Rotary cutting tool having an integrally formed axial adjustment tongue

Abstract

The rotary cutting tool (20) has an insert receiving pocket (30) in which a cutting insert (30) is removably fixed, and behind it, a recess side surface facing radially outward, and an adjustment recess having an adjustment tongue spaced therefrom by a first inner passage. The adjustment tongue (46) extends rearward from the tongue root to the tongue tip and includes a tongue through-hole. The tongue root has a shoulder surface facing forward, and the cutting insert contacts the shoulder surface. An adjustment screw (86) passes through the tongue through-hole and engages with the recess side surface, and rotation of the adjustment screw causes the cutting insert to move axially forward. A virtual straight line in the first inner passage intersects a recess rear end surface formed in a first body sub-part of the cutting body integrally formed with the adjustment tongue.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a rotary cutting tool having axial adjustment means, which is used in a metal cutting process, particularly a milling operation.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of rotary cutting tools used in milling operations, there are many examples of cutting bodies having at least one insert receiving pocket and a cutting insert removably fixed within the insert receiving pocket, and means for adjusting the axial position of the cutting insert are provided.

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 6,056,484 discloses an apparatus for adjusting the position of a cutting insert relative to the body of a cutting tool such as a milling cutter. This apparatus includes a cantilever wall integrally connected to the tool body, forming part of a pocket within the tool body and supporting the side surface of the insert, and a wedge mechanism for elastically bending the cantilever wall to adjust the position of the cutting edge of the insert relative to the tool body. The wedge mechanism may take the form of a screw engaged with the tool body, and this screw has a conical head engaged with the cantilever wall. As a result, when the screw is rotated, the conical wedge formed by the screw head bends the cantilever wall by a small distance. This apparatus has the advantage of enabling fine adjustment of the position of the cutting edge of the insert by simply turning one screw.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-155352 discloses a cutting edge adjustment mechanism including an adjustment member having a gap between the cutter body and the adjustment member, a connecting member for fixing the adjustment member to the cutter body, and an adjustment screw for applying a force to the input portion of the adjustment member. By the thrust of the adjustment screw, the input portion moves in the axial direction of the adjustment screw, elastically deforming the adjustment member around the connecting member. As a result, a cutting edge replaceable tip can be positioned on the displaced end face of the adjustment member.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 9,475,138 discloses a cutting tool having a central longitudinal axis and a tool body including an insert pocket having a bottom wall, a rear wall, and at least one side wall. A cantilever member is machined from the tool body and integrally formed with the tool body. The cantilever member extends from one of the walls of the insert pocket. An adjustment screw acts on the cantilever member to selectively adjust the position of a cutting insert mounted on the cantilever member relative to the central longitudinal axis of the cutting tool.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved rotary cutting tool having axial adjustment means.

[0007] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved rotary cutting tool that minimizes the risk of the cutting tip interfering with the axial adjustment means.

[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved rotary cutting tool that reduces the number of cutting body parts. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a rotary cutting tool rotatable about a tool axis in a rotational direction, the tool axis defining a forward direction and a rearward direction, and the rotary cutting tool comprising: a cutting body having a forward envelope surface and at least one insert receiving pocket formed in the forward envelope surface, the cutting body opening at a forward body end of the cutting body and having a cutting insert removably fixed therein; the forward envelope surface having an adjustment recess disposed axially rearward of the insert receiving pocket; the adjustment recess including a recess side surface facing radially outward and an adjustment tongue extending axially rearward from a tongue root to a tongue tip; the adjustment tongue being spaced from the recess side surface by a first inner passage, the tongue root having a shoulder surface facing forward and a pivot axis; The adjusting tongue has opposing radially inner tongue side surfaces and radially outer tongue side surfaces, and a tongue through-hole that extends between the radially inner tongue side surface and the radially outer tongue side surface and intersects the radially inner tongue side surface and the radially outer tongue side surface. The cutting insert is in clamping contact with the shoulder surface. An adjusting screw having an adjustment axis passes through the tongue through-hole, crosses the first inner passage, and engages with the recess side surface. By rotating the adjusting screw in a first adjustment direction around the adjustment axis, the adjusting tongue is caused to undergo rotational displacement around a pivot axis and axial displacement of the cutting insert in the forward direction. In a cross-section of the cutting tool along a radial plane that includes the tool axis and intersects the adjusting tongue, the first inner passage has a virtual first straight line disposed between the recess side surface and the radially inner side surface of the tongue, and the virtual first straight line intersects a recess rear end surface disposed axially rearward of the radially inner side surface of the tongue. The recess rear end surface is formed on a first body sub-part of the cutting body. The adjusting tongue is integrally formed on the first body sub-part and has a one-piece structure integral with the first body sub-part.

[0010] For a better understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the dashed lines represent the cutting boundaries of the partial views of the members.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] First, attention is paid to FIGS. 1 to 5 showing the rotary cutting tool 20 according to the present invention.

[0013] The rotary cutting tool 20 is rotatable in the rotational direction RD about the tool axis AT, and the tool axis AT defines the forward direction DF and the rearward direction DR.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the rotary cutting tool 20 includes a rotary cutting body 22 having a front envelope surface 24, and at least one insert receiving pocket 26 formed in the front envelope surface 24. The insert receiving pocket 26 opens at the front body end 28 of the cutting body 22, and a cutting insert 30 is removably fixed in the insert receiving pocket 26.

[0015] Since it is understood that the rotary cutting tool 20 and the cutting body 22 commonly have the tool axis AT and the rotational directions DF and DR, the tool axis AT may also be regarded as the body axis of the cutting body 22.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cutting body 22 is preferably manufactured from tool steel, and the cutting insert 30 is preferably manufactured from cemented carbide.

[0017] Also, in an embodiment of the present invention, the front envelope surface 24 may be cylindrical.

[0018] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the rotary cutting tool 20 may be used for milling operations.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, the front body end 28 may have an annular front body end face 32.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the front body end face 32 may define a body plane PB perpendicular to the tool axis AT.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the insert pocket 26 may have a first support surface 34 facing radially outward and a second support surface 36 intersecting the first support surface 34 and facing in the rotational direction RD.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first support surface 34 may be planar.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, in an end view of the cutting body 22, the front envelope surface 24 may define a virtual first circle C1 having a first body diameter DB1.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the virtual first circle C1 may have a center point that coincides with the tool axis AT.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the front envelope surface 24 has an adjustment recess 38 disposed axially rearward of the insert pocket 26.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the front envelope surface 24 may have a chip gullet 40 disposed rotationally forward of the insert pocket 26, and the chip gullet 40 may communicate with the insert pocket 26 and open at the front body end 28.

[0027] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the chip garget 40 is recessed in the front envelope surface 24 and spaced apart in the rotational direction from the adjustment recess 38 such that the chip garget 40 does not communicate directly with the adjustment recess 38. It should be noted that in such embodiments of the present invention, the chip garget 40 may overlap the adjustment recess 38 in a rotational projection about the tool axis AT.

[0028] Also, in certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the chip garget 40 may have a radially innermost garget point NGI disposed closer to the tool axis AT than any point on the first support surface 34 of the insert receiving pocket.

[0029] Furthermore, in certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, a front garget edge 42 may be formed at the intersection of the chip garget 40 and the front body end 28, and the radially innermost garget point NGI may be disposed along the front garget edge 42.

[0030] The adjustment recess 38 includes a recess side surface 44 facing radially outward and an adjustment tongue 46 extending axially rearward from the tongue root 48 to the tongue tip 50. Thus, the adjustment tongue 46 is mainly cantilevered and supported in the rearward direction DR.

[0031] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the tongue tip 50 may have a free end distal from the tongue root 48.

[0032] Also, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the tongue tip 50 may have a tip surface 52 facing the rearward direction DR.

[0033] In embodiments of the present invention where the adjustment recess 38 and its adjustment tongue 46 are disposed axially rearward of the insert receiving pocket 26, it should be understood that in order to achieve such an arrangement, it is advantageous to reduce the circumferential extent of the front envelope surface 24 of the cutting body. In fact, as shown in FIGS. 2-5, the adjustment recess 38 extends longer in the rearward direction DR than either in the circumferential direction (e.g., RD) or the radially inward direction from the insert receiving pocket 26.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the concave side surface 44 may extend radially outward as it extends axially rearward.

[0035] Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, the concave side surface 44 may be planar.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the adjustment tongue 46 is spaced from the concave side surface 44 by the first inner passage 54, and the tongue root 48 has a shoulder surface 56 facing in the forward direction DF and a pivot axis AP.

[0037] The adjustment tongue 46 is rotatably displaceable about the pivot axis AP.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pivot axis AP may be parallel to the first support surface 34.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pivot axis AP may be inclined with respect to the body plane PB.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pivot axis AP may form an acute pivot angle α1 of less than 15 degrees with the body plane PB, that is, α1 < 15°.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the end face projection of the cutting body 22, the pivot axis AP is a tangent to a virtual second circle C2 having a center point that coincides with the tool axis AT, and the contact point NT between the pivot axis AP and the virtual second circle C2 may be arranged rearward in the rotation direction of the associated adjustment tongue 46.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the cutting insert 30 has opposing first insert end faces 58 and second insert end faces 60 interconnected by a continuous peripheral surface 62, the peripheral surface 62 having opposing first insert side faces 64a, 64b spaced apart by a pair of opposing second insert side faces 66a, 66b, and at least one cutting edge 68a, 68b being formed at the intersection of the first insert end face 58 and the first insert side faces 64a, 64b.

[0043] In the case of the embodiment of the present invention having cutting edges 68a, 68b formed at the intersection lines of the first insert end face 58 and the respective first insert side faces 64a, 64b, as shown in FIG. 10, the cutting insert 30 may extend between the first insert end face 58 and the second insert end face 60 and may be indexable about an insert axis AI intersecting these.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the insert axis AI may be substantially parallel to the pivot axis AP.

[0045] Also, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first insert end face 58 and the second insert end face 60 may be the same.

[0046] In another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), cutting edges may be formed at the intersection lines of the first insert side faces 64a, 64b and the second insert side faces 66a, 66b, and the second insert side faces 66a, 66b and the first insert end face 58 and the second insert end face 60 may be the same.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, in a side view of the insert pocket 26, the adjustment tongue 46 has a maximum tongue width WT measured parallel to the pivot axis AP MAX and the cutting insert 30 has a maximum insert height HI measured parallel to the insert axis AI MAX thereof.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the maximum insert height HI MAX may be larger than the maximum tongue width WT MAX thereof.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the cutting insert 30 may have one active cutting edge 68a that defines a tool cutting diameter DTC when the cutting tool 20 rotates about the tool axis AT, and the tool cutting diameter DTC may be larger than the first body diameter DB1.

[0050] In certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the coolant duct 70 may extend inside the cutting body 22 and intersect the chip pocket 40 at the coolant outlet opening 72. In such embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the coolant flowing through the coolant duct 70 may be directed from the coolant outlet opening 72 to the working cutting edge 68a of the cutting insert.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the cutting insert 30 also includes an insert through-hole 74 having a through-hole axis ATB and a through-hole diameter DTB.

[0052] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the insert through-hole 74 may extend between and intersect the first insert side surfaces 64a, 64b. In other embodiments of the present invention (not shown), the insert through-hole 74 may extend between and intersect the first insert end face 58 and the second insert end face 60.

[0053] In embodiments of the present invention where the insert through-hole 74 intersects the first insert side surfaces 64a, 64b, the cutting insert 30 may be described as a tangential cutting insert. In such embodiments of the present invention, the through-hole axis ATB may be perpendicular to the insert axis AI, and the cutting insert 30 may be indexable about the through-hole axis ATB.

[0054] In embodiments of the present invention where the insert through-hole 74 intersects the first insert end face 58 and the second insert end face 60 (not shown), the cutting insert 30 may be described as a radial cutting insert.

[0055] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the cutting insert 30 may be clamped within the insert receiving pocket 26 by a clamp screw 76 that passes through the insert through-hole 74 and threadedly engages a threaded hole 78 within the insert receiving pocket 26.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, one of the first insert side surfaces 64a and 64b may be in clamp contact with the first support surface 34, and the second insert end surface 60 may be in clamp contact with the second support surface 36.

[0057] In the case of the embodiment of the present invention where the insert through hole 74 intersects the first insert side surfaces 64a and 64b, the screw hole 78 may be arranged on the first support surface 34.

[0058] In the case of the embodiment of the present invention where the insert through hole 74 intersects the first insert end surface 58 and the second insert end surface 60 (not shown), the screw hole 78 may be arranged on the second support surface 36.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the shoulder surface 56 crosses the first support surface 34, and one of the second insert side surfaces 66a and 66b is in clamp contact with the shoulder surface 56.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the adjustment tongue 46 has opposing radially inner tongue side surfaces 80 and radially outer tongue side surfaces 82, and a tongue through hole 84 that extends between them and intersects the radially inner tongue side surface 80 and the radially outer tongue side surface 82.

[0061] In an embodiment of the present invention, the tongue through hole 84 may be arranged between the tongue root 48 and the tongue tip 50.

[0062] Also, in an embodiment of the present invention, the tongue through hole 84 may extend rearward in the axial direction as it extends from the radially outer surface 82 to the radially inner surface 80, and this may be applied over the entire range of the rotational displacement of the adjustment tongue 46 around the pivot axis AP.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, the radially inner surface 80 of the adjustment tongue may face radially inward, and the radially outer surface 82 of the adjustment tongue may face radially outward.

[0064] In an embodiment of the present invention, the radially inner surface 80 of the tongue may be planar.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, an adjustment screw 86 having an adjustment axis AA passes through the tongue through-hole 84, crosses the first inner passage 54, and engages with the concave side surface 44.

[0066] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first screw end 87 of the adjustment screw 86 may have a screw socket that allows a torque key (not shown) to engage with the adjustment screw 86 and rotate the adjustment screw 86 around the adjustment axis AA.

[0067] By rotating the adjustment screw 86 in a first adjustment direction DA1 around the adjustment axis AA, the adjustment tongue 46 rotates and displaces around the turning axis AP, and the cutting insert 30 axially displaces in the forward direction DF. More specifically, when the adjustment tongue 46 rotates and displaces in a first turning direction around the turning axis AP, the first inner passage 44 expands, and as a result, the shoulder surface 56 axially displaces, and thus the cutting insert 30 also axially displaces in the forward direction DF.

[0068] It should be understood that the clamping screw 76 may provide the elasticity required for the axial displacement of the cutting insert 30 when an adjustment force is applied by the shoulder surface 56 of the adjustment tongue.

[0069] In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment tongue 46 may be elastically displaceable around the turning axis AP.

[0070] Also, in an embodiment of the present invention, threads may be provided in the tongue through-hole 84, the adjustment screw 86 may be threadedly engaged with the tongue through-hole 84, and may be engaged with the concave side surface 44 without threads. It should be understood that in such an embodiment of the present invention, the second screw end 89 of the adjustment screw 86, which is on the opposite side of the axial direction of the first screw end 87 along the adjustment axis AA, may abut and engage with the concave side surface 44.

[0071] In an embodiment of the present invention in which the tongue through-hole 84 extends axially rearward from the radially outer surface 82 to the radially inner surface 80, it should be understood that the cutting insert 30 may be clamped against the shoulder surface 56 of the adjusting tongue with high stability and good resistance to axial cutting forces.

[0072] In an embodiment of the present invention, it should be noted that before and after rotating the adjusting screw 86 in the first adjustment direction DA1, no part of the adjusting tongue 46 needs to be disposed radially outside the virtual cylinder defined by the first body diameter DB1.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, in a cross-section of the cutting tool 20 along a radial plane PR that includes the tool axis AT and intersects the adjusting tongue 46, the first inner passage 54 has a virtual first straight line L1 disposed between the recess side surface 44 and the radially inner surface 80 of the tongue, and the virtual first straight line L1 intersects the recess rear end surface 88 disposed axially rearward of the radially inner surface 80 of the tongue. In such an embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that the virtual first straight line L1 does not intersect the recess side surface 44 and the radially inner surface 80 of the tongue.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 6, in a cross-section of the cutting tool 20 along the radial plane PR, the virtual first straight line L1 may extend in a direction away from the tool axis AT in the rearward direction DR.

[0075] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, in a cross-section of the cutting tool 20 along the radial plane PR, the virtual first straight line L1 may form an acute recess angle β1 with the tool axis AT.

[0076] In an embodiment of the present invention, the recess angle β1 may have a range of 10 degrees to 45 degrees, that is, 10° ≤ β1 ≤ 45°.

[0077] In an embodiment of the present invention, the radial plane PR may intersect the tongue through-hole 84.

[0078] In the case of the embodiment of the present invention where the threaded hole 78 is disposed on the second support surface 36, the radial plane PR may intersect the insert through hole 74 and the threaded hole 78.

[0079] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the rear end surface 88 of the recess may be transverse to the side surface 44 of the recess.

[0080] In other embodiments of the present invention (not shown), the rear end surface 88 of the recess may intersect the side surface 44 of the recess.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 6-9, in the end face projection of the cutting body 22, the rear end face 88 of the recess may overlap the tip end face 52 of the tongue.

[0082] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the rear end surface 88 of the recess may intersect the front enveloping surface 24. In such embodiments of the present invention, the cylindrical front enveloping surface 24 having the first body diameter DB1 may extend axially rearward from the front body end 28 to at least the rear end surface 88 of the recess, and advantageously, it is to be understood that this provides a high level of rigidity to the cutting body 22, which is particularly important for a rotary cutting tool 20 with an extended length or a rotary cutting tool 20 assembled to an adapter with an extended length.

[0083] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the first passage plane PP1 may be disposed between the side surface 44 of the recess and the radially inner surface 80 of the tongue. It is to be understood that in such embodiments of the present invention, the first passing plane PP1 does not intersect the side surface 44 of the recess and the radially inner surface 80 of the tongue.

[0084] Also, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the virtual first straight line L1 may be included within the first passing plane PP1.

[0085] Pay attention to FIG. 7 showing a cross-section of the cutting tool 20 along the tongue plane PT that is perpendicular to the swivel axis AP and intersects the adjustment tongue 46 and the first passing plane PP1.

[0086] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the tongue plane PT may be perpendicular to the first passing plane PP1.

[0087] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, in any cross-section of the cutting tool 20 that is parallel to the tongue plane PT and intersects the adjusting tongue 46, the first passing plane PP1 may intersect the rear end face 88 of the recess.

[0088] In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment axis AA may be perpendicular to the first passing plane PP1.

[0089] In an embodiment of the present invention, the acute recess angle β1 may have a range of 10 degrees to 45 degrees, that is, 10 degrees ≤ β1 ≤ 45 degrees. It should be understood that the adjustment axis AA is perpendicular to the first passing plane PP1, and the cutting insert 30 may be clamped to the shoulder surface 56 of the adjusting tongue with high stability and good resistance to the axial cutting force.

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the rear end face 88 of the recess may be arranged axially rearward of the tongue tip 50.

[0091] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear end face 88 of the recess may be spaced apart from the tongue tip 50 by the first channel CH1.

[0092] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first channel CH1 may communicate with the first inner passage 54.

[0093] Also, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first channel CH1 may open to the front envelope surface 24.

[0094] According to the present invention, the rear end face 88 of the recess is formed in the first body sub-part 90 of the cutting body 22, and the adjusting tongue 46 is integrally formed in the first body sub-part 90 and has an integral one-piece structure.

[0095] Thanks to the swivel axis AP, the adjusting tongue 46 may be hingedly connected to the associated first body sub-part 90 by its tongue root 48.

[0096] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the first body sub - portion 90 may be manufactured at least in part by additive manufacturing, whereby the adjustment recess 38 and its adjustment tongue 46 may be formed simultaneously.

[0097] Advantages of simultaneously manufacturing the adjustment recess 38 and its adjustment tongue 46 include reducing the number of cutting body parts and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0098] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the insert receiving pocket 26 may be integrally formed in the first body sub - portion 90 and have an integral one - piece structure. It should be understood that in such embodiments of the present invention, both the adjustment tongue 46 and the insert receiving pocket 26 may be integrally formed in the first body sub - portion 90 and have an integral one - piece structure.

[0099] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cutting body 22 may have a plurality of insert receiving pockets 26 circumferentially spaced around the tool axis AT. In such embodiments of the present invention, the cutting body 22 may have the same number of adjustment recesses 38 circumferentially spaced around the tool axis AT.

[0100] In embodiments of the present invention where each adjustment recess 38 and its adjustment tongue 46 are disposed axially rearward of the axis of the associated insert receiving pocket 26, a number of insert receiving pockets 26 and cutting inserts 30 may be circumferentially arranged around the front envelope surface 24 of the cutting body, and it should be understood that the rotary cutting tool 20 may be particularly suitable for micro - milling operations.

[0101] It should also be understood that by axially moving the cutting inserts 30 in the forward direction DF, axial alignment of their active cutting edges 68a can be performed, facilitating a smooth surface finish of the workpiece during the milling operation.

[0102] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the rotary cutting tool 20 includes N insert receiving pockets 26 and the same number of tangential cutting inserts 30 having a through-hole diameter DTB greater than 4.0 mm, where N is an integer and N is at least 10 percent of the tool cutting diameter DTC, i.e., N ≧ 0.10 * DTC.

[0103] In embodiments of the present invention where the cutting body 22 has a plurality of insert receiving pockets 26 circumferentially spaced about the tool axis AT, the cutting body 22 may have the same number of first body sub-parts 90 circumferentially spaced about the tool axis AT.

[0104] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of first body sub-parts 90 may be integrally formed such that the cutting body 22 has a one-piece structure as a whole.

[0105] Also, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the entire cutting body 22 may be at least partially manufactured by additive manufacturing, whereby the plurality of first body sub-parts 90 may be formed simultaneously.

[0106] In other embodiments of the present invention (not shown), each first body sub-part 90 may have the form of a cartridge that can be removably fixed.

[0107] In embodiments of the present invention where the cutting body 22 has a plurality of insert receiving pockets 26, the cutting body 22 may include a plurality of chip galleys 40 and a plurality of coolant ducts 70. In such embodiments of the present invention, additional advantages of manufacturing the entire cutting body 22 by additive manufacturing include improved design flexibility of the path of each coolant duct and reduction in the number of related manufacturing steps.

[0108] In certain embodiments of the present invention, each first body sub-part 90 may be circumferentially delimited by two circumferentially adjacent chip galleys 40.

[0109] In the case of an embodiment of the present invention in which the cutting body 22 has a plurality of coolant ducts 70, the cutting body 22 may include an annular coolant chamber 91 having a relatively large volume that communicates with the plurality of coolant ducts 70. In such an embodiment of the present invention, as an additional advantage by manufacturing the entire cutting body 22 by additive manufacturing, it can be mentioned that the weight of the entire cutting body 22 is reduced.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 3, the adjusting tongue 46 may have a tongue leading surface 92 facing in the rotational direction RD.

[0111] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the adjusting recess 38 may be delimited by a recess leading wall 94 facing opposite to the rotational direction RD.

[0112] In an embodiment of the present invention, the recess leading wall 94 may be transverse to the recess side surface 44.

[0113] Also, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first passage plane PP1 may intersect the recess leading wall 94.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 3, the recess leading wall 94 may be spaced from the tongue tip surface 92 by the second channel CH2. In such an embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that the recess leading wall 94 may overlap the tongue leading surface 92 in a rotational projection centered on the tool axis AT.

[0115] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second channel CH2 may communicate with the first inner passage 54.

[0116] Also, in an embodiment of the present invention, the second channel CH2 may open to the front envelope surface 24.

[0117] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the second channel CH2 may communicate with the first channel CH1.

[0118] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the second channel CH2 has a maximum second channel width WC2 of less than 1.5 mmMAX may also have.

[0119] The second channel CH2 has a maximum second channel width WC2 of less than 1.5 mm MAX In the case of the embodiment of the present invention having, it should be understood that the risk that the cutting tip enters the adjustment recess 38 and hinders the rotational displacement of the adjustment tongue 46 is minimized.

[0120] Also, it should be understood that each chip gullet 40 does not communicate directly with the second channel CH2 adjacent in the circumferential direction.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 3, the adjustment tongue 46 may have a tongue trailing surface 96 facing opposite to the rotational direction RD.

[0122] In an embodiment of the present invention, the maximum tongue width WT MAX should be understood to be measurable between the tongue leading surface 92 and the tongue trailing surface 96.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 3, the adjustment recess 38 may be delimited by a recess trailing wall 98 facing the rotational direction RD.

[0124] In an embodiment of the present invention, the recess trailing wall 98 may be transverse to the recess side surface 44.

[0125] Also, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first passage plane PP1 may intersect the recess trailing wall 98.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 3, the recess trailing wall 98 may be spaced apart from the tongue rear surface 96 by the third channel CH3. In such an embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that the recess trailing wall 98 may overlap the tongue trailing surface 96 in a rotational projection centered on the tool axis AT.

[0127] In an embodiment of the present invention, the third channel CH3 may communicate with the first inner passage 54.

[0128] In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the third channel CH3 may open to the front envelope surface 24.

[0129] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the third channel CH3 may communicate with the first channel CH1.

[0130] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the third channel CH3 may have a maximum third channel width WC3 of less than 1.5 mm MAX and may have.

[0131] In the case of an embodiment of the present invention where the third channel CH3 has a maximum third channel width WC3 of less than 1.5 mm MAX it should be understood that the risk of the cutting tip entering the adjustment recess 38 and interfering with the rotational displacement of the adjustment tongue 46 is minimized.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 3, the shoulder surface 56 may extend parallel to the axis of rotation AP between the tongue trailing surface 96 and the tongue leading surface 92.

[0133] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the shoulder surface 56 may extend axially forward as it extends toward the tongue leading surface 92.

[0134] In an embodiment of the present invention, the shoulder surface 56 may be a plane.

[0135] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, in any cross-section of the cutting tool 20 parallel to the tongue plane PT and intersecting the adjustment tongue portion 46, the first passage plane PP1 may intersect the recess front end face 100 disposed axially forward of the recess rear end face 88.

[0136] In an embodiment of the present invention, the recess front end face 100 may be formed in the second inner passage 102 of the first body sub-part 90 communicating with the first inner passage 54.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 7, in the cross-section of the cutting tool 20 along the tongue plane PT, the second inner passage 102 may extend laterally with respect to the first passage plane PP1.

[0138] In certain embodiments of the present invention, at least a portion of the second inner passage 102 may have an undercut in a direction parallel to the first passage plane PP1.

[0139] When the term "undercut" is used throughout this description and the claims, it refers to the configuration of the second inner passage 102 in which a virtual straight line extending parallel to the first passage plane PP1 from that particular sub-surface intersects another sub-surface thereof.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 7, in a cross-section of the cutting tool 20 along the tongue plane PT, the axis of rotation AP may be disposed between the second inner passage 102 and the shoulder surface 56.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting body 22 may have a rear envelope surface 104 extending rearward from the front envelope surface 24.

[0142] In certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the rear envelope surface 104 may be tapered in the rearward direction DR.

[0143] Also, in certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the rear envelope surface 104 may intersect a rear body end face 106 having a second body diameter DB2 that is smaller than the first body diameter DB1. It should be understood that in such embodiments of the present invention, the rotary cutting tool 20 may be suitable for performing milling operations on a workpiece with restricted access, such as, for example, under a protruding shoulder.

[0144] Furthermore, in certain embodiments of the present invention, no portion of the rear envelope surface 104 need be disposed radially outside of the virtual cylinder defined by the first body diameter DB1. It should be understood that in such embodiments of the present invention, the rotary cutting tool 20 may be suitable for performing milling operations at a cutting depth not restricted by the cutting tool 20.

[0145] Although the present invention has been described in some detail, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed below.

Claims

1. A rotary cutting tool (20) that is rotatable in the rotational direction (RD) about the tool axis (AT), The tool axis (AT) defines the forward direction (DF) and the backward direction (DR), and the rotary cutting tool (20) is A cutting body (22) having a front enveloping surface (24) and at least one insert receiving pocket (26) formed in the front enveloping surface (24), wherein the insert receiving pocket (26) opens at the front body end (28) of the cutting body (22), and a cutting insert (30) is removably fixed within the insert receiving pocket (26), the cutting body (22) comprises The front enveloping surface (24) also has an adjustment recess (38) located axially rear of the insert receiving pocket (26), The adjustment recess (38) includes a recessed side surface (44) facing radially outward, and an adjustment tongue (46) extending axially rearward from the base of the tongue (48) to the tip of the tongue (50). The adjustment tongue (46) is separated from the recessed side surface (44) by a first inner passage (54), and the tongue base (48) has a shoulder surface (56) facing the forward direction (DF) and a pivot axis (AP), The adjustment tongue (46) has opposing radially inner tongue surfaces (80) and radially outer tongue surfaces (82), and a tongue through-hole (84) that extends between the radially inner tongue surfaces (80) and the radially outer tongue surfaces (82) and intersects with the radially inner tongue surfaces (80) and the radially outer tongue surfaces (82), The cutting insert (30) makes clamping contact with the shoulder surface (56), An adjustment screw (86) having an adjustment axis (AA) passes through the tongue through hole (84), crosses the first inner passage (54), and engages with the recessed side surface (44), By rotating the adjustment screw (86) in the first adjustment direction (DA1) around the adjustment axis (AA), a rotational displacement of the adjustment tongue (46) around the pivot axis (AP) and an axial displacement of the cutting insert (30) in the forward direction (DF) are caused. In a cross-section of the cutting tool (20) along a radial plane (PR) that encompasses the tool axis (AT) and intersects the adjustment tongue (46), the first inner passage (54) has a virtual first straight line (L1) positioned between the recessed side surface (44) and the radially inner side surface (80) of the tongue, and the virtual first straight line (L1) intersects the recessed rear end surface (88) positioned axially behind the radially inner side surface (80) of the tongue. The rear end surface of the recess (88) is formed on the first body sub-part (90) of the cutting body (22), The adjusting tongue (46) is integrally formed with the first main body sub-part (90), and the cutting tool (20) has a one-piece structure that is integrated with the first main body sub-part (90).

2. The cutting tool (20) according to claim 1, wherein the rear end surface of the recess (88) is positioned axially rearward of the tip of the tongue (50).

3. The aforementioned front envelope surface (24) is cylindrical, In an end-face view of the cutting body (22), the front envelope surface (24) defines a virtual first circle (C1) having a first body diameter (DB1), as described in claim 1, the cutting tool (20).

4. The cutting insert (30) has one working cutting edge (68a) that defines the cutting diameter (DTC) of the cutting tool (20) when it rotates around the tool axis (AT), The cutting tool (20) according to claim 3, wherein the cutting diameter (DTC) of the tool is larger than the first body diameter (DB1).

5. In the cross-section of the cutting tool (20) along the radial plane (PR), the virtual first straight line (L1) forms an acute concave angle (β1) with respect to the tool axis (AT). The cutting tool (20) according to claim 1, wherein the recess angle (β1) is in the range of 10 to 45 degrees.

6. The cutting tool (20) according to claim 1, wherein the radial plane (PR) intersects the tongue through hole (84).

7. A first passage plane (PP1) is positioned between the recessed side surface (44) and the radially inner surface (80) of the tongue. A tongue plane (PT) perpendicular to the pivot axis (AP) intersects the adjustment tongue (46) and the first passage plane (PP1), The cutting tool (20) according to claim 1, wherein in any cross-section of the cutting tool (20) parallel to the tongue plane (PT) and intersecting the adjustment tongue (46), the first passage plane (PP1) intersects the recess rear end face (88).

8. The cutting tool (20) according to claim 7, wherein the adjustment axis (AA) is perpendicular to the first passage plane (PP1).

9. The cutting tool (20) according to claim 7, wherein in any cross-section of the cutting tool (20) parallel to the tongue plane (PT) and intersecting the adjustment tongue (46), the first passing plane (PP1) intersects the front end surface (100) of the recess, which is located axially forward of the rear end surface (88) of the recess.

10. The front end surface of the recess (100) is formed in the second inner passage (102) of the first main body sub-part (90) which communicates with the first inner passage (54), In the cross-section of the cutting tool (20) along the tongue plane (PT), the second inner passage (102) extends laterally with respect to the first passage plane (PP1), The cutting tool (20) according to claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the second inner passage (102) has an undercut in a direction parallel to the first passage plane (PP1).

11. The cutting body (22) has a plurality of insert receiving pockets (26) arranged circumferentially at intervals around the tool axis (AT), The cutting tool (20) according to claim 1, wherein the cutting body (22) has an equal number of first body sub-parts (90) arranged at circumferential intervals around the tool axis (AT).

12. The cutting tool (20) according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of first body sub-parts (90) are integrally formed so that the entire cutting body (22) has an integrated one-piece structure.

13. The tongue through hole (84) is provided with screw threads. The cutting tool (20) according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment screw (86) engages with the tongue through hole (84) with a screw and engages with the recessed side surface (44) without a screw.

14. The rear end surface of the recess (88) is separated from the tip of the tongue (50) by the first channel (CH1), The cutting tool (20) according to claim 1, wherein the first channel (CH1) communicates with the first inner passage (54).

15. The cutting tool (20) according to claim 14, wherein the first channel (CH1) opens to the front envelope surface (24).

16. The cutting tool (20) according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment recess (38) is separated by a recessed wall (98) facing the rotational direction (RD).

17. The cutting tool (20) according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment tongue (46) has a tongue leading surface (92) facing the rotational direction (RD).

18. The adjustment recess (38) is separated by a recess leading wall (94) facing the opposite direction of rotation (RD), The recessed leading wall (94) is separated from the tongue leading surface (92) by the second channel (CH2), The second channel (CH2) has a maximum second channel width (WC2) of less than 1.5 mm. ＭＡＸ The cutting tool (20) according to claim 17, having ).

19. The second channel (CH2) is in communication with the first inner passage (54), The cutting tool (20) according to claim 18, wherein the second channel (CH2) is open to the front envelope surface (24).

20. The front enveloping surface (24) has a tip gullet (40) positioned forward in the rotational direction from the insert receiving pocket (26), The chip gullet (40) communicates with the insert receiving pocket (26) and is open at the front body end (28), The cutting tool (20) according to claim 1, wherein the tip gullet (40) is spaced apart in the rotational direction from the adjustment recess (38).

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