert abutment surfaces and the insert actuator surface extend in a direction away from the insert top surface.
6. The cutting insert according to claim 1, wherein the insert actuator surface and/or the first and second insert abutment surfaces of the cutting insert are perpendicular to the insert base surface or are at least partially slanted in a downward-outward direction.
7. The cutting insert according to claim 1, wherein the insert actuator surface and the first and second insert abutment surfaces are formed on a single protuberance.
8. The cutting insert according to claim 1, wherein the insert actuator surface has a curvature which is only apparent in a magnified view
9. The cutting insert according to claim 1, further comprising an insert cutting plane which extends perpendicular to the insert base surface and an insert longitudinal plane, the insert longitudinal plane extending longitudinally through the cutting insert and perpendicular to the insert base surface; wherein, in a bottom view of the cutting insert, the insert cutting plane theoretically divides the cutting insert into imaginary first and second insert halves; wherein, in a bottom view of the cutting insert, the first and second insert abutment surfaces are at least partially located at the first insert half and the insert actuator surface is located at the second insert half.
10. The cutting insert according to claim 1, wherein, in a bottom view of the cutting insert, the insert anti-slip arrangement is asymmetric about an insert longitudinal plane.
11. The cutting insert according to claim 1, wherein the insert base surface extends along the entire insert peripheral surface.
12. The cutting insert according to claim 1, wherein a first insert base width of the insert base surface which extends from, and perpendicular to, the first insert abutment surface, can be greater than a second insert base width which extends from, and perpendicular to, the second insert abutment surface.
13. The cutting insert according to claim 1, further comprising an additional insert anti-slip arrangement.
14. A tool having a cutting direction and comprising: an insert seating region comprising a tool base surface, tool inner and peripheral regions located on opposing sides of the insert seating region, the cutting direction being defined as extending from the tool inner region towards the tool peripheral region, and a tool anti-slip arrangement;
- the tool anti-slip arrangement comprising first and second tool abutment surfaces formed adjacent to the tool base surface and being non-parallel to each other and to the tool base surface, and a clamp located at the tool inner region and comprising a tool actuator surface lying in a tool actuator surface plane which is oriented transverse to the tool base surface;
- wherein pairs of closest points of the first and second tool abutment surfaces lie within respective common tool abutment surface planes which are parallel to the tool actuator surface plane, are a predetermined distance apart;
- at least one of the predetermined distances has a greater magnitude than another predetermined distance which is associated with a pair of points further spaced from the tool actuator surface plane; and
- the clamp is configured for force application in the cutting direction via the tool actuator surface.
15. The tool according to claim 14, wherein the tool actuator surface has a blunt shape.
16. The tool according to claim 14, wherein the force application is in a direction parallel to the tool base surface.
17. The tool according to claim 14, wherein the clamp and/or tool is configured for linear motion of the clamp.
18. The tool according to claim 17, wherein the linear motion of the clamp is in a direction transverse to the cutting direction.
19. The tool according to claim 14, wherein the tool is formed with a track which is bounded by an inner wall of the tool, the track and clamp being configured for continuous contact of the inner wall and clamp at each position thereof.
20. The tool according to claim 14, wherein each pairs of points of the first and second tool abutment surfaces which are closer to the tool actuator surface plane than another pair of points of the first and second tool abutment surfaces, have a predetermined distance of greater magnitude than the latter pair of points.
21. The tool according to claim 14, wherein the first and second tool abutment surfaces and the tool actuator surface are recessed into the insert seating region.
22. The tool according to claim 14, wherein the first and second tool abutment surfaces are formed in a single tool recess.
23. The tool according to claim 14, wherein a first tool base width of the tool base surface which extends from, and perpendicular to, the first tool abutment surface, can be greater than a second tool base width which extends from, and perpendicular to, the second tool abutment surface.
24. A tool assembly comprising in combination a tool configured for cutting in a cutting direction and a cutting insert mounted to the tool: the tool comprising an insert seating region comprising a tool base surface, tool inner and peripheral regions located on opposing sides of the insert seating region, the cutting direction being defined as extending from the tool inner region towards the tool peripheral region, and a tool anti-slip arrangement;
- the tool anti-slip arrangement comprising first and second tool abutment surfaces formed adjacent to the tool base surface and being non-parallel to each other and to the tool base surface, and a clamp located at the tool inner region and comprising a tool actuator surface which is oriented transverse to the insert base surface;
- the cutting insert comprising opposing insert top and base surfaces which are connected by an insert peripheral surface, at least one cutting edge, and an insert anti-slip arrangement formed adjacent to the insert base surface
- the insert anti-slip arrangement comprising first and second insert abutment surfaces which are non-parallel to each other and to the insert base surface, and an insert actuator surface which is oriented transverse to the insert base surface;
- wherein: the cutting insert and the tool are configured for a position in which the insert base surface contacts the tool base surface; and
- the clamp is configured to bias the tool actuator surface against the insert actuator surface which consequently biases the first and second insert abutment surfaces against the first and second tool abutment surfaces for preventing slippage of the cutting insert along the tool base surface.
25. The tool assembly according to claim 24, wherein the tool anti-slip arrangement and the insert anti-slip arrangement are configured to prevent motion of the cutting insert in a plane parallel with the tool base surface.
26. The tool assembly according to claim 24, wherein the tool further comprises a biasing arrangement configured to bias the insert base surface against the tool base surface and the biasing arrangement is configured to allow slippage of the cutting insert along the tool base surface.
27. The tool assembly according claim 24, wherein the only surfaces of the tool which contact a periphery of the cutting insert are the tool actuator surface and the first and second tool abutment surfaces.
28. The tool assembly according to claim 24, wherein the only surfaces of the tool which contact the cutting insert are the tool actuator surface, the tool base surface and the first and second tool abutment surfaces.
29. The tool assembly according to claim 24, wherein: pairs of closest points of the first and second tool abutment surfaces lie within respective common tool abutment surface planes which are parallel to a tool actuator surface plane, are a predetermined distance apart; at least one of the predetermined distances has a greater magnitude than another predetermined distance which is associated with a pair of points further spaced from the tool actuator surface plane; and pairs of closest points of the first and second insert abutment surfaces lie within respective common insert abutment surface planes which are parallel to an insert actuator surface plane, are a predetermined distance apart; and at least one of the predetermined distances has a greater magnitude than another predetermined distance which is associated with a pair of points further spaced from the insert actuator surface plane.
30. The tool assembly according to claim 24, wherein the tool actuator surface and the insert actuator surface are both blunt.
31. The tool assembly according to claim 30, wherein one of the tool actuator surface and the insert actuator surfaces is flat, and the other is curved.
32. A method of clamping a cutting insert to a tool: the tool comprising an insert seating region comprising a tool base surface, tool inner and peripheral regions located on opposing sides of the insert seating region, and a tool anti-slip arrangement; the tool anti-slip arrangement comprising first and second tool abutment surfaces formed adjacent to the tool base surface and being non-parallel to each other and to the tool base surface, and a clamp located at the tool inner region and comprising a tool actuator surface which is oriented transverse to the tool base surface; the cutting insert comprising opposing insert top and base surfaces which are connected by an insert peripheral surface, at least one cutting edge, and an insert anti-slip arrangement formed adjacent to the insert base surface; the insert anti-slip arrangement comprising first and second insert abutment surfaces which are non-parallel to each other and to the insert base surface, and an insert actuator surface which is oriented transverse to the insert base surface; wherein the method comprises:
- a. mounting the cutting insert on the tool in a position in which the insert base surface contacts the tool base surface; and
- b. biasing the clamp's tool actuator surface against the insert actuator surface, thereby biasing the first and second insert abutment surfaces respectively against the first and second tool abutment surfaces for preventing slippage of the cutting insert along the tool base surface.
33. The method of clamping according to claim 32, wherein said biasing is in a cutting direction defined as extending from the tool inner region towards the tool peripheral region.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 6, 2012
Publication Date: Dec 12, 2013
Applicant: Iscar, Ltd. (Tefen)
Inventor: Gil HECHT (Nahariya)
Application Number: 13/490,197
International Classification: B23P 15/28 (20060101);