Adjustable tool holder

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjustable tool holder (10) for a rotary material removal tool, the tool holder (10) comprising a body portion (18), an inner sleeve (22) and a slide (24), the inner sleeve comprising a tool mating bore (34) and an outer surface (26) that are eccentric relative to each other. The slide is arranged for rotatably receiving the inner sleeve. The body portion comprises a first guide element and a second guide element. The inner sleeve comprises a third guide element that interacts with the first guide element, thereby allowing the inner sleeve to linearly move relative to the body portion in a first direction (56). The slide comprises a fourth guide element that interacts with the second guide element, thereby allowing the slide to linearly move relative to the body portion in a second direction (62), wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an adjustable tool holder for a rotary material removal tool. The invention further relates to a method for adjusting the diameter of a drill bit of a rotary material removal tool mounted on the tool holder. The tool to be held is of the type having at least one cutting element, and preferably at least two cutting elements. An exemplary tool is a drilling tool equipped with a center insert and a peripheral insert. Both inserts are stationary relative to the tool shank. To adjust the diameter of the hole to be drilled, the entire tool can be radially displaced relative to the axis of rotation. The resulting eccentric positioning of the tool is acceptable as long as the displacement is parallel to the cutting edge of the insert. Otherwise, the core left in the hole may become too large, potentially disrupting the tool's balance and causing damage to the workpiece and / or the insert and / or even the entire tool. Background Technology

[0002] Tool holders that meet this condition exist. However, these tool holders require a large number of parts that can move relative to each other. Therefore, they are expensive to manufacture and complex to operate. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable tool holder that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to operate.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by providing an adjustable tool holder that defines a rotation axis and has a proximal end section and a distal end section along the rotation axis, wherein the tool holder includes a body portion at the proximal end section, the body portion including a mounting portion adapted for direct or indirect attachment to a machine spindle, wherein the tool holder includes an inner sleeve and a slider at the distal end section, the inner sleeve including a tool fitting eye for retaining a material removal tool and a rotationally symmetrical outer surface, the tool fitting eye and the rotationally symmetrical outer surface being eccentric relative to each other, thereby forming a circumferential wall with a varying wall thickness in the circumferential direction, wherein the slider is arranged for... The inner sleeve is rotatably received on a rotationally symmetrical outer surface, wherein the body portion includes a first guide element and a second guide element, wherein the inner sleeve further includes a third guide element that interacts with the first guide element to allow linear movement of the inner sleeve relative to the body portion in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, wherein the linear movement of the inner sleeve relative to the body portion is aligned such that the centerline of the tool fitting eye coincides with the axis of rotation at its center position, wherein the slider includes a fourth guide element that interacts with the second guide element to allow linear movement of the slider relative to the body portion in a second direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.

[0005] When directly attached to the machine spindle, the tool holder is machine-compatible. When indirectly attached to the machine spindle, the tool holder needs to be machine-compatible and suitable for receiving additional parts or adapters for the tool holder.

[0006] According to a preferred embodiment, the first direction (i.e., the direction of linear movement of the inner sleeve relative to the body portion) and the second direction (i.e., the direction of linear movement of the slider relative to the body portion) are perpendicular to each other.

[0007] According to another preferred embodiment, the slider includes an eyelet for rotatably receiving or accommodating the inner sleeve.

[0008] The centerline of the eyelet in the slider preferably does not extend through the slider's center of mass. This can be achieved, for example, by an eyelet that is eccentric about the generally cylindrical slider. This feature is used to minimize the imbalance of the tool holder when the slider shifts in response to adjustment of the inner sleeve.

[0009] The first guiding element is, for example, a first groove or channel formed in the body portion.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the third guide element includes a journal that is fixedly attached to the inner sleeve and arranged coaxially with the centerline of the tool engagement hole, whereby the journal is inserted into and guided within a first groove or cavity to create line contact.

[0011] According to this embodiment, the journal is preferably integrally formed with the inner sleeve.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the third guide element is formed of an insert element comprising a slotted nut section and a pivot section, wherein the slotted nut section has two opposing parallel sides guided within a groove or recess to create surface contact, and wherein the pivot section protrudes into a tool fitting orifice to form a pivot bearing.

[0013] The second guide element is, for example, a second groove or recess formed in the body portion, whereby the slider includes a flange portion that provides two opposing parallel sides guided within the second groove, thereby creating surface contact.

[0014] The slider preferably includes a flange portion that can be fixed to the body portion by means of a threaded connection.

[0015] The slider further preferably includes a shaft portion, wherein at least one threaded hole is provided in the shaft portion in the radial direction about the axis of rotation for receiving a clamping bolt for fixing a material removal tool.

[0016] The inner sleeve preferably includes an opening through the circumferential wall for clamping bolts to pass through.

[0017] The orifice is a slotted orifice that extends longitudinally in the circumferential direction.

[0018] The slot hole preferably extends longitudinally in the circumferential direction at an angle of at least 30°, preferably at least 60°, and at most 180°, preferably at most 120°.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention, this objective is further achieved by providing a method for adjusting the diameter of a drill bit for a rotating material removal tool mounted on a tool holder according to the first aspect, wherein the inner sleeve rotates relative to the slider to linearly move the inner sleeve relative to the body portion in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and linearly move the slider relative to the body portion in a second direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.

[0020] It should be understood that the foregoing description of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed invention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The following detailed description can be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals designate the same elements, and in the drawings: Figure 1A This is a top view of a first embodiment of a tool holder according to the invention having a first adjustment; Figure 1B It is along Figure 1A A cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a tool holder with first adjustment, taken from plane AA as indicated in the center; Figure 2A This is a top view of a first embodiment of a tool holder with a second adjustment; Figure 2B This is a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a tool holder with a second adjustment; Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the tool holder; Figure 4A This is a top view of a second embodiment of the tool holder according to the invention, having a first adjustment; Figure 4B It is along Figure 4A A cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of a tool holder with a first adjustment, taken from plane AA as indicated in the center; Figure 5A This is a top view of a second embodiment of a tool holder with a second adjustment; Figure 5B This is a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of a tool holder with a second adjustment; and Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the tool holder according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Figure 1A , 1B 2A, 2B, and 3 illustrate a first embodiment of a tool holder 10 according to the invention. The tool holder 10 defines a rotation axis 12 and has a proximal end section 14 and a distal end section 16 along the rotation axis. A Cartesian coordinate system is depicted defining directions x, y, and z, wherein the z-direction coincides with the rotation axis 12. The y-direction is perpendicular to the z-axis, and... Figure 1A , 1B Shown vertically in 2A and 2B. The x-direction is perpendicular to both the y-direction and the z-direction. At the proximal end section 14 of the tool holder, the tool holder 10 includes a body portion 18, which includes a mounting portion 20 adapted for direct or indirect attachment to a machine spindle (not shown).

[0023] The tool holder 10 includes an inner sleeve 22 and a slider 24 at its distal end section 16. The inner sleeve 22 has a substantially cylindrical profile in the intermediate section, formed by a rotationally symmetrical outer surface 26. In the bottom section, a journal 28 is integrally formed with and thus fixedly attached to the inner sleeve 22. The journal 28 also has a cylindrical outer surface 29 with a smaller diameter than that of the intermediate section. The journal 28 serves as a third guide element. At the top, the sleeve includes a shoulder 30 abutting against the top surface 32 of the slider 24. The shoulder 30 has a radially inward notch 33 at a specific circumferential location, which can be used to engage an adjustment tool to manually rotate the inner sleeve 22 relative to the slider 24.

[0024] Internally, the inner sleeve 22 is provided with a tool fitting eye 34, which defines a centerline 35 and is adapted to receive and retain a material removal tool (not shown). The cylindrical outer surface 26 and the tool fitting eye 34 are eccentric relative to each other, thereby forming a circumferential wall 36 with a varying wall thickness in the circumferential direction, see [reference needed]. Figure 1B and Figure 2B The comparison shows that the notch 33 indicates the direction of the maximum eccentricity of the inner sleeve and the minimum wall thickness. The journal 28 and the center line 35 of the tool fitting hole 34 are arranged coaxially.

[0025] The slider 24 includes a shaft portion 38 and a flange portion 40. The shaft portion 38 has a cylindrical outer surface 42. The flange portion 40 has a partially cylindrical outer surface 43 and two opposing parallel sides 44, 45 that flatten the area around the cylinder and serve as a fourth guide element. The cylindrical outer surface 42 and the partially cylindrical outer surface 43 are arranged coaxially around a common central axis 46 of the slider 24. Two threaded holes 47 are provided in the shaft portion 38 and extend radially about the axis of rotation 12 for receiving clamping bolts 48 for securing the shank 49 of a material removal tool (cut off) within a tool fitting eyelet 34. The slider 24 can be secured to the body portion 18 via its flange portion 38 by means of a threaded connection (not shown).

[0026] Internally, the slider 24 is provided with an eyelet 50 for rotatably supporting the inner sleeve 22. The eyelet 50 and the cylindrical outer surface 42 are eccentric relative to each other in order to partially compensate for the linear offset of the slider 24 as explained below.

[0027] The body portion 18 includes a first receiving groove 52 formed in its upper side 54. (See top view) Figure 1A and Figure 2AIn this configuration, the first receiving groove 52 has a greater extension in a first direction 56 parallel to the x-direction indicated by the double arrow 56 than in the y-direction perpendicular to the x-direction. The first receiving groove 52 serves as a first guide element in the first direction 56. For this purpose, the first receiving groove 52 includes two opposing parallel sides 58, 59, both oriented in a plane parallel to the rotation axis 12 and parallel to the first direction 56. The sides 58, 59 are symmetrical about the rotation axis 35. In other words, the two sides 58, 59 are equidistant from the rotation axis in the y-direction. The journal 28 is inserted into the first receiving groove 52, thereby establishing line contact with each of the sides 58, 59. This allows the inner sleeve 22 to move linearly relative to the body portion 18 in the first direction 56 perpendicular to the rotation axis 12.

[0028] The body portion 18 also includes a second groove 60 formed in the upper side 54 of the body portion 18 and serving as a second guide element. In a top view, the second groove 60 is oriented along a second direction 62 perpendicular to the first direction 56. The second groove 60 includes two opposing parallel side surfaces 64, 65, both oriented in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation 12 and the second direction 62. The flange portion 40 of the slider 24 is inserted into the second groove 60, whereby the side surfaces 64, 65 of the second groove 60 abut against the corresponding side surfaces 44, 45 of the flange portion, thereby creating surface contact and allowing the slider 24 to make a second linear movement relative to the body portion 18 in the second direction 62 perpendicular to the axis of rotation 12.

[0029] The following description is used for fine-tuning the installation according to... Figures 1A to 3 A method for removing the drill bit diameter of a tool by rotating material on a tool holder.

[0030] Typically, the inner sleeve 22 is rotated relative to the slider 24, thereby causing the inner sleeve 22 to move linearly relative to the body portion 18 in a first direction 56 perpendicular to the rotation axis 12, and simultaneously causing the slider 24 to move linearly relative to the body portion 18 in a second direction 62 perpendicular to the rotation axis 12.

[0031] More specifically, when the inner sleeve 22 is moved relative to the slider 24 from... Figure 1A The angular position shown is rotated 90° clockwise to Figure 2AIn the angular position shown, the mating eyelet 34 travels linearly along the first direction 56 from a position with maximum radial displacement 68 to a position with zero radial displacement, as indicated by the distance of the centerline 35 relative to the rotation axis 12. The maximum radial displacement 68 corresponds to the amount of eccentricity of the inner sleeve 22. Thus, the centerline 35 of the tool mating eyelet 34 remains in the plane formed by the rotation axis 12 and the x-direction. The linear movement of the inner sleeve 22 relative to the body portion 18 is aligned such that, according to… Figure 2A In the angular position (referred to as the center position in this paper), the center line 35 of the tool mating hole 34 coincides with the rotation axis 12.

[0032] The inner sleeve 22 includes an opening 69 through its circumferential wall 36 for a clamping bolt 48 to pass through. The opening 69 is formed as a slot extending in the circumferential direction. The slot serves as a stop to limit the rotational angle of the inner sleeve 22 relative to the slider 24. Figure 3 As shown, the slotted hole extends at an angle exceeding 180° in the circumferential direction. Simultaneously, the slotted nut is arranged symmetrically around the position of maximum eccentricity. Therefore, unlike what is shown in Figures 1 and 2, rotation exceeding 90° is possible on both sides of the central position, resulting in a linear displacement twice the maximum radial displacement in the first direction. Thus, the material removal tool can be adjusted in two directions parallel to the cutting edge. Since adjustment to a larger drill diameter is typically required, the possibility of adjusting the material removal tool in the negative direction (e.g., if the material removal tool produces an oversized hole) may also be useful. Typical adjustment ranges are +1.2 mm and -0.2 mm.

[0033] Typically, the degree of linear movement in the first direction depends on the rotation angle, the angular termination position of the rotational movement relative to the inner sleeve 22 with the angular position of maximum eccentricity, and the amount of eccentricity of the inner sleeve 22.

[0034] Since the journal and the tool fitting hole 34 are arranged coaxially, the guide of the journal 28 within the first receiving groove 52 restricts the degree of freedom of movement of the tool fitting hole 34 in the first direction. To ensure that this displacement of the tool fitting hole 34 is parallel to the cutting edge of the tool insert to be mounted on the tool holder 10, the alignment of the threaded hole 44 with respect to the second direction is the same as the alignment of the clamping surface of the tool with respect to the cutting edge.

[0035] The component of the eccentric movement of the inner sleeve 22 perpendicular to the first direction 56 (i.e., in the second direction 62) is compensated by the slider 24, which moves linearly along the second direction 62. That is, the centerline 35 of the tool-fitting eye 34 moves only in the first direction 56, while the central axis 46 of the slider 24 moves only in the second direction 62. Since the eye 50 and the cylindrical outer surface 42 are eccentric relative to each other, the central axis 46 of the slider 24 moves along the second direction 62 from... Figure 1B The position shown is slightly above the axis of rotation 12 (i.e., along the y-direction), and moved to the position shown. Figure 2B The slider 24 is positioned slightly below the body portion 18. This provides more symmetrical movement in the second direction 62 relative to the axis of rotation 12. Therefore, the maximum displacement of the slider 24 relative to the body portion 18 is only half the maximum radial displacement of the orifice of the tool holder, thereby minimizing the imbalance of the entire tool holder.

[0036] Figure 4A , 4B Images 5A, 5B, and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the tool holder 10 according to the invention. This tool holder is essentially composed of the same components as those described with respect to the first embodiment, but with the following differences.

[0037] According to the second embodiment, the third guide element is formed by an insert element 70 instead of the journal 28. The insert element 70 includes a slotted nut section 72 and a pivot section 74. The slotted nut section 72 has two opposing parallel sides 76, 77 that are guided within the first receiving groove 52. Specifically, when the slotted nut section 70 is inserted into the first receiving groove 52, the sides 58, 59 of the first receiving groove abut against the corresponding sides 76, 77 of the slotted nut section 70, thereby creating surface contact and allowing the inner sleeve 22 to move linearly relative to the body portion 18 in a first direction 56 perpendicular to the axis of rotation 12.

[0038] In terms of the defined and low-wear guidance, the surface contact is superior to the line contact established according to the first embodiment. On the other hand, it requires an additional part, which makes the tool holder more expensive.

[0039] In order to allow relative rotation between the inner sleeve 22 and the slider 24 despite surface contact, the pivot section 74 of the insert element 70 is configured to protrude into the tool fitting eye 34 and sit rotatably in the tool fitting eye 34, thereby forming a pivot bearing.

[0040] List of reference numerals

[0041] 10. Tool holder

[0042] 12. Rotation axis

[0043] 14. Proximal end segment

[0044] 16. Distal end section

[0045] 18. Main Body

[0046] 20 Installation Department

[0047] 22 Inner Sleeve

[0048] 24 sliders

[0049] 26. Outer surface of the inner sleeve

[0050] 28 journals

[0051] 29 Outer surface of journal

[0052] 30 shoulder rings

[0053] 32. Top surface of the slider

[0054] 33 Notch

[0055] 34. Tool fitting hole

[0056] 35. Centerline of the tool fitting hole

[0057] 36. Circumferential wall of the inner sleeve

[0058] 38-axis section

[0059] 40 Flange portion

[0060] 42. Outer surface of the shaft section

[0061] 43. The partially cylindrical outer surface of the flange portion

[0062] 44, 45 Side surfaces of the flange portion

[0063] 46. ​​The central axis of the slider

[0064] 47 Threaded hole

[0065] 48 Clamping bolts

[0066] 49. Material removal tool shank

[0067] 50 holes

[0068] 52 First container

[0069] 54 upper side

[0070] 56 First Direction

[0071] 58, 59 Side of the first container

[0072] 60 Second Groove

[0073] 62 Second Direction

[0074] 64, 65 Side of the second groove

[0075] 68 Maximum radial displacement

[0076] 69 orifices

[0077] 70 Insert Components

[0078] 72 Narrow slot nut section

[0079] 74 Pivot Section

[0080] 76, 77 Side of slotted nuts

Claims

1. An adjustable tool holder (10) for rotating material removal tools. The tool holder (10) defines a rotation axis (12), and the tool holder (10) has a proximal end section (14) and a distal end section (16) along the rotation axis (12). The tool holder (10) includes a body portion (18) at the proximal end section (14), the body portion (18) including a mounting portion (20) adapted to be directly or indirectly attached to a machine spindle. The tool holder (10) includes an inner sleeve (22) and a slider (24) at the distal end section (16). The inner sleeve (22) includes a tool fitting eye (34) for holding the material removal tool and a rotationally symmetrical outer surface (26). The tool fitting eye (34) and the rotationally symmetrical outer surface (26) are eccentric relative to each other, thereby forming a circumferential wall (36). The slider (24) is arranged to rotatably receive the rotationally symmetrical outer surface (26) of the inner sleeve (22). The body portion (18) includes a first guide element and a second guide element. The inner sleeve (22) further includes a third guide element that interacts with the first guide element to allow linear movement of the inner sleeve (22) relative to the body portion (18) in a first direction (56) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (12), wherein the linear movement of the inner sleeve (22) relative to the body portion (18) is aligned such that the centerline (35) of the tool fitting eye (34) coincides with the axis of rotation (12) at its center position. The slider (24) includes a fourth guide element that interacts with the second guide element, thereby allowing the slider (24) to move linearly relative to the body portion (18) in a second direction (62) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (12). And the first direction (56) is different from the second direction (62).

2. The tool holder (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, The first direction (56) is perpendicular to the second direction (62).

3. The tool holder (10) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The slider (24) includes an eyelet (50) for rotatably receiving the inner sleeve (22).

4. The tool holder (10) according to claim 3. Its features are, The centerline of the eyelet (50) in the slider (24) does not extend through the centroid of the slider (24).

5. The tool holder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The first guide element is a first groove or trough (52) formed in the body portion (18).

6. The tool holder (10) according to claim 5. Its features are, The third guide element includes a journal (28) which is fixedly attached to the inner sleeve (22) and coaxially arranged with the center line (35) of the tool fitting eye (34), whereby the journal is inserted into the first groove or trough (52) and guided within the first groove or trough (52).

7. The tool holder (10) according to claim 6. Its features are, The journal (28) is integrally formed with the inner sleeve (22).

8. The tool holder (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Its features are, The third guide element is formed by an insert element (70), which includes a slotted nut section (72) and a pivot section (74). Thus, the slotted nut section (72) has two opposing parallel sides (76, 77) guided within the first groove or accommodating groove (52), and Thus, the pivot section (74) protrudes into the tool fitting hole (34), thereby forming a pivot bearing.

9. The tool holder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The second guide element is a second groove (60) or accommodating groove formed in the body portion (18), whereby the slider (24) includes a flange portion (40) that provides two opposing parallel sides (44, 45) that are guided within the second groove (60) or accommodating groove.

10. The tool holder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The slider (24) includes a flange portion (40) that can be fixed to the body portion (18) by means of a threaded connection.

11. The tool holder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The slider (24) includes a shaft portion (38) in which at least one threaded hole (47) is provided in the radial direction about the axis of rotation (12) for receiving a clamping bolt (48) for fixing the material removal tool.

12. The tool holder (10) according to claim 11. Its features are, The inner sleeve (22) includes an opening (69) through the circumferential wall (36), the opening (69) being alignable with the threaded hole (47) for the clamping bolt (48) to pass through.

13. The tool holder (10) according to claim 12. Its features are, The orifice (69) is a slot extending in the circumferential direction.

14. The tool holder (10) according to claim 13. Its features are, The slot hole preferably extends longitudinally in the circumferential direction at an angle of at least 30°, preferably at least 60°, and at most 180°, preferably at most 120°.

15. A method for adjusting the drill bit diameter of a rotating material removal tool, said rotating material removal tool being mounted on a tool holder (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, The inner sleeve (22) rotates relative to the slider (24), thereby causing the inner sleeve (22) to move linearly relative to the body portion (18) in a first direction (56) perpendicular to the rotation axis (12), and causing the slider (24) to move linearly relative to the body portion (18) in a second direction (62) perpendicular to the rotation axis (12). And the first direction (56) is different from the second direction (62).

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