Adjustable groove milling cutter and casing machining equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of cutting machining, in particular to an adjustable groove milling cutter and casing machining equipment, which comprises a left side milling cutter and a right side milling cutter, the left side milling cutter and the right side milling cutter are matched and embedded through a boss and a groove, and a gasket is arranged between the left side milling cutter and the right side milling cutter. The distance between the left milling cutter and the right milling cutter is adjusted. According to the adjustable groove milling cutter, the milling cutter is divided into the boss and the groove which are matched with the embedded structure, the cutter can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the gasket in the middle, the cutting coverage range of the cutter can be wider so as to adapt to machining of different groove widths, and the problems that in the prior art, a disc milling cutter is large in cutter consumption and low in utilization rate are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cutting and machining technology, specifically to an adjustable slotting cutter and casing machining equipment. Background Technology

[0002] As a core component of the modern aviation industry, the performance of aero engines directly determines the flight performance, reliability, and safety of aircraft. Against the backdrop of the booming global air transport industry and the continuous upgrading of military aviation equipment, the aero engine manufacturing sector is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. From a market demand perspective, in civil aviation, with the continuous growth of the global economy and the improvement of people's living standards, air transport demand is showing a steady upward trend. To meet the increasing passenger and cargo transport demands and continuously expand fleet size, there is a strong demand for new, efficient, and environmentally friendly civil aero engines. In the military aviation field, to enhance strategic deterrence, there is a continuous increase in R&D investment in advanced fighter jets, bombers, transport aircraft, and other military equipment, and high-performance aero engines are a key support for these advanced military equipment. Both civil and military aviation are placing higher demands on aero engine performance, including higher thrust, lower fuel consumption, higher reliability, and longer service life. From a technological development perspective, aero engine technology is developing towards higher temperature, higher pressure, and higher speed. To improve engine thermal efficiency and thrust, combustion chamber temperature and pressure need to be continuously increased, posing extremely stringent challenges to the material properties and manufacturing processes of engine components. Simultaneously, weight reduction design, while ensuring structural strength, is crucial for reducing engine weight and improving its power-to-weight ratio. Furthermore, with the increasing complexity of aero-engine design, higher requirements are placed on the machining precision and surface quality of components to ensure stable engine operation under extreme conditions such as high speed, high temperature, and high pressure.

[0003] Among the many components of an aero-engine, the casing plays a crucial role. The casing is not only the main load-bearing component of the aero-engine, undertaking the important task of transmitting and bearing various complex loads inside the engine, but it also provides the foundation for the installation and positioning of other engine components. Its performance directly affects the reliability and safety of the entire aero-engine. Therefore, how to manufacture high-quality, high-performance casings has become one of the key issues that urgently need to be addressed in the field of aero-engine manufacturing.

[0004] In the machining of the casing, the machining of the outer cylindrical surface grooves is one of the key steps. Due to the complex shape of the casing to balance structural strength and weight reduction requirements, it incorporates numerous weight-reducing grooves of varying sizes. Therefore, appropriate machining methods and tools are needed to achieve efficient and precise machining. Currently, milling is the primary method for machining the outer cylindrical surface grooves of the casing, with ball end mills and profile milling cutters being commonly used. Ball end mills are a common milling tool with a spherical tip, allowing them to adapt well to complex curved surfaces. In casing groove machining, ball end mills can achieve precise milling of the grooves through multi-axis linkage. They can adapt to the complex shape of the grooves to a certain extent, and by adjusting the tool's posture and cutting parameters, the machining of various parts of the groove can be completed. Profile milling cutters are another commonly used machining tool. Unlike ball end mills, profile milling cutters are designed and manufactured according to the specific shape of the groove, with their cutting edge shape matching the cross-sectional shape of the groove. During machining, disc end mills have a large depth of cut, enabling direct shaping of the groove. This machining method completes most of the groove machining in a single pass, reducing the number of cuts and machining time, thus significantly improving cutting efficiency. Furthermore, because disc end mills are designed to precisely fit the groove shape, the machined grooves exhibit high dimensional accuracy and surface quality. However, since profile forming disc end mills are designed and manufactured according to the specific groove shape, their cutting edge shape is fixed, allowing them to machine only grooves of specific sizes and shapes that match that shape. When machining grooves of different widths or shapes, new disc end mills must be designed and manufactured, increasing tool manufacturing costs and extending the tool manufacturing cycle. In the machining of aero-engine casings, groove dimensions vary. Equipping each size of groove with a dedicated disc end mill would result in a large variety of tools, high tool consumption, difficult inventory management, and reduced tool utilization and production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problems of high tool consumption and low utilization rate of existing disc milling cutters, this invention provides an adjustable slot milling cutter and casing machining equipment.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solution: The present invention provides an adjustable slotting cutter, including a left end mill and a right end mill, wherein the left end mill and the right end mill are fitted together by a boss and a groove, and a washer is provided between the left end mill and the right end mill for adjusting the distance between the left end mill and the right end mill.

[0007] Optionally, the left and right end mills have countersunk holes on opposite sides, and the washer is placed inside the countersunk hole.

[0008] Optionally, both the left and right end mills are provided with chip grooves near the cutting edge.

[0009] Optionally, the diameter of the countersunk hole is greater than the diameter of the tool shaft and less than the diameter of the chip groove.

[0010] Optionally, the circumferential teeth of the left end mill are helical to the right, and the circumferential teeth of the right end mill are helical to the left, and the rake angles of the end teeth are both positive rake angles.

[0011] Optionally, both the boss and the groove are mutually cooperating fan-shaped structures.

[0012] Optionally, the height of the boss is equal to the depth of the groove.

[0013] Optionally, the height of the boss and the depth of the groove are both greater than the maximum width of the adjustable gap between the left and right end mills.

[0014] Optionally, the peripheral teeth of the left end mill and the peripheral teeth of the right end mill mesh with each other on opposite sides of the left and right end mills, and the cutting parts overlap and intersect.

[0015] A casing machining apparatus, comprising the aforementioned adjustable slotting cutter.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention provides an adjustable slotting cutter, comprising a left-side cutter and a right-side cutter. The left and right cutters are fitted together by a boss and a groove, and a washer is provided between them to adjust the distance between them. This adjustable slotting cutter divides the cutter into two parts with a boss-groove fitting structure. Adjustment of the thickness of the intermediate washer allows for cutter adjustment, resulting in a wider cutting coverage to accommodate different slot widths. Furthermore, the boss-groove fitting structure not only allows for independent disassembly of the left and right cutters for easy replacement or maintenance, but also enables high-precision positioning, reducing assembly errors. In practical design, the dimensions of the boss and groove can be standardized to accommodate different cutter models, further improving the versatility of the tooling system, reducing tool consumption, increasing tool utilization, and saving tool changing and selection time, thereby improving slotting efficiency.

[0017] On opposite sides of the left and right end mills, countersunk holes are provided. The washer is placed inside the countersunk hole. The countersunk hole provides a precise positioning space for the washer. Through the constraint of the hole wall, the axial movement or radial displacement of the washer under the action of cutting force can be completely eliminated.

[0018] Both the left and right end mills are equipped with chip grooves near the cutting edge. The chip grooves allow the chips to enter the grooves immediately after they are generated, reducing the contact time between the chips and the machined surface and preventing the chips from repeatedly rolling over the machined surface, which would reduce the surface roughness.

[0019] The diameter of the countersunk hole is larger than the diameter of the tool mounting shaft and smaller than the diameter of the chip groove, which can ensure the strength of the tool mounting without affecting the chip removal of the chip removal groove.

[0020] The left end mill has right-handed teeth, while the right end mill has left-handed teeth, and both have positive rake angles. The combination of right-handed teeth on the left end mill and left-handed teeth on the right end mill creates a symmetrical cutting force vector during simultaneous double-edge cutting, suppressing machining ripples. The positive rake angle teeth reduce friction between the cutting edge and the workpiece, concentrating the cutting force axially and reducing the radial load on the tool.

[0021] Both the boss and the groove are mutually cooperating fan-shaped structures. The arc-shaped edge of the fan-shaped structure has a natural guiding function. During assembly, the boss can automatically slide into the correct position along the arc surface of the groove without additional calibration. At the same time, the radial dimension of the fan-shaped structure is greater than the axial dimension, which can significantly improve the shear resistance and ensure the stability and consistency of the left and right end mills during machining.

[0022] The height of the boss is equal to the depth of the groove. The equal-height structure increases the contact area to improve shear resistance while avoiding local stress concentration caused by the height difference, thus improving the stability of the tool.

[0023] The height of the boss and the depth of the groove are both greater than the maximum width of the adjustable gap between the left and right end mills, ensuring effective force transmission during the machining process when the boss and groove are engaged, thereby effectively ensuring the stability and consistency of the left and right end mills during machining.

[0024] The teeth of the left and right end mills mesh with each other on opposite sides of the left and right end mills, and the cutting parts overlap and intersect. This ensures the effectiveness and consistency of cutting even after width adjustment, thereby guaranteeing machining quality.

[0025] The present invention also provides a casing machining apparatus, including the aforementioned adjustable slotting cutter. This casing machining apparatus, through the adjustable slotting cutter, enables multi-purpose use of a single cutter, suitable for machining slots of different specifications, reducing tool changes, improving tool utilization, simplifying tool inventory management, and significantly improving casing machining efficiency. This is of great significance for improving the economic efficiency of casing machining. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing slot milling cutter.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an adjustable slotting cutter according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a left-side end mill structure diagram of an adjustable slot end mill according to the present invention, where a is a side view and b is a front view partial cross-sectional view corresponding to a.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a right-side end mill structure diagram of an adjustable slot end mill according to the present invention, where a is a side view and b is a partial front view sectional view corresponding to a.

[0030] Among them, 1-left end mill, 2-right end mill, 3-washer, 4-counterhole, 5-chip groove, 6-bore, 7-groove, 8-peripheral tooth. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0032] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0033] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0034] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "horizontal," or "inner" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of the invention is in use, they are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0035] Furthermore, the use of the term "horizontal" does not imply that the component must be absolutely horizontal, but rather that it can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0036] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0037] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. These descriptions are for explanation purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0038] See Figure 1 Existing profile forming disc milling cutters are one-piece structures, including peripheral teeth 8, with cutting edges at the ends of the peripheral teeth 8 and chip grooves 5 near the cutting edges. Each slotting cutter is designed and manufactured according to the specific shape of the slot, and its cutting edge shape matches the cross-sectional shape of the slot. During machining, the disc slotting cutter has a large depth of cut, enabling direct shaping of the slot. This machining method can complete most of the slot machining in a single pass, reducing the number of cuts and machining time, thus significantly improving cutting efficiency. However, although profile forming disc milling cutters have high cutting efficiency, they have shortcomings in tool adaptability. Because profile forming disc milling cutters are designed and manufactured according to the shape of a specific slot, their cutting edge shape is fixed, and they can only machine slots of specific sizes and shapes that match it. When it is necessary to machine slots of different widths or shapes, new disc milling cutters need to be redesigned and manufactured, which not only increases the manufacturing cost of the tool but also extends the tool manufacturing cycle. In the machining of aircraft engine casings, the dimensions of the slots vary. If a dedicated disc milling cutter is provided for each size of slot, it will result in a wide variety of cutting tools, difficulty in inventory management, and reduced tool utilization and production efficiency.

[0039] Example 1 To address the above problems, this invention discloses an adjustable slotting cutter, as described above. Figures 2 to 4 It includes a left end mill 1 and a right end mill 2. The left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2 are fitted together by a boss 6 and a groove 7. A washer 3 is provided between the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2 to adjust the distance between the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2.

[0040] This adjustable slotting cutter consists of two parts: a boss 6 and a groove 7 that fit together. The cutter can be adjusted by changing the thickness of the middle washer 3, allowing for a wider cutting range to accommodate different slot widths. The fit between the boss 6 and the groove 7 not only allows the left and right cutters to be disassembled independently for easy replacement or maintenance, but also enables high-precision positioning and reduces assembly errors.

[0041] Example 2 Reference Figures 2 to 4 This invention discloses an adjustable slotting cutter, comprising a left end mill 1 and a right end mill 2. The left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2 are fitted together by a boss 6 and a groove 7. A washer 3 is provided between the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2 to adjust the distance between them. A countersunk hole 4 is provided on the opposite side of the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2. The washer 3 is placed inside the countersunk hole 4, which provides precise positioning space for the washer 3. Through the constraint of the hole wall, the axial movement or radial offset of the washer 3 under cutting force can be completely eliminated. Chip grooves 5 are provided near the cutting edge of both the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2. The chip grooves 5 allow chips to enter the grooves immediately after generation, reducing the contact time between the chips and the machined surface and preventing the chips from repeatedly rolling on the machined surface, thus reducing surface roughness. The diameter of the countersunk hole 4 is larger than the diameter of the tool mounting shaft and smaller than the diameter of the chip groove 5. It is generally 10mm smaller than the bottom diameter of the axial cutter tooth chip groove 5, so as to ensure the strength of the tool mounting without affecting the chip removal of the chip removal groove 5.

[0042] Example 3 Reference Figures 2 to 4This invention discloses an adjustable slotting cutter, comprising a left end mill 1 and a right end mill 2. The left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2 are fitted together by a boss 6 and a groove 7. A washer 3 is provided between the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2 to adjust the distance between them. A countersunk hole 4 is provided on the opposite side of the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2. The washer 3 is placed inside the countersunk hole 4, which provides precise positioning space for the washer 3. Through the constraint of the hole wall, the axial movement or radial offset of the washer 3 under cutting force can be completely eliminated. Chip grooves 5 are provided near the cutting edge of the peripheral teeth 8 on both the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2. The chip grooves 5 allow chips to enter the grooves immediately after generation, reducing the contact time between the chips and the machined surface and preventing the chips from repeatedly rolling on the machined surface, thus reducing surface roughness. The diameter of the countersunk hole 4 is larger than the diameter of the tool shaft and smaller than the diameter of the chip groove 5, generally 10mm smaller than the bottom diameter of the axial cutter tooth chip groove 5. This ensures the strength of the tool mounting without affecting the chip removal of the chip groove 5. The peripheral teeth 8 of the left end mill 1 are right-handed, and the peripheral teeth 8 of the right end mill 2 are left-handed, with both having positive rake angles. The combination of the right-handed peripheral teeth 8 of the left end mill 1 and the left-handed peripheral teeth 8 of the right end mill 2 forms a symmetrical cutting force vector during synchronous double-edge cutting, suppressing the generation of machining ripples. The positive rake angle end teeth reduce friction between the cutting edge and the workpiece, making the cutting force more concentrated in the axial direction and reducing the radial component force on the tool.

[0043] Example 4 Reference Figures 2 to 4This invention discloses an adjustable slotting cutter, comprising a left end mill 1 and a right end mill 2. The left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2 are fitted together by a boss 6 and a groove 7. After the left and right end mills are combined, the bottom of the groove 7 of one end mill and the end face of the boss 6 of the other end mill maintain an axial end face gap of about 1-2 mm. A washer 3 is provided between the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2 to adjust the distance between them. The peripheral teeth 8 of the left end mill 1 and the peripheral teeth 8 of the right end mill 2 mesh with each other on the opposite side of the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2, and the cutting parts overlap and cross. On the opposite side of the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2, a countersunk hole 4 is provided. The washer 3 is placed inside the countersunk hole 4. The countersunk hole 4 provides a precise positioning space for the washer 3. Through the constraint of the hole wall, the axial movement or radial offset of the washer 3 under the action of cutting force can be completely eliminated. Optionally, the sum of the depths of the countersunk holes 4 is less than the thickness of the washer 3. Both the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2 are equipped with chip grooves 5 near their cutting edges. These grooves allow chips to enter immediately after generation, reducing contact time between the chips and the machined surface and preventing repeated chip crushing that would reduce surface roughness. The countersunk hole 4 has a diameter larger than the tool shaft diameter but smaller than the chip groove 5 diameter, typically 10mm smaller than the bottom diameter of the axial tooth chip groove 5. This ensures tool strength without affecting chip removal from the chip groove 5. The peripheral teeth 8 of the left end mill 1 are right-handed, and the peripheral teeth 8 of the right end mill 2 are left-handed, with both having positive rake angles. The combination of the right-handed peripheral teeth 8 of the left end mill 1 and the left-handed peripheral teeth 8 of the right end mill 2 creates a symmetrical cutting force vector during simultaneous double-edge cutting, suppressing machining ripples. The positive rake angle of the end teeth reduces friction between the cutting edge and the workpiece, concentrating the cutting force axially and reducing the radial load on the tool. The height of the boss 6 is equal to the depth of the groove 7. Both the height of the boss 6 and the depth of the groove 7 are greater than the maximum width of the adjustable gap between the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2. Optionally, the boss 6 and the groove 7 are mutually cooperating fan-shaped structures, with the fan-shaped boss 6 and groove 7 alternately arranged on opposite sides of the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2.

[0044] The adjustable slotting cutter in the above embodiment has an outline consistent with the bottom surface of the slot on the part, and can be cylindrical, conical, or curved. During installation and adjustment, the end teeth of the left end mill 1 and the right end mill 2 face outwards, with the groove 7 of the left end mill 1 corresponding to the boss 6 of the right end mill 2. The adjusting washer 3 is placed inside the countersunk hole 4 between the two end mills. Then, the left end mill 1, washer 3, and right end mill 2 are sequentially mounted on the mandrel, so that the boss and groove are interlocked to form a complete slotting cutter. The two ends of the assembled cutter are pressed tightly together, ensuring there are no gaps between the contact surfaces of the left end mill 1, washer 3, and right end mill 2. The axial end tooth profile dimension of the assembled cutter is measured, and the thickness of the washer 3 is compared with the dimensions on the drawing to determine if it meets the requirements. If the measured dimension is large, the thickness of the washer 3 is reduced to the difference between the measured value and the value indicated on the drawing. If the measured size is small, add washer 3. The thickness of the newly added washer 3 is the difference between the value marked on the drawing and the actual measured value. After the tool width of the combination tool is adjusted to meet the requirements, it can be put into use.

[0045] The installation and adjustment method of this adjustable slotting cutter for parts with different slot widths is as follows: For machining parts with different slot widths, only washer 3 needs to be replaced.

[0046] The present invention also provides a casing machining apparatus, including the aforementioned adjustable slotting cutter. This casing machining apparatus, through the adjustable slotting cutter, enables multi-purpose use of a single cutter, suitable for machining slots of different specifications, reducing tool changes, improving tool utilization, simplifying tool inventory management, and significantly improving casing machining efficiency. This is of great significance for improving the economic efficiency of casing machining.

[0047] In summary, the present invention provides an adjustable slot milling cutter and housing machining equipment. The disc milling cutter is designed as a three-part structure consisting of left and right halves and a washer 3. By adjusting the thickness of the washer 3, the required slot width of the machined parts can be ensured, thereby increasing the machining range of the disc milling cutter, improving the machining efficiency of the disc milling cutter, increasing the reusability of the disc milling cutter, and reducing tool consumption.

[0048] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the technical solution of the present invention in any way. Those skilled in the art should understand that, without departing from the spirit and principles of the present invention, the technical solution can be modified and replaced in several simple ways, and these modifications and replacements are all within the scope of protection covered by the claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable slotting cutter, characterized in that, It includes a left end mill and a right end mill, which are fitted together by a boss and a groove. A washer is provided between the left end mill and the right end mill to adjust the distance between them.

2. The adjustable slotting cutter according to claim 1, characterized in that, On the opposite sides of the left and right end mills, countersunk holes are provided, and the washer is placed inside the countersunk holes.

3. The adjustable slotting cutter according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the left and right end mills are provided with chip grooves near the cutting edge.

4. The adjustable slotting cutter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The diameter of the countersunk hole is greater than the diameter of the tool shaft and smaller than the diameter of the chip groove.

5. The adjustable slotting cutter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The left end mill has right-handed teeth, the right end mill has left-handed teeth, and both teeth have positive rake angles.

6. The adjustable slotting cutter according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the boss and the groove are fan-shaped structures that cooperate with each other.

7. The adjustable slotting cutter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the boss is equal to the depth of the groove.

8. The adjustable slotting cutter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the boss and the depth of the groove are both greater than the maximum width of the adjustable gap between the left and right end mills.

9. The adjustable slotting cutter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The teeth of the left end mill and the teeth of the right end mill mesh with each other on opposite sides of the left and right end mills, and the cutting parts overlap and intersect.

10. A casing processing equipment, characterized in that, Includes the adjustable slotting cutter as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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