Method for determining a depth of cut of a tool and tool for machining a workpiece

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining a depth of cut of a tool (3), comprising a) arranging the tool (3) and a depth determining device (5) on a depth setting device (45) such that o the mounting device (13) of the depth determining device (5) is at least partially located around a clamping area (15) of a shaft (10) of the tool (3) such that the depth determining device (5) is free to move in axial direction relative to the tool (3), and o a stop surface (17) of the depth determining device (5) abuts against a contact surface (47) of the depth setting device (45) and a cutting edge (19) of the tool (3) abuts against a limit stop (49) of the depth setting device (45); b0) applying a predetermined compression force in axial direction to the depth determining device (5) such that at least a portion of the depth determining device (5) is elastically compressed against the contact surface (47) by a compression amount, obtaining a compressed state of the depth determining device (5); b) fixing the mounting device (13) to the clamping area (15) of the shaft (10) in the compressed state of the depth determining device (5) such that the mounting device (13) is firmly mounted to the clamping area (15) of the shaft (10), thereby forming a tool assembly (1); c0) releasing the compression force from the depth determining device (5), and c) removing the tool assembly (1) from the depth setting device (45).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for determining a working depth of a tool, a tool for machining a workpiece, a depth determining device, a tool assembly and a method for using such a tool assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] A corresponding tool assembly is known, for example, from EP 3 033 194 B1. Such a tool assembly is used, inter alia, with a handheld tool driver in order to manually perform specific operations in the region of a hole, in particular at a skin of an aircraft component, for example, a chamfering, countersinking, dimpling or deburring operation. Such operations are carried out in order to remove paint from the surface of the corresponding aircraft component, so that fasteners like bolts or screws can contact the metal structure below the paint and thus be electrically grounded. This type of operation must be done in a repeatable manner and with an axial accuracy of approximately 10 pm to 20 pm, regardless of the person actually performing the operation. Therefore, the tool assembly has a depth determining device for objectively determining the cutting depth of the tool by providing a stop surface which acts as a limit stop in a well-defined axial position relative to the cutting edge of the tool. The tool assembly known from EP 3 033 194 B1 has a relatively complex structure and is therefore expensive. Furthermore, a tedious and delicate method is required to determine the working depth of the tool, i.e. to set the relative axial position of the stop surface relative to the cutting edge.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for determining a working depth of a tool, a tool for machining a workpiece, a depth determining device, a tool assembly and a method for using such a tool assembly, which is relatively inexpensive and easy to operate, in particular when the tool needs to be replaced, for example due to wear of the cutting edge.

[0004] This object is achieved by providing the present technical teaching and the preferred embodiments disclosed in the specification. SUMMARY

[0005] This object is achieved, inter alia, by providing a method of determining the working depth of a tool, the method comprising a) arranging the tool and the depth determining device on the depth setting device in such a way that the mounting device of the depth determining device is at least partially located around the clamping region of the shaft of the tool, so that the depth determining device is free to move in axial direction relative to the tool, and the stop surface of the depth determining device abuts against the contact surface of the depth setting device, and the cutting edge of the tool abuts against the limit stop of the depth setting device; b) fixing the mounting device to the clamping region of the shaft, so that the mounting device is firmly mounted to the clamping region of the shaft, thereby forming a tool assembly; and c) removing the tool assembly from the depth setting device. Thus, the maximum working depth, i.e. the maximum cutting depth, of the tool is conveniently determined by the axial distance between the contact surface and the limit stop, since this axial distance determines the axial distance between the stop surface and the cutting edge. The depth setting device serves as a measuring instrument for setting the cutting depth of the tool. By using a relatively simple depth setting device with a contact surface and a limit stop, the cutting depth of the tool assembly can be set in an easier, faster and cheaper way than with known tool assemblies and corresponding methods. Furthermore, since the cutting depth is precisely and reliably determined by the depth setting device, the depth determining device itself does not need to have any adjustment means for adjusting the axial distance between the stop surface and the cutting edge. Thus, the depth determining device and the tool assembly can be simple and inexpensive in structure and construction.

[0006] Preferably, the mounting device is fixed to the clamping region of the shaft in step b), so that the mounting device is firmly attached to the clamping region of the shaft, to prevent any further axial movement of the depth determining device relative to the tool. However, some components of the depth determining device can preferably be free to move axially relative to the tool between a distal stop, which is preferably provided by the tool head of the tool, in particular the shoulder of the tool head, or some holding means of a holding ring, for example, and a proximal stop, which is provided by the depth determining device, as long as the tool is not engaged with a workpiece. When the tool is engaged with a workpiece, the mounting device obstructs further relative axial movement of these components in proximal direction, i.e. beyond the position of the mounting device in direction away from the workpiece. The distal stop preferably prevents these components from falling off the tool.

[0007] The depth setting device has a contact surface, which is preferably adapted so that the stop surface of the depth determining device can abut against the contact surface, and a limit stop, which is adapted so that the cutting edge of the tool can abut against the limit stop.

[0008] The shape of the limit stop is preferably complementary to an imaginary surface obtained by rotating the cutting edge around the tool axis.

[0009] The tool axis is in particular a longitudinal axis, a symmetry axis or a rotation axis of the tool. The axial direction is preferably a direction parallel or coinciding with the tool axis. The circumferential direction is a direction including the tool axis, i.e. circumferential with respect to the tool axis. The radial direction is orthogonal to the tool axis.

[0010] The working depth or the cutting depth has a positive sign when the cutting edge is offset from the stop surface in a direction away from the axis and towards the imaginary workpiece to be machined in the future. In this case, the cutting edge will cut into the machined surface of the workpiece until the stop surface will rest or press against the machined surface. Thus, in order to set a positive working depth, the limit stop is offset in a direction away from the axis with respect to the contact surface. However, the working depth or the cutting depth can also have a negative sign when the cutting edge is offset from the stop surface in a direction towards the axis and away from the imaginary workpiece. In this case, the cutting edge will cut above the workpiece surface until the stop surface will rest or press against the position on the workpiece surface, in particular for deburring. Thus, in order to set a negative working depth, the limit stop is offset in a direction towards the axis with respect to the contact surface.

[0011] In particular, before fixing the mounting device in step b), in a step b0) a predetermined compression force in the axial direction is applied to the depth determination device such that at least a portion of the depth determination device is elastically compressed against the contact surface by a certain compression amount. Then, before removing the tool assembly from the depth setting device in step c), in a step c0) the compression force is released from the depth determination device. In this way, the cutting depth can be changed from the maximum cutting depth to another value determined by the compression force, such that different cutting depths can be selected in a simple, inexpensive, reliable and repeatable manner.

[0012] In particular, the basic function of the method is as follows: Before the compression force in step bO) is applied, the cutting edge rests against the limit stop and the stop surface rests against the contact surface, but the mounting device can be axially moved freely relative to the tool shaft. When the compression force is applied in step bO), the depth determining device is partially compressed and the mounting device is axially displaced relative to the tool shaft, wherein the actual displacement depends on the compression force. In the compressed state, while the compression force is still applied, the mounting device is then firmly fixed to the clamping region of the tool shaft in step b) and only thereafter the compression force is released in step cO). While the depth determining device is elastically relaxed from the compressed state by the amount of compression, the tool firmly coupled to the mounting device is lifted by the same amount of compression and the cutting edge is withdrawn from the limit stop, wherein the final distance of the cutting edge from the limit stop is also defined by the amount of compression. At the same time, the stop surface is still resting on the contact surface. Thus, the axial position of the cutting edge relative to the stop surface is changed depending on the applied compression force. This means that by applying a defined, predetermined compression force in step bO), the cutting depth of the tool assembly is set in a reliable and easy manner. In particular, in this way, the working depth of the cutting depth is reduced relative to the maximum cutting depth, regardless of whether the cutting depth is positive or negative, since by first compressing the depth determining device, then fixing the mounting device and thereafter releasing the compression force, the cutting edge is moved in the direction of the shaft relative to the stop surface. Thus, the value of the cutting depth, which is initially defined by the distance of the contact surface and the limit stop, will become smaller; in particular, the amount of this value will decrease when the sign is positive, while the amount of this value will increase when the sign is negative.

[0013] In particular, the amount of compression by which the depth determining device is elastically compressed depends on or is determined by the predetermined compression force.

[0014] Preferably, the elasticity of the depth determining device is higher than the elasticity of the depth setting device, or, in other words, the depth setting device is more rigid than the depth determining device at least in the region of the contact surface. Most preferably, only the depth determining device is compressed when the compression force is applied and the depth setting device - in the region of the contact surface - is not compressed. Preferably, the depth setting device - at least in the region of the contact surface - is made of steel and the depth determining device is made of aluminum.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the compression amount by which the depth determining device shall be elastically compressed is defined prior to step bO) and the compression force is set as a function of the defined compression amount. In particular, since the compression amount defines the change of the working depth and can even be identical to the working depth, the working depth is first defined and then the compression amount is defined depending on the working depth. In particular, the compression force is calculated as a function of the defined compression amount. Preferably, the compression force is a linear function of the compression amount or vice versa, the compression amount is a linear function of the compression force. Alternatively, the compression force is obtained from a data set or a lookup table depending on the defined compression amount. In particular, the data set or the lookup table comprises values for the compression force assigned to corresponding values for the compression amount.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the contact surface is integrally provided by the depth setting device. Thus, the contact surface is provided in the simplest and most unambiguous manner at the depth setting device.

[0017] Alternatively, the contact surface is provided by a contact distance element arranged on the depth setting device. Then, preferably, the contact distance element, in particular the height of the contact distance element, defines the maximum cutting depth and thus the maximum working depth of the tool. Different maximum working depths can be defined simply by selecting different contact distance elements, in particular contact distance elements having different heights. Thus, the working depth can be adjusted in a simple and cost-effective manner only by changing the contact distance element without the need to use different depth setting devices and, further, the working depth can even be adjusted without applying a compression force. In particular, by arranging the contact distance element, a positive working depth can be defined.

[0018] Preferably, the contact distance element is a distance ring, most preferably a precision foil. Preferably, the contact distance element comprises or is made of steel, most preferably the contact distance element consists of steel. Preferably, the contact distance element has a height of 0.1 millimeters.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the limit stop is integrally provided by the depth setting device, in particular by a depth setting recess (for a positive cutting depth) or by a depth setting protrusion (for a negative cutting depth). In this way, the limit stop is provided in the simplest and most unambiguous manner at the depth setting device. In particular, preferably, the depth of the depth setting recess or the height of the depth setting protrusion defines the maximum cutting depth and thus the maximum working depth of the tool.

[0020] Optionally, the limit stop is provided by a stop distance element arranged on the depth setting device. Then, preferably, the stop distance element, in particular the height of the stop distance element, defines the maximum cutting depth for the tool, thereby defining the maximum working depth. Different maximum working depths can be simply defined by selecting different stop distance elements, in particular stop distance elements having different heights. Thus, the working depth can be adjusted in a simple and cost-effective manner by merely changing the stop distance element, without the need to use different depth setting devices, and further, the working depth even without exerting a compression force has to be adjusted. In particular, by arranging the stop distance element, a negative working depth can be defined.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the compression force is exerted by a pressure screw, or pneumatically or hydraulically. In this way, the compression force can be exerted in a simple, reliable, repeatable and cost-effective manner.

[0022] Optionally, or additionally, the compression force is preferably exerted to the mounting device, in particular as part of the depth determining device. Optionally, the compression force is exerted to another part of the depth determining device, preferably to the cutting holder thereof. Exerting the compression force to the mounting device reliably ensures that the mounting device moves relative to the tool axis, in particular by the compression amount, when the compression force is exerted. However, the mounting device can also move relative to the tool axis when the compression force is exerted to another part of the depth determining device, for example, because the mounting device is effectively coupled to this other part and moves accordingly with this other part, or the mounting device is pressed downward by gravity onto this other part.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, a drilling tool, a milling tool, a chamfering tool, a counterboring tool, a counter sinking tool or a deburring tool is used as the tool. The advantages explained above are achieved in particular with such tools.

[0024] The object is also achieved by providing a tool for machining a workpiece, wherein preferably the tool is adapted for use in a method according to the present application, or in a method according to at least one of the preferred embodiments as described above. The tool comprises a tool head having at least one cutting edge. The tool further comprises a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a clamping region having a friction-enhancing surface. With regard to the tool, preferably the same advantages are achieved as explained above with regard to the method of determining the working depth.

[0025] The clamping region having a friction-enhancing surface means in particular that the friction in the clamping region, in particular at the friction-enhancing surface, is higher than the friction in other surface regions of the shaft, which are not part of the friction-enhancing surface, in particular not part of the clamping region.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the friction enhancing surface comprises a plurality of recesses or knurling surfaces. The recesses or knurling surfaces are preferably milled or ground into the clamping region. Milling and grinding are the most optimal methods to produce a friction enhancing surface in a relatively hard material, such as cemented carbide, polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or high-speed steel (HSS). The tool preferably comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cemented carbide, polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and high-speed steel. Preferably, the tool consists of or is made of a material selected from this group of materials.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of recesses comprises a plurality of circumferential grooves. The grooves preferably have a zigzag profile. In particular, the plurality of recesses is a plurality of circumferential grooves, in particular having a zigzag profile. A plurality of circumferential grooves as a plurality of recesses is both simple and cost-effective and highly easy to enhance the friction in the clamping region.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the tool head comprises an insertion pin for guiding the tool in a recess of a workpiece to be machined by the tool. The insertion pin is preferably made of plastic, in particular PEEK, or a composite material. Preferably, the insertion pin is attached to the tool head. In this way, the tool can be precisely guided by the insertion pin, which itself is light in weight, has a soft surface so as not to damage the surface of the hole machined with the tool, and is inexpensive in production.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the tool is selected from the group consisting of a drilling tool, a milling tool, a chamfering tool, a counterboring tool, a swaging tool and a deburring tool. The advantages explained above are achieved in particular with such tools.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the tool is adapted to cooperate with a depth determination device according to the invention, or with a depth determination device according to at least one of the preferred embodiments described below.

[0031] The object is also achieved by providing a depth determination device, wherein the depth determination device comprises a cutting frame which is adapted to at least partially enclose a tool head of a tool, in particular according to the invention or according to at least one of the embodiments disclosed above. The depth determination device further comprises a circumferential bearing device which is at least partially arranged in the cutting frame. The circumferential bearing device is adapted to allow a relative rotational movement between the cutting frame and the tool. The depth determination device further comprises a mounting device which is adapted to be firmly mounted to the tool in a clamping region of the tool. The cutting frame has a stop surface which is adapted to determine a cutting depth, i.e. a working depth, of the tool when the depth determination device is attached to the tool. The same advantages as explained above with regard to the method and the tool are preferably achieved with regard to the depth determination device.

[0032] In particular, the cutting holder encloses the tool head in the circumferential direction and preferably at least partially in the axial direction.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the depth determination device further comprises an axial bearing device which is arranged between the cutting holder and the mounting device. The axial bearing device is adapted to allow a relative rotational movement between the cutting holder and the mounting device. In this way, wear due to a relative rotation between the cutting holder and the mounting device can be most effectively and conveniently reduced.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the circumferential bearing device is a plain bearing, in particular a bearing sleeve, preferably made of copper or a composite material. In this case, the circumferential bearing device can have a simple structure and is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0035] Alternatively, or additionally, the axial bearing device is a roller bearing, in particular an axial ball bearing. In this case, the axial bearing device is particularly reliable and has a long service life and low maintenance due to minimal friction. Alternatively, the axial bearing device is a plain bearing, in particular a bearing ring, preferably a copper ring or a composite ring.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the mounting device comprises a clamping ring. This is in particular a simple, inexpensive and highly reliable embodiment of the mounting device.

[0037] Preferably, the clamping ring has two ring ends which are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction by a circumferential gap, wherein a first ring end of the two ring ends has a through-hole and a second ring end of the two ring ends has a thread, such that a clamping screw can pass through the through-hole to and engage the thread for bringing the ring ends closer together when the clamping screw is tightened, thereby closing the circumferential gap. Preferably, the mounting device comprises the clamping ring and a screw which passes through the through-hole to and engages the thread.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the depth determination device does not have an adjustment device for adjusting the axial distance between the stop surface and the cutting edge of the tool. Rather, in order to define the working depth, the depth determination device only comprises the mounting device as a fixing device, in particular a clamping device. The depth determination device does not need to have an adjustment device, since the working depth or cutting depth of the tool is preferably set in accordance with the method according to the invention or at least one embodiment of the method as disclosed above. Thus, the depth determination device can have a simple structure and can be easily and inexpensively produced.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the cutting holder has a plurality of radial chip openings. When machining a surface of a workpiece with the tool, the chips generated by the tool can be conveyed away from the actual working position in the radial direction through the chip openings.

[0040] The object is also achieved by providing a tool assembly, wherein the tool assembly comprises a depth determination device according to the present application or according to at least one of the embodiments as disclosed above and a tool, in particular a tool according to the present application or according to at least one of the embodiments as disclosed above. The mounting device is fixedly secured to the clamping region of the tool. With regard to the tool assembly, the same advantages are achieved as explained above with regard to the method, the tool and the depth determination device.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the tool assembly is adapted for coupling to a hand-held tool driver, in particular a pneumatic gun drill. The advantages as explained above are achieved in particular in connection with the hand-held tool driver.

[0042] The object is also achieved by providing a method for using a tool assembly according to the present application or according to at least one of the embodiments as disclosed above, wherein the tool assembly is used for machining a surface of an aircraft. The advantages as explained above are achieved in particular when the tool assembly is used for machining a surface of an aircraft.

[0043] According to another aspect of the present application, a depth setting device is provided, the depth setting device having a contact surface adapted such that the stop surface of the depth determination device can abut against the contact surface, the depth setting device further comprising a limit stop adapted such that the cutting edge of the tool can abut against the limit stop. The contact surface and the limit stop are arranged relative to each other such that a maximum working depth of the tool is defined. With regard to the depth setting device, the same advantages are achieved as explained above with regard to the method, the tool, the depth determination device and the tool assembly.

[0044] Preferably, the depth setting device has a pressure device adapted to apply a predetermined pressure to the depth determination device, the stop surface of the depth determination device resting on the contact surface.

[0045] Preferably, the depth setting device has a control device adapted to determine the predetermined pressure as a function of a preset working depth. The control device can have an input device, such as a keyboard, a voice recognition system, a touchpad or other input sensitive surface or a control panel, such that the current working depth can be input by a worker. Preferably, the control device is adapted to calculate the predetermined pressure as a function of the preset working depth. In an alternative, the control device can be adapted to select the predetermined pressure from a data set or a look-up table as a function of the preset working depth. Preferably, the control device is connected to the pressure device in order to cause the pressure device to apply the predetermined pressure.

[0046] The depth setting device preferably comprises at least one feature which is implicitly disclosed above with regard to the method.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the contact surface is integrally provided by the depth setting device. Thus, the contact surface is provided at the depth setting device in the simplest and most unambiguous manner.

[0048] Optionally, the contact surface is provided by a contact distance element provided on the depth setting device. In particular, by providing the contact distance element, a positive working depth can be defined. Preferably, the contact distance element is a distance ring, most preferably a precision foil. Preferably, the contact distance element comprises or consists of steel. Preferably, the contact distance element has a height of 0.1 mm.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the limit stop is integrally provided by the depth setting device, in particular by a depth setting recess (for a positive cutting depth) or by a depth setting protrusion (for a negative cutting depth). In this way, the limit stop is provided at the depth setting device in the simplest and most unambiguous manner. In particular, preferably, the depth of the depth setting recess or the height of the depth setting protrusion defines the maximum cutting depth, and thus the maximum working depth of the tool.

[0050] Optionally, the limit stop is provided by a stop distance element provided on the depth setting device. In particular, by providing the stop distance element, a negative working depth can be defined.

[0051] The limit stop preferably has a shape complementary to an imaginary surface obtained by rotating the cutting edge of the tool to be used about the tool axis relative to the depth setting device.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure device comprises a pressure screw, or is embodied as a pneumatic or hydraulic pressure device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0053] The application will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings

[0054] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a tool assembly with a depth determination device and a tool is shown;

[0055] Figure 2 An exploded view of the first embodiment of the depth determination device is shown;

[0056] Figure 3 A tool according to the first embodiment of the tool assembly according to Figure 1 is shown;

[0057] Figure 4 A second embodiment of the tool assembly is shown;

[0058] Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a method for determining the working depth of a tool using a first embodiment of a depth setting device;

[0059] Figure 6 A second embodiment of a depth setting device is shown;

[0060] Figure 7 A third embodiment of a depth setting device is shown, and

[0061] Figure 8 A fourth embodiment of a depth setting device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a tool assembly 1 comprising a tool 3 and a depth determination device 5 is shown. The depth determination device 5 has a cutting cage 7 which is adapted to at least partially enclose a tool head 9 (as shown), in particular in circumferential and axial directions. The axial direction is the direction defined by an axis A which is a longitudinal axis of both the tool 3 and the tool assembly 1. Furthermore, the axis A is the axis of relative rotation between the tool 3 and a workpiece when the tool 3 is used for machining the workpiece. The circumferential direction encircles the axis A coaxially. The radial direction is orthogonal to the axis A. Figure 3

[0063] The tool assembly 1, in particular the shaft 10 of the tool 3, is preferably adapted to be coupled to a handheld tool driver, in particular a pneumatic gun drill. Preferably, the tool assembly 1 is used for machining a surface of an aircraft.

[0064] The tool head 9 preferably comprises an insertion pin 12 which is adapted to guide the tool 3 in a recess or a hole of a workpiece to be machined by the tool 3.

[0065] The depth determination device 5 comprises a circumferential bearing device 11 which is at least partially arranged in the cutting cage 7 and which is adapted to allow a relative rotational movement between the cutting cage 7 and the tool 3. Furthermore, the depth determination device 5 comprises a mounting device 13 which is adapted to be firmly mounted to the tool 3 in a clamping region 15 on the tool 3. In the state shown, the mounting device 13 is firmly mounted on the clamping region 15 of the tool 3. Figure 1

[0066] The cutting cage 7 has a stop surface 17 which is adapted to determine the cutting depth of the tool 3 when the depth determination device 5 is attached to the tool 3. By mounting the mounting device 13 on the tool 3 in a defined axial position, the cutting depth of the tool 3 is determined. By mounting the mounting device 13 on the tool 3 in a defined axial position, the cutting depth of the tool 3 is determined. Figure 3 ​​As shown, the well-defined axial position relative to the cutting edge 19 of the tool 3 is defined by the stop surface 17, and thus the axial distance between the stop surface 17 and the cutting edge 19 defines the depth of cut, and thus the machining depth into or above the surface of the workpiece machined by the tool 3 that the cutting edge 19 can cut into. Thus, to define the working depth, the relative axial position of the mounting device 13 and the tool 3 should be defined.

[0067] Even in certain embodiments, it remains true that the cutting holder 7 can be allowed to move axially freely between the distal stop 20 (see Figure 3 ) and the proximal stop provided by the mounting device 13, as long as the tool 3 is not engaged with the workpiece. When the tool 3 is engaged with the workpiece and reaches the final working depth, the mounting device 13 effectively limits any further proximal movement of the cutting holder 7 - and thus of the stop surface 17 - beyond the position defined by the mounting device 13.

[0068] The present invention in particular allows for a simple, cost-effective, reliable and repeatable setting of the working depth.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the depth determination device 5 preferably further comprises an axial bearing device 21 arranged between the cutting holder 7 and the mounting device 13 and adapted to allow relative rotational movement between the cutting holder 7 and the mounting device 13.

[0070] Figure 2 An exploded view of the first embodiment of the depth determination device 5 according to Figure 1 is shown. In all figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference signs, such that in each case reference is made to the preceding explanations.

[0071] At a), the mounting device 13 is shown in a partially sectioned top view from which it is clear that, preferably, the mounting device 13 comprises a clamping ring 23 and a clamping screw 25. The clamping ring 23 has two ring ends 27, 29 which are spaced apart from each other by a circumferential gap 31, wherein a first ring end 27 of the two ring ends 27, 29 has a through-hole 33 and a second ring end 29 of the two ring ends 27, 29 has a thread 35, such that the clamping screw 25 can be passed through the through-hole 33 to engage the thread 35 for bringing the ring ends 27, 29 closer together when the clamping screw 25 is tightened, thereby closing the circumferential gap 31.

[0072] At b), the depth determination device 5 is shown in an exploded view. The circumferential bearing device 11 is preferably a plain bearing, in particular a bearing sleeve. The axial bearing device 21 is preferably a roller bearing, in particular an axial ball bearing. Alternatively, the axial bearing device 21 is a plain bearing, in particular a bearing ring, preferably a copper ring or a composite ring.

[0073] The cutting holder 7 comprises a plurality of radial chip openings 37.

[0074] The depth determining device 5 does not have an adjustment device for adjusting the axial distance between the stop surface 17 and the cutting edge 19. Instead, this axial distance is set according to a method which is further described below.

[0075] Preferably, the cutting holder 7 is made of aluminum. Preferably, at least a part of the tool head 9, preferably the tool head 9, including the cutting edge 19, is made of high speed steel; alternatively, polycrystalline diamond (PCD) can be used as material; alternatively, cemented carbide can be used as material. The mounting device 13, in particular the clamping ring 23, is preferably made of steel. Preferably, the axial bearing device 21 is made of steel. Preferably, the circumferential bearing device 11 is made of copper. The insertion pin 12 is preferably made of plastic, in particular PEEK, or a composite material.

[0076] Figure 3 A tool assembly 1 according to Figure 1 is shown. The clamping region 15 comprises a friction enhancing surface 39. In particular, the friction is higher in the clamping region 15, in particular at the friction enhancing surface 39, than in other surface regions of the shaft 10.

[0077] Preferably, the friction enhancing surface 39 comprises a plurality of recesses 41, only one of which is designated with a reference sign for the sake of clarity. Alternatively, the friction enhancing surface 39 can comprise or be embodied as a knurled surface. Preferably, the recesses 41 or the knurled surface are milled or ground into the clamping region 15.

[0078] The tool 3 is preferably a drilling tool, a milling tool, a chamfering tool, a counterboring tool, a swaging tool or a deburring tool.

[0079] At b), the friction enhancing surface 39 is shown in detail. Preferably, the plurality of recesses 41 comprises, or is, a plurality of circumferential grooves 43, the grooves 43 preferably having a zigzag profile.

[0080] At c), the insertion pin 12 is shown, which can preferably be attached to the tool head 9.

[0081] Figure 4 A second embodiment of the tool assembly 1 is shown. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment of the tool assembly 3 in particular in that it does not comprise an axial bearing device 21. Instead, the mounting device 13 is in direct contact with the circumferential bearing device 11, such that the circumferential bearing device 11 not only allows a relative rotation between the tool 3 and the cutting holder 7, but also directly allows a rotational movement between the mounting device 13, which is firmly clamped on the tool 3, and the cutting holder 7.

[0082] An embodiment of a method for determining the working depth of the tool 3 is explained with reference to Fig. 5, wherein Fig. 5 shows in particular a first embodiment of the depth setting device 45.

[0083] As shown at a), in a first step, the tool 3 and the depth determination device 5 are arranged on the depth setting device 45 in such a way that the mounting device 13 is at least partially located around the clamping region 15, so that the depth determination device 5, in particular the mounting device 13, can still be moved axially freely with respect to the tool 3. At the same time, the stop surface 17 abuts against the contact surface 47 of the depth setting device 45 and the cutting edge 19 abuts against the limit stop 49 of the depth setting device 45. Preferably, the insertion pin 12 is received in a receiving hole 50 of the depth setting device 45.

[0084] As long as no compression force is applied to the depth determination device 5, a first distance between the upper end 51 of the depth determination device 5 and the contact surface 47 is LI.

[0085] In this state, the mounting device 13 can be firmly mounted to the clamping region 15 of the shaft 10 in a second step. The working depth is then defined by the axial distance of the contact surface 47 to the limit stop 49 as the maximum working depth. However, the working depth can be changed preferably according to further steps explained as follows:

[0086] As shown at b), in an alternative second step, a predetermined compression force is applied to the depth determination device 5 in axial direction, so that at least a part of the depth determination device 5, in particular the cutting rest 7, is elastically compressed by a compression amount against the contact surface 47. The first distance is effectively shortened by the compression amount to LI - Δz in case of applying the compression force, wherein Δz is the compression amount. The stop surface 17 is still resting on the contact surface 47 and the cutting edge 19 is still resting on the limit stop 49.

[0087] The compression force is preferably applied to the mounting device 13, in particular at the upper end 51. Preferably, the compression force is applied by a pressure screw 53 or is applied pneumatically or is applied hydraulically.

[0088] Preferably, before applying the compression force, a compression amount Δz is defined by which the depth determination device 5 is to be elastically compressed and the setting of the compression force depends on, in particular as a function of, the defined compression amount Δz.

[0089] In this compressed state, in a third step, the mounting device 13 is fixed to the clamping region 15, so that the mounting device 13 is firmly mounted, in particular clamped, in the clamping region 15. Thereby, on the one hand, the tool assembly 1 is formed and, on the other hand, the working depth is fixed.

[0090] In a fourth step, the compression force is released from the depth determination device 5. Thus, in particular, the cutting holder 7 elastically relaxes to its initial extended state, so that the first distance is again LI. At the same time, since the mounting device 13 is firmly fixed to the tool shaft 10, the cutting edge 19 is lifted from the limit stop 49 by the compression amount Δz, as shown at c). Thus, the axial position of the stop surface 17, which is still resting on the contact surface 47, and of the cutting edge 19 is changed by the compression amount Δz. In this way, the working depth or the cutting depth of the tool 3 is changed from the maximum working depth by the compression amount Δz.

[0091] Finally, the tool assembly 1 is removed from the depth setting device 45.

[0092] In a first embodiment of the depth setting device 45 shown in Fig. 5, the contact surface 47 is integrally provided by the depth setting device 45. Furthermore, the limit stop 49 is integrally provided by the depth setting device 45, in particular by the depth setting recess 55.

[0093] The depth setting device 45 according to the first embodiment is suitable for use with a tool 3 which is embodied in particular as a counterbore tool.

[0094] Figure 6 A second embodiment of the depth setting device 45 is shown. This second embodiment is in particular suitable for use with a tool 3 which is embodied as a chamfer tool or a counterbore tool or a deburring tool. Furthermore, the second embodiment of the depth setting device 45 differs from the first embodiment in that the contact surface 47 is provided by a contact distance element 57 which is arranged on the depth setting device 45. Preferably, the contact distance element 57 is a distance ring. In this case, the limit stop 49 is not provided by the depth setting recess 55. In particular, there is no depth setting recess 55 in this embodiment of the depth setting device 45.

[0095] Figure 7 A third embodiment of the depth setting device 45 is shown. This third embodiment is also suitable for use with a tool 3 which is embodied as a chamfer tool or a counterbore tool or a deburring tool. However, in this case, as in the first embodiment, the contact surface 47 is integrally provided by the depth setting device 45 and the limit stop 49 is provided by the depth setting recess 55.

[0096] In another embodiment of the depth setting device 45, the limit stop 49 can be provided by a depth setting protrusion or by a stop distance element.

[0097] Figure 8 A fourth embodiment of the depth setting device 45 is shown. In order to more simply represent, Figure 8The cutting holder 7 is omitted in this fourth embodiment. In this fourth embodiment, the limit stop 49 is provided by a stop distance element 59 provided on the depth setting device 45.

Claims

1. Method for determining a depth of cut of a tool (3), comprising a) arranging the tool (3) and a depth determining device (5) on a depth setting device (45) such that a mounting device (13) of the depth determining device (5) is at least partially located around a clamping area (15) of a shaft (10) of the tool (3) such that the depth determining device (5) is free to move in axial direction relative to the tool (3), and a stop surface (17) of the depth determining device (5) abuts against a contact surface (47) of the depth setting device (45) and a cutting edge (19) of the tool (3) abuts against a limit stop (49) of the depth setting device (45); b0) applying a predetermined compression force to the depth determining device (5) in axial direction such that at least a portion of the depth determining device (5) is elastically compressed against the contact surface (47) by a compression amount, obtaining a compressed state of the depth determining device (5); b) fixing the mounting device (13) to the clamping area (15) of the shaft (10) in the compressed state of the depth determining device (5) such that the mounting device (13) is firmly mounted to the clamping area (15) of the shaft (10), thereby forming a tool assembly (1); c0) releasing the compression force from the depth determining device (5), the stop surface (17) still resting on the contact surface (47) and the cutting edge (19) lifted from the limit stop (49), and c) removing the tool assembly (1) from the depth setting device (45).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before applying the predetermined compression force in step b0), a compression amount to which the depth determining device (5) is to be elastically compressed is defined and the compression force is set as a function of the defined compression amount.

3. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein, the contact surface (47) is integrally provided by the depth setting device (45), or is provided by a contact distance element (57) arranged on the depth setting device (45).

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the limit stop (49) is integrally provided by the depth setting device (45), or is provided by a stop distance element (59) arranged on the depth setting device (45).

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the compression force is at least one of: applied by a pressure screw (53), or applied pneumatically or hydraulically; and applied to the mounting device (13).

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein a drilling tool, a milling tool, a chamfering tool, a counterboring tool, a counter sinking tool or a deburring tool is used as the tool (3).

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