Cutting tool for forming fine powder and fine powder forming method

Abstract

To provide a cutting tool for forming fine powder and a fine powder forming method, capable of efficiently forming metal fine particles suitably used for molding (forming) as cutting powder for a cutting process.SOLUTION: In a cutting tool 10 for forming fine powder, for each of n (n≥2) comb-shaped blade rows 21 and 22, gaps b1 and b2 of comb-shaped blades 21a and 22a adjacent to each other in an axial direction are equal to a size of one blade width a2, a1 in the other comb-shaped blade rows (when n=2), or equal to a total size of one blade width of a comb-shaped blade in each of the other comb-shaped blade rows (when n≥3). In the fine power forming method, a tool rotation shaft in the cutting tool is rotated, and a workpiece is cut by a comb-shaped blade in one of the n (n≥2) comb-shaped blade rows. Then, projected parts remaining in the workpiece are continuously cut out by the comb-shaped blade in the other comb-shaped blade rows, and cutting powder is acquired as fine powder particles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1C

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting tool for forming fine powder and a method for forming fine powder. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a method for collecting cutting chips generated by cutting processing and separating metal particles (cutting powder) from the cutting chips. The separated metal particles (cutting powder) are mixed with resin and used in injection molding. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-206728 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the size and shape of the cutting chips (cutting powder) are not controlled during cutting processing, so it is necessary to separate (select) the desired cutting chips from the cutting chips. In addition, the separated cutting chips can only be used in a molding (shaping) method that is suitable for the size of the cutting chips. Furthermore, it is not possible to use all of the cutting chips for molding, and the yield of cutting chips is low.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cutting tool for forming fine powder and a method for forming fine powder, which can efficiently form metal particles suitable for use in molding (shaping) as cutting powder in cutting processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the cutting tool for forming fine powder of the present invention is a cutting tool for forming fine powder by cutting a metal workpiece, and has n (n≧2) comb blade rows in which a plurality of comb blades are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of a tool rotation shaft, the n (n≧2) comb blade rows are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the tool rotation shaft, and the axial positions of the comb blades of the n (n≧2) comb blade rows are offset from each other. In each of the n (n≧2) comb blade rows, the interval between adjacent comb blades in the axial direction is equal to the dimension of one blade width of the comb blade in the other comb blade rows (when n=2) or equal to the total dimension of one blade width of the comb blade in each of the other comb blade rows (when n≧3).

[0007] Furthermore, the fine powder forming method of the present invention is a method for forming fine powder by cutting the metal workpiece using the above-mentioned cutting tool, in which the tool rotation shaft is rotated, the workpiece is cut by the comb blades in one of the n (n≧2) comb blade rows, and then the convex portions remaining on the workpiece are continuously cut out by the comb blades in the other comb blade rows, and the cutting powder is obtained as fine powder particles. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, metal fine particles suitable for use in molding (shaping) can be efficiently formed as cutting powder in cutting work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a two-blade cutting tool according to an embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a two-blade cutting tool according to an embodiment. [Figure 1C] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram used to explain two comb blade rows in a two-blade cutting tool according to an embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a three-blade cutting tool according to an embodiment. [Figure 2B]FIG. 1 is a side view showing a three-blade cutting tool according to an embodiment. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram used to explain three comb blade rows in a three-blade cutting tool according to an embodiment. [Figure 3A] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a fine powder is formed by cutting a metal workpiece using a cutting tool according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a machined surface of a workpiece. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a workpiece is cut by the comb teeth in one comb tooth row. [Figure 4B] 4B is a schematic diagram showing how the convex portions remaining on the workpiece are continuously cut out by the comb blades of the other comb blade rows from the state shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. [Diagram 5] 10 is a schematic diagram used to explain two comb tooth rows in a two-blade cutting tool according to Modification 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which fine powder is formed according to Modification 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown here are merely illustrative in order to embody the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and do not limit the present invention. Therefore, all other embodiments, examples, and operational techniques that can be conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention are included in the scope and gist of the present invention, and are included in the scope of the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0011] In addition, for the convenience of illustration and ease of understanding, the drawings attached to this specification may be represented diagrammatically with the scale, aspect ratio, shape, etc. appropriately changed from the actual product; however, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention.

[0012] In this specification, ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", etc. may be used. However, unless otherwise specified, these ordinal numbers are used to identify components for the convenience of explanation, and do not specify the number or order.

[0013] <Embodiment> As shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 3A, a cutting tool 10 for forming fine powder according to an embodiment is a cutting tool for forming fine powder by cutting a machining surface Wa of a metal workpiece W. The fine metal powder (cutting powder) is used for molding and has a size of about several tens of micrometers. The fine metal powder (cutting powder) can be used, for example, as metal particles for 3D printing.

[0014] The cutting tool 10 has n (n≧2) comb blade rows 11 in which a plurality of comb teeth 12 are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of a tool rotation shaft 13. The n (n≧2) comb blade rows 11 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the tool rotation shaft 13. The n (n≧2) comb blade rows 11 have the axial positions of the comb teeth 12 offset from one another. In each of the n (n≧2) comb blade rows 11, the interval between adjacent comb teeth 12 in the axial direction is equal to the dimension of one tooth width of the comb teeth 12 in the other comb blade rows 11 (when n=2) or equal to the total dimension of one tooth width of the comb teeth 12 in each of the other comb blade rows 11 (when n≧3).

[0015] Further explanation will be given below by taking a two-blade cutting tool 20 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C) and a three-blade cutting tool 30 (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C) as examples.

[0016] (2-blade cutting tool 20) 1A, 1B, and 1C, a two-blade cutting tool 20 has two (n=2) comb blade rows 21, 22. Each of the two comb blade rows 21, 22 has a plurality of comb blades 21a, 22a arranged at intervals in the axial direction of a tool rotation shaft 23. For ease of explanation, the two comb blade rows 21, 22 are referred to as the "first comb blade row 21" and the "second comb blade row 22," respectively. The comb blade 21a of the first comb blade row 21 is referred to as the "first comb blade 21a," and the comb blade 22a of the second comb blade row 22 is referred to as the "second comb blade 22a."

[0017] The first comb blade row 21 and the second comb blade row 22 are arranged at an interval (180° in FIG. 1A) in the circumferential direction of the tool rotation shaft 23. The first comb blade row 21 and the second comb blade row 22 are offset in the axial direction between the first comb blade 21a and the second comb blade 22a (see FIG. 1C).

[0018] 1C indicates the edge width of one of the first comb teeth 21a in the first comb tooth row 21, and symbol a2 indicates the edge width of one of the second comb teeth 22a in the second comb tooth row 22. Symbol b1 indicates the interval between the first comb teeth 21a adjacent in the axial direction in the first comb tooth row 21, and symbol b2 indicates the interval between the second comb teeth 22a adjacent in the axial direction in the second comb tooth row 22. Symbol H indicates the height H of the comb teeth 12 (the first comb teeth 21a and the second comb teeth 22a).

[0019] In the first comb blade row 21, the interval b1 between adjacent first comb blades 21a in the axial direction is equal to the dimension of the blade width a2 of one of the second comb blades 22a in the other second comb blade row 22 (b1=a2). In addition, in the second comb blade row 22, the interval b2 between adjacent second comb blades 22a in the axial direction is equal to the dimension of the blade width a1 of one of the first comb blades 21a in the other first comb blade row 21 (b2=a1).

[0020] 1C, the dimension of one blade width of the comb blade 21a (22a) is equal to the dimension of one blade width of the comb blade 22a (21a) in the other comb blade row 22 (21). More specifically, in the first comb blade row 21, the dimension of one blade width a1 of the first comb blade 21a is equal to the dimension of one blade width a2 of the second comb blade 22a in the other second comb blade row 22 (a1=a2).

[0021] In the cutting tool 20 having the above dimensional relationship, the spacing b1 (b2) between the comb teeth 21a (22a) is an integer multiple m (m=1, b1=a2, b2=a1, a1=a2) of the blade width a1 (a2) of one of the comb teeth 21a (22a), and it can be said that the number of comb teeth rows 21, 22, which is 2, satisfies a multiple of (m+1).

[0022] (3-blade cutting tool 30) 2A, 2B, and 2C, a three-blade cutting tool 30 has three (n=3) comb blade rows 31, 32, and 33. Each of the three comb blade rows 31, 32, and 33 has a plurality of comb blades 31a, 32a, and 33a arranged at intervals in the axial direction of a tool rotation shaft 34. For ease of explanation, the three comb blade rows 31, 32, and 33 are referred to as the "first comb blade row 31," the "second comb blade row 32," and the "third comb blade row 33," respectively. The comb teeth 31a of the first comb tooth row 31 are referred to as "first comb teeth 31a", the comb teeth 32a of the second comb tooth row 32 are referred to as "second comb teeth 32a", and the comb teeth 33a of the third comb tooth row 33 are referred to as "third comb teeth 33a".

[0023] The first comb blade row 31, the second comb blade row 32, and the third comb blade row 33 are arranged at intervals (120° in FIG. 2A) in the circumferential direction of the tool rotation shaft 34. In the first comb blade row 31, the second comb blade row 32, and the third comb blade row 33, the axial position of the first comb blade 31a, the axial position of the second comb blade 32a, and the axial position of the third comb blade 33a are offset from each other (see FIG. 2C).

[0024] 2C, the reference character c1 indicates the edge width of one of the first comb blades 31a in the first comb blade row 31, the reference character c2 indicates the edge width of one of the second comb blades 32a in the second comb blade row 32, and the reference character c3 indicates the edge width of one of the third comb blades 33a in the third comb blade row 33. The reference character d1 indicates the interval between the first comb blades 31a adjacent in the axial direction in the first comb blade row 31, the reference character d2 indicates the interval between the second comb blades 32a adjacent in the axial direction in the second comb blade row 32, and the reference character d3 indicates the interval between the third comb blades 33a adjacent in the axial direction in the third comb blade row 33. The reference character H indicates the height H of the comb blades 12 (the first comb blade 31a, the second comb blade 32a, and the third comb blade 33a).

[0025] In the first comb blade row 31, the interval d1 between adjacent first comb blades 31a in the axial direction is equal to the sum of the edge width c2 of one of the second comb blades 32a in the other second comb blade row 32 and the edge width c3 of one of the third comb blades 33a in the third comb blade row 33 (d1=c2+c3). In the second comb blade row 32, the interval d2 between adjacent second comb blades 32a in the axial direction is equal to the sum of the edge width c1 of one of the first comb blades 31a in the other first comb blade row 31 and the edge width c3 of one of the third comb blades 33a in the third comb blade row 33 (d2=c1+c3). In addition, in the third comb blade row 33, the distance d3 between adjacent third comb blades 33a in the axial direction is equal to the sum of the blade width c1 of one of the first comb blades 31a in the other first comb blade row 31 and the blade width c2 of one of the second comb blades 32a in the second comb blade row 32 (d3 = c1 + c2).

[0026] 2C, the dimension of one blade width c1 (c2, c3) of the comb blade 31a (32a, 33a) is equal to the dimension of one blade width c2 (c1, c3) of the comb blade 32a (31a, 33a) in the other comb blade rows 32 (31, 33). More specifically, in the first comb blade row 31, the dimension of one blade width c1 of the first comb blade 31a is equal to the dimension of one blade width c2 of the second comb blade 32a in the other second comb blade row 32, and is equal to the dimension of one blade width c3 of the third comb blade 33a in the third comb blade row 33 (c1=c2, c1=c3). Therefore, in the second comb blade row 32, the dimension of one blade width c2 of the second comb blade 32a is equal to the dimension of one blade width c3 of the third comb blade 33a in the other third comb blade row 33 (c2=c3).

[0027] In the cutting tool 30 having the above dimensional relationship, the spacing d1 (d2, d3) between the comb teeth 31a (32a, 33a) is an integer m times (m=2, d1=c2+c3, d2=c1+c3, d3=c1+c2, c1=c2=c3) the blade width c1 (c2, c3) of one of the comb teeth 31a (32a, 33a), and it can be said that the number of comb tooth rows 31, 32, 33, which is 3, satisfies a multiple of (m+1).

[0028] (shape of comb teeth, etc.) As shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 2C, the comb teeth 12 (21a, 22a, 31a, 32a, 33a) have flat portions 12a at their tips. The blade widths a1, a2, c1, c2, and c3 refer to the widths of the flat portions 12a. The intervals (blade pitches) b1, b2, d1, d2, and d3 between the comb teeth 12 adjacent in the axial direction refer to the intervals between the adjacent flat portions 12a. When the comb teeth row 11 (21, 22, 31, 32, and 33) is manufactured, the comb teeth 12 may have minute rounded portions at the ends of the flat portions 12a in the width direction. The comb teeth 12 are set to have tolerances with respect to the reference dimensions. Due to these factors, the dimensional relationship between the intervals between the comb teeth 12 and the blade widths of the comb teeth 12 (e.g., b1=a2, d1=c2+c3, etc.) may not be satisfied. These dimensional relationships represent the conditions under which the comb teeth 12 can cut off the convex portions of the machined surface Wa without leaving any uncut portions. Therefore, even if the physical dimensional relationships are not satisfied, it must be understood that these dimensional relationships are satisfied as long as the comb teeth 12 can cut off the convex portions of the machined surface Wa without leaving any uncut portions.

[0029] A coating can be applied to the surface of the cutting tool 10 in order to improve the tool life. This prevents the cutting tool 10 from having to be replaced more frequently, and thus prevents an increase in tool costs. This in turn prevents an increase in the cost of fine powder particles.

[0030] (Fine powder formation method) As shown in Fig. 3A, fine powder is formed by cutting a metal workpiece W using a cutting tool 10 for forming fine powder according to the embodiment. In the method for forming fine powder according to the embodiment, a tool rotation shaft 13 is rotated, and the workpiece W is cut by the comb blades 12 in one of n (n≧2) comb blade rows 11, and then the convex parts remaining on the workpiece W are continuously cut out by the comb blades 12 in the other comb blade rows 11, to obtain cutting powder as fine powder particles. When cutting a machined surface Wa of the workpiece W, the cutting tool 10 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tool rotation shaft 13 while rotating the tool rotation shaft 13. The workpiece W is fixed.

[0031] The formation of the fine powder will be described using a dual-blade cutting tool 20 (see Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C).

[0032] Reference symbol L1 shown in Figures 3B and 4A indicates a line along which the first comb blade 21a of the first comb blade row 21 passes. Reference symbol L2 shown in Figures 3B and 4B indicates a line along which the second comb blade 22a of the second comb blade row 22 passes. The first comb blade 21a and the second comb blade 22a perform cutting at offset positions.

[0033] 3B, as the tool rotation shaft 23 rotates, the first comb blade 21a cuts the area indicated by the symbol e1 along the line L1. Thereafter, as the tool rotation shaft 23 rotates, the second comb blade 22a cuts the area indicated by the symbol f1 along the line L2. Thereafter, as the tool rotation shaft 23 rotates, the first comb blade 21a cuts the area indicated by the symbol e2, the second comb blade 22a cuts the area indicated by the symbol f2, the first comb blade 21a cuts the area indicated by the symbol e3, and the second comb blade 22a cuts the area indicated by the symbol f3, in this order.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4A, as the tool rotation shaft 23 rotates, the first comb blade 21a of the first comb blade row 21 cuts the workpiece W along the line L1, and obtains cutting powder 14a as fine powder particles. As shown in Fig. 4B, as the tool rotation shaft 23 rotates, the second comb blade 22a of the second comb blade row 22 continuously cuts out the convex portions remaining on the workpiece W along the line L2, and obtains cutting powder 14b as fine powder particles.

[0035] Although not shown, fine powder can be formed in the same manner when a three-blade cutting tool 30 (see Figs. 2A, 2B, and 2C) is used. More specifically, as the tool rotation shaft 34 rotates, the first comb blade 31a of the first comb blade row 31 cuts the workpiece W and obtains the cutting powder as fine powder particles. As the tool rotation shaft 34 rotates, the second comb blade 32a of the second comb blade row 32 continuously cuts out the convex parts remaining on the workpiece W and obtains the cutting powder as fine powder particles. Furthermore, as the tool rotation shaft 34 rotates, the third comb blade 33a of the third comb blade row 33 continuously cuts out the convex parts remaining on the workpiece W and obtains the cutting powder as fine powder particles.

[0036] As described above, in each of the n (n≧2) comb blade rows 11 in the cutting tool 10, the spacing between adjacent comb blades 12 in the axial direction is equal to the dimension of one blade width of the comb blades 12 in the other comb blade rows 11 (when n=2) or equal to the total dimension of one blade width of the comb blades 12 in each of the other comb blade rows 11 (when n≧3). In the method for forming fine powder using this cutting tool 10, the tool rotation shaft 13 is rotated, and after the workpiece W is cut by the comb blades 12 in one of the n (n≧2) comb blade rows 11, the convex portions remaining on the workpiece W are continuously cut out by the comb blades 12 in the other comb blade rows 11, to obtain cutting powders 14a, 14b as fine powder particles.

[0037] With this configuration, the comb blades 12 of the n (n≧2) comb blade rows 11 always cut only the convex portions of the machining surface Wa. The machining surface Wa is cut without leaving any uncut portions. Therefore, fine powder particles having a granular shape, such as particle size, can be obtained by a single cutting tool 10. The number of cutting tools 10 used for cutting is not increased, and an increase in tool costs can be suppressed. In addition, an increase in the cost of fine powder particles can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the cutting tool 10 for forming fine powder and the method for forming fine powder of the embodiment, metal fine particles suitable for use in molding (shaping) can be efficiently formed as cutting powders 14a, 14b in cutting processing.

[0038] In each of the n (n≧2) comb blade rows 11, the dimension of one blade width of the comb blade 12 is equal to the dimension of one blade width of the comb blade 12 in the other comb blade rows 11. With this configuration, the comb blades 12 cut out convex portions of the same size, which makes it possible to obtain fine powder particles with a uniform particle size.

[0039] When forming fine powder, the blade widths a1, a2, c1, c2, and c3 (see Figs. 1C and 2C) of the comb teeth 12 are aligned to the target particle size of the fine powder particles, and the workpiece W is cut. By configuring in this way, the blade width and interval (blade pitch) of the comb teeth 12 are aligned to the target particle size, and the widths of the cutting powders 14a and 14b are controlled. Therefore, fine powder particles having the target particle size can be obtained.

[0040] When forming fine powder, the workpiece W is cut with a cutting depth equal to or less than the height H (see Figs. 1C and 2C) of the comb blade 12. By configuring in this way, only the convex parts of the machined surface Wa are cut off, and fine powder particles with controlled shapes can be obtained.

[0041] (Variation 1) FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram used to explain two comb blade rows 41, 42 in a two-blade cutting tool 40 according to the first modified example.

[0042] In a cutting tool 10 according to an embodiment (see Figs. 1C and 2C), in each of n (n≧2) comb blade rows 11, the dimension of one edge width of the comb blade 12 is equal to the dimension of one edge width of the comb blade 12 in the other comb blade rows 11 (a1=a2, c1=c2=c3). The present invention is not limited to this case.

[0043] The dimension of one edge width of the comb teeth 12 in one comb tooth row 11 among the n (n≧2) comb tooth rows 11 can be different from the dimension of one edge width of the comb teeth 12 in the other comb tooth rows 11. A further explanation will be given taking a two-blade cutting tool 40 according to Modification 1 as an example.

[0044] 5, reference symbol g1 indicates the edge width of one of the first comb blades 41a in the first comb blade row 41, and reference symbol g2 indicates the edge width of one of the second comb blades 42a in the second comb blade row 42. Reference symbol h1 indicates the interval between the first comb blades 41a adjacent to each other in the axial direction in the first comb blade row 41, and reference symbol h2 indicates the interval between the second comb blades 42a adjacent to each other in the axial direction in the second comb blade row 42.

[0045] 5, in the two-blade cutting tool 40 according to the first modification, similarly to the two-blade cutting tool 20 according to the embodiment, the first comb blade row 41 has a spacing h1 between adjacent first comb blades 41a in the axial direction that is equal to the dimension of the edge width g2 of one of the second comb blades 42a in the other second comb blade row 42 (h1=g2). Also, in the second comb blade row 42, the spacing h2 between adjacent second comb blades 42a in the axial direction is equal to the dimension of the edge width g1 of one of the first comb blades 41a in the other first comb blade row 41 (h2=g1).

[0046] In the first comb blade row 41, the dimension of one blade width g1 of the first comb blade 41a is different from the dimension of one blade width g2 of the second comb blade 42a in the second comb blade row 42 (g1≠g2).

[0047] With this configuration, the comb blades 41a and 42a cut off convex portions of different sizes, thereby obtaining fine powder particles having a particle size distribution showing a double peak.

[0048] In addition, when the dimensions of the blade widths of three or more (n≧3) comb blade rows are different from each other (for example, c1≠c2, c1≠c3, c2≠c3), fine powder particles having a particle size distribution showing three or more peaks can be obtained. In addition, it is not limited to the case where the dimensions of all the blade widths are different from each other. There may be a set of blade widths with the same dimensions (for example, c1=c2, c1≠c3, c2≠c3).

[0049] (Variation 2) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing how fine powder is formed according to the second modification.

[0050] In the method for forming fine powder according to the embodiment (see FIG. 3A), the machined surface Wa of the workpiece W is cut without rotating the workpiece W. However, the present invention is not limited to this case.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 6, the workpiece W can be cut while being rotated. The cutting tool 10 cuts the machined surface Wa of the workpiece W while rotating the tool rotation shaft 13. As shown in the figure, the cutting tool 10 cuts the machined surface Wa in a state in which the comb teeth 12 of the comb tooth row 11 overlap the entire width of the machined surface Wa.

[0052] Such a configuration improves the efficiency of machining the machining surface Wa of the workpiece W by the cutting tool 10. This improves the production speed, and in turn reduces the cost of the fine powder particles.

[0053] The above describes embodiments and modifications of the cutting tool for forming fine powder and the method for forming fine powder of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configurations and can be modified as appropriate based on the description of the claims.

[0054] The following embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention: a method for forming a fine powder according to claim 5 having the features of claim 6; a method for forming a fine powder according to claim 5 or claim 6 having the features of claim 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 cutting tools 11 Comb row 12 Comb 12a Flat section 13 Tool rotation axis 14a, 14b Cutting powder 20 Two-blade cutting tool 21, 22 First and second comb rows 21a, 22a First and second comb teeth 23 Tool Rotation Axis 30 Three-blade cutting tool 31, 32, 33 First, second, and third comb rows 31a, 32a, 33a First, second, and third comb teeth 34 Tool Rotation Axis 40 Two-blade cutting tool 41, 42 First and second comb rows 41a, 42a First and second comb teeth L1 Line where the first comb passes L2 Line where the second comb passes W work Wa Processed surface a1, a2, c1, c2, c3, g1, g2 Comb width b1, b2, d1, d2, d3, h1, h2 Gang teeth spacing

Claims

1. 1. A cutting tool for forming a fine powder by cutting a metal workpiece, comprising: The tool has n (n≧2) comb blade rows in which a plurality of comb blades are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the tool rotation shaft, The n (n≧2) comb blade rows are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the tool rotation shaft, The n (n≧2) comb blade rows have the comb blades offset from one another in the axial direction, A cutting tool for forming fine powder, wherein each of the n (n≧2) comb blade rows has a spacing between adjacent comb blades in the axial direction equal to the dimension of one blade width of the comb blade in the other comb blade rows (when n=2) or equal to the total dimension of one blade width of the comb blade in each of the other comb blade rows (when n≧3).

2. 2. A cutting tool for forming fine powder according to claim 1, wherein in each of the n (n≧2) comb blade rows, the dimension of one blade width of the comb blade is equal to the dimension of one blade width of the comb blade in the other comb blade rows.

3. 2. A cutting tool for forming fine powder according to claim 1, wherein one of the n (n≧2) comb blade rows has a dimension of one blade width of the comb blade that is different from a dimension of one blade width of the comb blade in the other comb blade rows.

4. A method for forming fine powder by cutting a metal workpiece using the cutting tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the steps of: A method for forming fine powder, comprising: rotating the tool rotation shaft; cutting the workpiece with the comb blades in one of the n (n≧2) comb blade rows; and then continuously cutting out convex portions remaining on the workpiece with the comb blades in the other comb blade rows, thereby obtaining cutting powder as fine powder particles.

5. The method for forming fine powder according to claim 4, wherein the workpiece is cut by adjusting the width of the blade of the comb blade to a target particle size of the fine powder particles.

6. The method for producing fine powder according to claim 4, wherein the workpiece is cut with a cutting depth equal to or less than the height of the comb teeth.

7. The method for producing fine powder according to claim 4, wherein the workpiece is cut while being rotated.

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