A coolant-through tool that allows for secure positioning.

Abstract

We provide a coolant-through tool that achieves both coolant supply and robust positioning capabilities. [Solution] The coolant-through tool comprises a collet 10, a cutting tool 20, a positioning pin 30, and an operating member 40. The collet has a body portion 11, a guide groove 12, a positioning channel 13, a plurality of slots 14, and a plurality of coolant passages 15. The guide groove extends from the front end of the body portion. The positioning channel has an extended portion that extends circumferentially from the guide groove and an engaging portion that extends axially from the extended portion and tapers from the outer circumferential surface of the body portion toward the inner circumferential surface. Each coolant passage is located between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces and extends from the corresponding slot to the front end of the body portion. When the cutting tool is inserted into the collet, the positioning pin moves along the guide groove and positioning channel and engages with the engaging portion via the operating member, firmly positioning the tool.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a component of a machine tool, and more particularly to a coolant-through tool that can be firmly positioned.

Background Art

[0002] In many cases, a cutting tool is attached to the spindle of a machine tool by a combination of a holder body, a collet, and a nut. First, the cutting tool is attached to the collet, and then the holder body is assembled to these. Thereafter, the holder body and the collet are tightened by a nut to stabilize them. Further, in order to improve stability and mounting efficiency, a positioning mechanism may be provided between the collet and the cutting tool.

[0003] In a conventional tool having a positioning function, for example, a positioning pin is provided on the cutting tool, and a guide groove extending in the axial direction and a positioning groove extending in the circumferential direction are formed in the collet. When attaching the cutting tool to the collet, the positioning pin enters the guide groove and moves along it. Thereafter, by rotating the cutting tool and causing the positioning pin to enter the positioning groove, the cutting tool and the collet can be axially positioned.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the above-described conventional tools have the following drawbacks. 1. If the cutting tool vibrates with respect to the collet during machining, the positioning pin may return from the positioning groove to the guide groove, and the positioning function may be lost. 2. In addition to the guide groove and the positioning groove for positioning, slots for enhancing flexibility are also formed in the collet. Therefore, if a coolant flow path is machined from the rear end to the front end of the collet, not only will the manufacturing cost become too high, but the collet may also have insufficient strength.

[0005] The primary objective of this invention is to provide a coolant-through tool that achieves both a coolant supply function and a robust positioning function without excessively increasing manufacturing costs, while also possessing sufficient structural strength. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A robust, positionable coolant-through tool comprises a collet, a cutting tool (cutting portion), a positioning pin, and an actuation member. The collet has a body, a guide groove, a positioning channel, multiple slots, and multiple coolant passages. The body is cylindrical and has a front end, a rear end opposite the front end, an outer circumferential surface, and an inner circumferential surface. The guide groove is formed on the inner circumferential surface and extends from the front end to the rear end of the body. The positioning channel is formed through the body from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface and has an extended portion and an engaging portion. The extended portion extends from the guide groove in the circumferential direction of the body. The engaging portion extends from the extended portion in the axial direction of the body and tapers from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface. Multiple slots are formed through the body and extend toward the front and rear ends of the body and are arranged around the axis of the body. Each of the multiple coolant passages is located between the outer and inner circumferential surfaces of the body and extends from each of the multiple slots toward the front end of the body and is inclined toward the inner circumferential surface. The cutting tool is inserted into the collet from the front end of the main body. The positioning pin protrudes from the outer circumference of the cutting tool and is configured to move along the guide groove when the cutting tool is inserted into the collet, and to enter the extended portion from the guide groove and move along it when the cutting tool rotates relative to the collet. The actuator is connected to the main body of the collet and is configured to press the cutting tool along the axial direction of the main body so as to engage the positioning pin with the engaging portion of the positioning channel.

[0007] Other purposes, advantages, and novel features of this invention will become clearer from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1]This is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the coolant-through tool according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the collet in a coolant-through tool. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the collet. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the assembly process for the coolant-through tool. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the assembly process for the coolant-through tool. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the assembly process for the coolant-through tool. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged view of the circular region C in Figure 7. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 6. [Figure 10] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the coolant-through tool attached to the holder body. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a rigidly positionable coolant-through tool comprises a collet 10, a cutting tool 20, a positioning pin 30, and an actuator 40. The cutting tool 20 is inserted into the collet 10. The positioning pin 30 is positioned on the cutting tool 20, and the actuator 40 is connected to the collet 10.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the collet 10 has a body portion 11, a guide groove 12, and a positioning channel 13. The body portion 11 is cylindrical and has a front end 111, a rear end 112 opposite the front end 111, an outer circumferential surface 113, and an inner circumferential surface 114. The guide groove 12 is formed as a recess in the inner circumferential surface 114 and extends from the front end 111 to the rear end 112 of the body portion 11. The positioning channel 13 penetrates the body portion 11 from the outer circumferential surface 113 to the inner circumferential surface 114 and communicates with the guide groove 12.

[0011] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the positioning channel 13 has an extended portion 131 and an engaging portion 132. The extended portion 131 is an elongated hole that extends from the guide groove 12 along the circumferential direction of the main body portion 11. The engaging portion 132 extends slightly from the extended portion 131 along the axial direction D of the main body portion 11. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the positioning pin 30 protrudes from the outer circumference of the cutting tool 20. When the cutting tool 20 is inserted into the collet 10, the positioning pin 30 moves along the guide groove 12 and the positioning channel 13.

[0012] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when assembling the collet 10 and the cutting tool 20, the cutting tool 20 is inserted into the main body 11 from the front end 111 side. At this time, the positioning pin 30 enters the guide groove 12, moves along the guide groove 12, and reaches the intersection of the guide groove 12 and the positioning channel 13. Subsequently, when the cutting tool 20 and the collet 10 are rotated relative to each other, the positioning pin 30 enters the extended portion 131 and moves along the extended portion 131.

[0013] As shown in Figure 6, when the positioning pin 30 is moved to the intersection of the extended portion 131 and the engaging portion 132, the operating member 40 is operated to push in the cutting tool 20, thereby engaging the positioning pin 30 with the engaging portion 132. Preferably, the operating member 40 has a cap 41 and a screw 42. The cap 41 is connected to the rear end 112 of the main body portion 11. The screw 42 is screwed into the cap 41 and is movable axially D relative to the cap 41 by rotation, so the screw 42 presses against the cutting tool 20, thereby engaging the positioning pin 30 with the engaging portion 132.

[0014] Specifically, the engaging portion 132 has a shape that tapers from the outer circumferential surface 113 to the inner circumferential surface 114 of the main body portion 11. As shown in Figure 8, the gap G between the side surface of the engaging portion 132 and the positioning pin 30 narrows from the outer circumferential surface 113 to the inner circumferential surface 114. This allows for a compact design of the width of the engaging portion 132 and the positioning pin 30 on the inner circumferential surface 114.

[0015] For example, the width of the positioning pin 30 is 3 millimeters, and the width of the engaging portion 132 is designed to be in the range of 3.01 to 3.015 millimeters on the inner peripheral surface 114. Therefore, the gap G between the positioning pin 30 and the engaging portion 132 on the inner peripheral surface 114 is only 5 to 7 micrometers. Since the positioning pin 30 and the engaging portion 132 are in close contact, the engagement is stable, and the swing range between the cutting tool 20 and the collet 10 is reduced, thereby ensuring the positioning accuracy.

[0016] Also, due to the taper structure, the gap G between the positioning pin 30 and the engaging portion 132 is still sufficiently large at positions other than the outer peripheral surface 113 and the inner peripheral surface 114. When the positioning pin 30 engages with the engaging portion 132, friction and interference are less likely to occur between the two.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 9, the collet 10 is provided with a plurality of slots 14 and a plurality of coolant flow paths 15. Each slot 14 penetrates from the outer peripheral surface 113 of the main body portion 11 to the inner peripheral surface 114 and extends toward the front end 111 and the rear end 112. The plurality of slots 14 are arranged around the axis of the main body portion 11. Each coolant flow path 15 is located between the outer peripheral surface 113 and the inner peripheral surface 114 and inclines toward the inner peripheral surface 114 as it extends from each of the plurality of slots 14 toward the front end 111 of the main body portion 11.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 10, in use, after assembling the collet 10 and the cutting tool 20, the coolant through tool is attached to the holder body 50 and mounted on the spindle of the machine tool via the holder body 50. Specifically, the collet 10 and the cutting tool 20 are inserted together into the holder body 50, and then the nut 60 is connected to the holder body 50. The collet 10 is fixed through the corresponding structure of the holder body 50 and the nut 60, and by tightening the cutting tool 20, these components can be attached stably and integrally.

[0019] In the through-coolant design, an internal flow path 51 and a connector 52 are provided in the holder body 50. When the coolant enters the holder body 50, it flows around the collet 10 through the internal flow path 51 and the connector 52 and enters a plurality of slots 14. The coolant may flow from the plurality of slots 14 into the inside of the collet 10 to cool the portion corresponding to the cutting tool 20 inserted into the collet 10, or may flow from the slots 14 to the coolant flow path 15. As shown in FIG. 9, since the coolant flow path 15 is inclined toward the inner circumferential surface 114, the coolant is jetted from there to the contact position between the cutting tool 20 and the workpiece (workpiece member), which serves as another cooling means.

[0020] Due to the above technical features, the through-coolant tool in the present invention exhibits the following effects. 1. Due to the design related to the operating member 40 and the engaging portion 132, the engaging portion 132 extending axially of the positioning pin 30 can be engaged. The positioning pin 30 can be prevented from retreating from the positioning channel 13 to the guide groove 12 due to vibration, and firm positioning can be achieved.

[0021] 2. By making the engaging portion 132 tapered, the positioning pin 30 and the engaging portion 132 can be compactly configured on the inner circumferential surface 114. As a result, the engagement stability is improved, the circumferential sway width of the cutting tool 20 with respect to the collet 10 can be reduced, and the machining accuracy is improved. Further, in portions other than the inner circumferential surface 114, sufficient space can be ensured for the positioning pin 30 and the engaging portion 132 to smoothly engage without causing severe friction or interference.

[0022] 3. Since a plurality of coolant flow paths 15 extend from the slots 14 originally designed in the elastic collet 10, the coolant flow path system can be completed without excessive machining. The collet 10 can maintain sufficient structural strength without excessive increase in manufacturing cost.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 9, each coolant flow path 15 preferably has an outlet channel 151 and an outlet groove 152. The outlet groove 152 is a recess formed in the front end 111 of the main body 11. The outlet channel 151 extends from the corresponding slot 14 to the bottom surface of the outlet groove 152 and is connected to the interior of the outlet groove 152. The cross-sectional area inside the outlet groove 152 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet channel 151. The coolant that has flowed sequentially through the slot 14 and the outlet channel 151 is ejected from the outlet groove 152, which has a larger cross-sectional area. This expands the range of coolant ejection, allowing it to cover a wider area on the cutting tool 20, thus further enhancing the cooling effect.

[0024] Referring to Figures 3 and 9, each coolant flow path 15 further has two recesses 153 at the bottom of the outlet groove 152. The two recesses 153 extend from both sides of the outlet channel 151 in opposite directions. The coolant can be dispersed into the two recesses 153 before entering the outlet groove 152 from the outlet channel 151. Even when the internal pressure of the outlet channel 151 is high, the coolant is reliably dispersed by the two recesses 153, making it less likely for the coolant to be ejected in a concentrated, linear manner from the outlet channel 151. The effect of expanding the coolant ejection range described above can still be obtained.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 9, and 10, the collet 10 is provided with multiple coolant inlets 16. The multiple coolant inlets 16 penetrate from the outer circumferential surface 113 to the inner circumferential surface 114 of the main body 11 and are positioned closer to the rear end 112 than to the front end 111. Each coolant inlet 16 communicates with each of the multiple slots 14. This allows coolant to enter the slots 14 from both the outer circumferential surface 113 and the corresponding coolant inlet 16. Therefore, sufficient coolant can flow into the collet 10. The coolant flows directly into the collet 10 from the coolant inlets 16 to cool the cutting tool 20.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 9, the collet 10 is preferably a straight collet, and specifically, the main body 11 preferably has a cylindrical portion 115 and a flange portion 116 connected to each other along the axial direction D. The flange portion 116 is located at the front end 111 and has a larger outer diameter than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 115. Multiple slots 14 pass through the cylindrical portion 115, and multiple coolant passages 15 extend from the cylindrical portion 115 to the flange portion 116. Since the coolant passages 15 can be formed by drilling from the side of the thicker and stronger flange portion 116, the main body 11 can maintain sufficient structural strength.

[0027] As shown in Figure 9, it is preferable that a first flow path 21 is formed in the axial direction of the cutting tool 20. A second flow path 43 is also provided so as to pass through the screw 42 of the operating member 40. When the screw 42 is rotated and moved relative to the cap 41 and brought into contact with the cutting tool 20, the second flow path 43 communicates with the first flow path 21. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10, the coolant flows sequentially through the connector 52, the second flow path 43, and the first flow path 21, and is discharged from the contact point between the cutting tool 20 and the workpiece, or from another location depending on the detailed design of the cutting tool 20. This provides an alternative cooling means different from the slot 14 and the coolant flow path 15.

[0028] While the structural and feature details of this invention, as well as numerous features and advantages thereof, have been described in the preceding description, this disclosure is merely an example. Within the scope of the principles of this invention, modifications may be made, particularly in terms of shape, dimensions, and the arrangement of components, to the maximum extent indicated by the broad and general meanings of the terms used in the appended claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0029] 10 Collet, 11 Main body, 12 Guide groove, 13 Positioning channel, 14 Slot, 15 Coolant passage, 16 Coolant inlet, 20 Cutting tool, 21 First passage, 30 Positioning pin, 40 Actuator, 41 Cap, 43 Second passage, 50 Holder body, 51 Internal passage, 52 Connector, 60 Nut, 111 Front end, 112 Rear end, 113 Outer surface, 114 Inner surface, 115 Cylindrical section, 116 Flange section, 131 Extended section, 132 Engaging section, 151 Outlet channel, 152 Outlet groove, 153 Recess, D Axial direction, G Gap

Claims

1. A cylindrical body portion having a front end, a rear end opposite to the front end, an outer circumferential surface, and an inner circumferential surface, A guide groove formed on the inner circumferential surface and extending from the front end to the rear end of the main body, A positioning channel having the main body portion having an extended portion that penetrates from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface and extends from the guide groove along the circumferential direction of the main body portion, and an engaging portion that extends from the extended portion along the axial direction of the main body portion and tapers from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface, A plurality of slots are arranged around the axis of the main body, penetrate the main body, and extend toward the front end and rear end of the main body, A collet including a plurality of coolant passages located between the outer and inner surfaces of the main body, which extend from each of the plurality of slots toward the front end of the main body and are inclined toward the inner surface, A cutting tool inserted into the collet from the front end of the main body, A positioning pin protruding from the circumferential surface of the cutting tool, moving along the guide groove when the cutting tool is inserted into the collet, and moving out of the guide groove into the extended portion when the cutting tool rotates relative to the collet, A firmly positionable coolant-through tool comprising: an actuator connected to the main body of the collet and configured to press the cutting tool along the axial direction of the main body such that the positioning pin engages with the engaging portion of the positioning channel;

2. Each of the aforementioned multiple coolant passages is, The outflow groove formed as a recess at the front end of the main body, It has an outflow channel that extends from the corresponding slot to the bottom surface of the outflow groove and communicates with the inside of the outflow groove, The coolant-through tool according to claim 1, wherein the interior of the outflow groove has a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of ​​the outflow channel.

3. The coolant-through tool according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of coolant passages is located on the bottom surface of the outflow groove and has two recesses extending in opposite directions from both sides of the outflow channel.

4. The coolant-through tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the collet has a plurality of coolant inlets that penetrate the main body and communicate with each of the plurality of slots, located closer to the rear end than the front end.

5. The main body of the collet has a cylindrical portion and a flange portion that are connected to each other. The flange portion is located at the front end of the main body and has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion. The aforementioned plurality of slots penetrate the cylindrical portion, The coolant-through tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of coolant passages extend from the cylindrical portion through the flange portion.

6. The cutting tool has a first flow channel formed in the axial direction. The operating member has a cap connected to the main body of the collet and a screw that is screwed into the cap. The coolant-through tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the screw has a second passage through it, moves relative to the cap to contact the cutting tool, and connects the first passage and the second passage to each other.

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