Metal cutting tool with vibration damping member

Abstract

1. A cutting tool (1) for cutting metal comprising a tool body (2), the tool body (2) comprising an insert seat (11), a recess (9) formed in the tool body (2), the tool body (2) comprising vibration damping means (4), the vibration damping means (4) comprising a cantilever member (12) adjacent the recess (9), the cantilever member (12) comprising a cantilever beam (5) and an end mass (8), the cantilever member (12) extending between a fixed end (6) and a free end (7), the fixed end (6) being permanently connected to the tool body (2), the cantilever beam (5) extending from the fixed end (6), and the end mass (8) extending from the free end (7).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention is in the field of metal cutting and, more particularly, of cutting tools equipped with vibration damping means. [Background technology]

[0002] The present invention relates to a turning tool according to the preamble of claim 1. In other words, the invention relates to a cutting tool for cutting metals comprising a tool body with an insert seat and formed with a recess, the tool body being provided with vibration damping means.

[0003] In the highly competitive metal cutting industry, increasing productivity is crucial to reduce manufacturing costs in metal cutting processes. To increase productivity, there is a constant demand for faster machining speeds and shorter cycle times. To meet these demands, process parameters such as cutting speeds, feed rates, and depth of cut must be increased. Increasing process parameters can lead to regenerative or chatter vibrations in slender cutting tools. These vibrations often cause loud noise during the cutting process, poor surface finish, and reduced tool life. In extreme cases, chatter vibrations can even destroy cutting tools and damage machine tools.

[0004] A typical cutting tool comprises a steel tool body and a cutting insert made of cemented carbide.

[0005] In order to reduce the above-mentioned problems, i.e. to suppress chatter vibrations, various solutions have been proposed. WO 2017109771 A1 discloses a cutting tool holder comprising a holder body and a weight assembly, the weight assembly comprising a weight portion arranged in a weight opening. The weight portion is made of a material having a higher density than the material of the holder body.

[0006] While the cutting tool holder disclosed in WO2017109771 is claimed to improve vibration damping, the inventors have found that the cutting tool requires further improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The inventors have found that the design of the above-mentioned cutting tool holder becomes more difficult to design and / or manufacture the narrower the tool width. That is, for applications such as narrow and / or deep grooving and cutting, especially when the tool width is 10 mm or less, geometric limitations are imposed, making it difficult to design and / or manufacture the tool. Furthermore, when a tool having a high density mass is used for cutting processing in which the cutting tool, such as a slot milling cutter, is rotated, there are problems such as increased power consumption. That is, it would be preferable to provide a lighter cutting tool. Furthermore, the inventors have found that the above-mentioned cutting tool is relatively expensive to manufacture because it has several parts that include high density elements. Furthermore, there is a demand for cutting tools with improved vibration damping.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to alleviate at least one of the above problems.

[0009] This is achieved by the initially defined cutting tool, wherein the vibration damping means comprises a cantilever member, the cantilever member adjacent the recess, the cantilever member comprising a cantilever beam and an end mass, the cantilever member extending between a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end permanently connected to the tool body, the cantilever beam extending from the fixed end and the end mass extending from the free end.

[0010] To overcome the above challenges, cutting tools have been developed that use the material of the tool body itself to create the effect of a tuned mass damper. The damper can be formed by cutting material out of the original tool body. This modification of the blade shape does not require the addition of additional material or complex features.

[0011] The cutting tool is suitable for metal cutting and is preferably a cutting and grooving tool or a slot milling tool. The cutting tool preferably comprises a cutting and grooving blade or a tool body such as a slot milling cutter body. The tool body is preferably made of steel.

[0012] The tool body includes one or more insert seats for one or more cutting inserts.

[0013] The cutting tool preferably comprises a cutting insert disposed in the insert seat, the cutting insert having a cutting edge, the cutting edge defining an insert width.

[0014] The insert can be removably clamped in the insert seat, the tool body being provided with clamping means, for example as one or more screws, a top clamp or elastic clamping fingers or the like.

[0015] The tool body is provided with a recess, preferably in the form of a through hole or a slot, or alternatively in the form of a cavity, the recess being spaced apart from the insert seat.

[0016] The tool body is provided with vibration damping means, i.e. a vibration damping device or member, i.e. the tool body is provided with a device for reducing the risk of vibrations during the cutting operation. The vibration damping means is spaced apart from the insert seat.

[0017] The vibration damping means comprises a cantilever member surrounded by a recess except for the fixed end.

[0018] A cantilevered member comprises a cantilever beam or member and an end mass or member. Alternatively summarized, a cantilevered member comprises a stem portion and a head portion.

[0019] The cantilevered member is capable of vibrating relative to the surrounding portion of the tool body to counteract vibrations.

[0020] The cantilevered member preferably has a larger cross-sectional area away from the fixed end than at the fixed end, more precisely the cantilevered member preferably has a larger cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cantilever at the centre of the cantilever than at the centre of the end mass.

[0021] The center of mass of the cantilever member is not located halfway between the free end and the fixed end, rather the distance from the free end to the center of mass is less than the distance from the fixed end to the center of mass.

[0022] The cantilever member and the recess are positioned such that the cantilever member vibrates to reduce vibration.

[0023] The width of the cantilever member is preferably constant from the fixed end to the free end.

[0024] The length of the cantilever is preferably 0.5 to 30 mm, more preferably 1.0 to 20 mm, and even more preferably 1.5 to 10 mm. The cantilevers preferably have identical or substantially identical cross sections. The cantilevers preferably have a rectangular or square cross section. The cantilevers preferably have a rectangular or cubic shape.

[0025] The end mass is preferably tubular, preferably cylindrical.

[0026] In other words, preferably the cantilever member comprises a solid rectangular parallelepiped and a solid cylindrical portion, one end of the rectangular parallelepiped being connected to the solid cylindrical portion and an opposite end of the rectangular parallelepiped being connected to the tool body, i.e. said opposite end of the rectangular parallelepiped defining the fixed end of the cantilever member.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the tool body has a first side and an opposing second side, the recess opens to the first side and the second side, and the cantilever member extends between the first side and the second side.

[0028] Such a cutting tool may be more economical to manufacture.

[0029] The cantilever member is included in a first side and a second side. The width of the cantilever member is equal to the distance between the first side and the second side. The recess is a through hole extending between the first side and the second side. In other words, the recess is a through hole opening into the first side and the second side. The contour or shape of the recess in side view defines the contour or shape of the cantilever member in side view. The first side and the second side are the outer surface, i.e. the peripheral surface, of the tool body. Preferably, the contour or shape of the recess in side view includes two parallel straight line segments connected by a circular arc. The radius of the circular arc is greater than the distance between the two parallel straight line segments. The angle of the circular arc is less than 360° and greater than 180°. The angle is preferably greater than 240°.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the distance between the first side and the second side is 0.5-20 mm, preferably 0.5-8 mm.

[0031] Such a cutting tool can machine fine grooves.

[0032] The distance between the first side and the second side is referred to as the width. The width of the tool body may be constant or substantially constant. For example, the tool body may be a cutting blade or a slot milling cutter body with a constant or substantially constant width. Alternatively, the tool body may comprise a blade portion, i.e. a front portion, and a rear portion, i.e. a coupling portion. In such a case, the blade portion comprises the first and second side, the insert seat, the recess and the vibration damping means. The rear portion is preferably wider than the blade portion. The rear portion preferably comprises a coupling portion suitable for connection to a machine interface.

[0033] The width of the blade portion may be constant, or the blade portion may have first and second arcuate sides in a front view, with the distance between the first and second sides varying.

[0034] The length of the blade portion defines the maximum groove depth that can be cut by the cutting tool.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the first side and the second side are parallel or substantially parallel.

[0036] Such cutting tools allow efficient radial grooving in both turning and milling operations.

[0037] Stated differently, the first side and the second side extend in planes parallel to each other, that is, the distance between the first side and the second side is constant.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the cutting tool comprises a cutting insert disposed in the insert seat, the cutting insert comprising a cutting edge, the cutting edge defining an insert width, the insert width being greater than a distance between the first side and the second side.

[0039] Such a cutting tool makes it possible to cut a groove having a width equal to the insert width.

[0040] The cutting insert preferably comprises a top surface, an opposite bottom surface and a front end surface. A cutting edge connects the front end surface and the top surface. The front end surface is the second flank surface or the first flank surface. The top surface of the cutting insert preferably comprises a chip breaking means, which is preferably one or more protrusions and / or recesses. The top surface is suitable to act as a rake surface.

[0041] The cutting insert is preferably a cutting and / or grooving insert. The cutting tool is suitable for grooving grooves having a width equal to the insert width. The tool body is preferably a cutting blade suitable for radial cutting and / or grooving in a radial grooving direction. The front end face of the cutting insert preferably faces substantially, i.e. within 15°, to the radial grooving direction.

[0042] The insert width is preferably 0.6 to 20 mm, and even more preferably 1.0 to 8.0 mm. The insert width is preferably 2 to 40% larger than the distance between the first side and the second side.

[0043] The distance from the bottom surface of the cutting insert to the cantilever member is preferably less than the distance from the top surface of the cutting insert to the cantilever member.

[0044] The longitudinal axis of the cantilever is preferably parallel or substantially parallel to the radial grooving direction.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the tool body has a front end face, the insert seat opens into the front end face, the cutting edges extend partly or entirely in a common plane, and the longitudinal axis of the cantilever beam extends in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to said common plane.

[0046] Such a cutting tool further reduces the risk of vibrations.

[0047] The tool body comprises a leading or forward facing surface and an opposing trailing surface, which may comprise a coupling portion suitable for connection or coupling to a machine interface, the leading surface facing or substantially facing the radial grooving direction of the cutting tool.

[0048] The cutting edges extend partially, completely or substantially in a common plane. The cutting edges may preferably comprise a main cutting edge portion, two corner cutting edge portions and two relief or secondary cutting edge portions. Each of the corner cutting edge portions connects the main cutting edge portion to one of the relief cutting edge portions.

[0049] The cutting edge corner portions may preferably be arcuate in a top view and may preferably extend in said common plane.

[0050] Alternatively, the cutting edge may be formed in an arc shape when viewed from above, the angle of said arc being preferably greater than 180° and the angle of said arc being preferably less than 300°.

[0051] The longitudinal axes of the cantilevers extend in a plane that is parallel or substantially parallel to said common plane.

[0052] The longitudinal axis preferably intersects the fixed end and the free end, and is parallel or substantially parallel to the radial grooving direction of the cutting tool.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the tool body has a front end surface, and a distance from the front end surface to the free end of the cantilever member is greater than a distance from the front end surface to the fixed end of the cantilever member.

[0054] Such a cutting tool further reduces the risk of vibrations.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the tool body and the cantilever member are made from the same material.

[0056] Such cutting tools can be more economically manufactured.

[0057] The tool body including the cantilever beam and the end mass are made of the same material, preferably steel. The cantilever beam and the end mass are permanently connected. The cantilever beam and the tool body are permanently connected. The tool body is preferably made from a single blank.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the recess and the cantilever member have corresponding or substantially corresponding shapes, respectively, and the gap width between the cantilever member and the surrounding portion of the tool body is constant or substantially constant.

[0059] Such a cutting tool can reduce manufacturing costs.

[0060] In a side view, a contour of the cantilever member corresponds to a contour of the recess. The recess defines a gap adjacent the cantilever member. A gap width between the cantilever member and a surrounding portion of the tool body made of the same material as the cantilever member is constant or substantially constant.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the gap width is 0.2-5.0 mm, preferably 0.5-2.5 mm.

[0062] Such cutting tools provide additional stability as the amount of material removed is kept to a minimum.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the vibration damping means comprises a kinetic energy absorbing element, the kinetic energy absorbing element being arranged within the recess.

[0064] Such a cutting tool further reduces the risk of vibrations.

[0065] The kinetic energy absorbing element is disposed in at least a portion of the recess.

[0066] Preferably the kinetic energy absorbing element contacts at least a portion of the end mass.

[0067] The recess may be completely or substantially filled with the kinetic energy absorbing element.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the kinetic energy absorbing element is constructed from a polymer, elastomer, or rubber.

[0069] Such a cutting tool further reduces the risk of vibrations.

[0070] Preferably the kinetic energy absorbing element is made from a polymer, preferably silicone.Preferably the recess surrounding the end mass is at least partially filled with the kinetic energy absorbing element.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the kinetic energy absorbing element has a hardness of 40-80, preferably 35-65 according to the ASTM D2240 Type A scale.

[0072] With such a cutting tool the risk of vibrations is reduced even further.

[0073] Said hardness is known as Shore hardness. According to ASTM D2240-00 test standard type A, the kinetic energy absorbing element therefore has a hardness of 40-80, preferably 35-65.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the distance from the free end of the cantilever member to the center of mass is less than the distance from the fixed end of the cantilever member to the center of mass.

[0075] Such a cutting tool further reduces the risk of vibrations.

[0076] Preferably, the distance from the free end of the cantilever member to the center of mass is 1 to 75% of the distance from the fixed end of the cantilever member to the center of mass, and even more preferably 20 to 50%.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the cutting tool is a groove blade, the groove blade having a front end surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, and the insert seat opens at the front end surface.

[0078] The cutting tool is a turning tool. The grooving blade, or cutting blade, or turning tool for grooving and / or cutting is preferably made of steel. The cutting tool preferably comprises a cutting insert arranged in the insert seat, the cutting insert comprises a cutting edge, the cutting edge defining an insert width. The cutting insert is preferably a cutting and / or grooving insert.

[0079] The width of the groove blade is preferably constant, or the width of the groove blade is partially smaller and partially larger than the insert width, or more precisely, the width of the front part of the groove blade including the leading face is smaller than the insert width and the width of the rear part of the groove blade including the trailing face is larger than the insert width.

[0080] The top and bottom surfaces are clamping surfaces suitable for clamping the groove blade to a tool adapter, which is preferably a tool block.

[0081] The bottom surface is preferably not perpendicular to the first and second sides. The bottom surface is preferably V-shaped, i.e. tapered. The bottom surface preferably comprises a first surface and a second surface, the first and second surfaces forming an angle of 100° to 170° with respect to each other, and even more preferably an angle of 110° to 150°. Preferably, the height of the groove cutting blade, defined as the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface, is greater at the midpoint between the first and second sides than the distance on or along the first or second sides.

[0082] The top surface is preferably disposed in correspondence with the bottom surface.

[0083] The cantilever member is spaced apart from the front surface, the top surface, and the bottom surface.

[0084] The rear surface is opposite the front surface.

[0085] The groove cutting blade is preferably long, the distance from the rear surface to the front end surface being preferably longer than the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface, more preferably 2 to 10 times longer, and even more preferably 3 to 8 times longer.

[0086] Preferably the insert seat separates the top surface and the front end surface.

[0087] The distance from the front end face to the recess is preferably 1 to 20 mm, and more preferably 2 to 10 mm.

[0088] The distance from the bottom surface to the recess is preferably 1 to 20 mm, and even more preferably 2 to 10 mm.

[0089] Preferably, at least a portion of the recess and the cantilever member are located between the insert seat and the bottom surface of the cutting tool.

[0090] The groove blade preferably comprises at least one and not more than two cantilevers.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the top and bottom surfaces are parallel or substantially parallel to one another and the cantilever beam is disposed parallel or substantially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces.

[0092] The longitudinal axis of the cantilever is preferably parallel or substantially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces as viewed in side view, where substantially parallel in this context means within + / - 20 degrees.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the distance from the front end surface to the free end is greater than the distance from the front end surface to the fixed end.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the distance from the front end surface to the free end is less than the distance from the front end surface to the fixed end.

[0095] Such a tool further reduces the risk of vibration.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the distance from the bottom surface to the cantilever member is less than the distance from the top surface to the cantilever member, and the distance from the insert seat to the top surface is less than the distance from the insert seat to the bottom surface.

[0097] Such a cutting tool further reduces the risk of vibrations.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the cutting tool is a slot milling cutter, the slot milling cutter being rotatable about an axis of rotation, the cantilever beam being arranged radially or substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation, and the fixed end facing the axis of rotation.

[0099] The cantilever member is spaced apart from the axis of rotation. The distance from the axis of rotation to the free end is greater than the distance from the axis of rotation to the fixed end. The longitudinal axis of the cantilever intersects or substantially intersects the axis of rotation of the slot milling cutter. In other words, an imaginary extension of the cantilever intersects or substantially intersects the axis of rotation of the slot milling cutter.

[0100] The slot milling cutter preferably comprises 2 to 30 insert seats. Preferably the slot milling cutter comprises 2 to 30 vibration damping means. Preferably the number of vibration damping means is equal or substantially equal to the number of insert seats.

[0101] According to one embodiment, there is provided a method for reducing vibration during a metal cutting operation, comprising the steps of: Providing a metal workpiece; Providing a cutting tool as described above; Rotating the metal workpiece about its axis of rotation; Positioning the cutting tool such that the cantilever is disposed radially or substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation; and cutting the metal workpiece by moving the cutting tool toward the axis of rotation.

[0102] The method is a metal cutting method, more particularly a turning method. Preferably, a CNC lathe is provided. The CNC lathe preferably comprises a machine interface. The CNC lathe preferably comprises a rotatable spindle provided with clamping means. A metal workpiece is provided. The metal workpiece is preferably rotationally symmetric or substantially rotationally symmetric. The metal workpiece can be rotated, preferably by means of the rotatable spindle. A cutting tool is provided. The cutting tool is preferably connected to the machine interface.

[0103] The metal workpiece is rotated about its axis of rotation, and the cutting tool is positioned or oriented such that the cantilever is disposed radially or substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation, with substantially radial in this context including the cantilever being parallel to the radial direction relative to the axis of rotation.

[0104] The method includes cutting the metal workpiece by moving a cutting tool in a radial grooving direction toward an axis of rotation.

[0105] The longitudinal axis of the cantilever is parallel or substantially parallel to the radial grooving direction.

[0106] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the description of embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0107] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool adapter and a cutting tool according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the tool adapter and cutting tool of FIG. 1 and a metal workpiece. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cutting tool of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tool adapter and a cutting tool according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the cutting tool of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a front view of the cutting tool of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cutting tool according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cutting tool according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of the cutting tool of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view of the cutting tool of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a tool adapter and a cutting tool according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side view of the cutting tool of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the lower right portion of the cutting tool of FIG. 3, showing a first example of a vibration damping means. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a side view of a second example of vibration damping means. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a side view of a third example of vibration damping means. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a side view of a fourth example of vibration damping means. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a side view of a cutting tool according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the lower right portion of the cutting tool of FIG. 20, showing a fifth example of a vibration damping means. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 21. [Figure 23] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 21. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0108] Reference is made to Figs. 1 to 4, which show a cutting tool 1 according to a first embodiment.

[0109] The cutting tool 1 comprises a tool body 2, which is an elongated cutting and grooving blade, and a cutting insert 18. The tool body 2 comprises two diagonally opposed insert seats 11. The cutting insert 18 is mounted in one of the insert seats 11.

[0110] Two recesses 9 are formed in the tool body 2. One recess 9 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 14 to 16. The tool body 2 includes a vibration damping means 4, and the vibration damping means 4 includes a cantilever member 12 adjacent to the recess 9.

[0111] The cutting insert 3 comprises a top surface 29, an opposite bottom surface 30 and a front end surface 40. A cutting edge 19 connects the front end surface 40 with the top surface 29. The cutting edge 19 defines an insert width 20. The front end surface is a second flank or a first flank. The top surface 29 of the cutting insert comprises chip breaking means as one or more protrusions and / or recesses. The top surface 29 is suitable to act as a rake surface. The top surface 29 and the bottom surface 30 comprise seating surfaces which come into contact with seating surfaces formed in the insert seat 11.

[0112] The tool body 2 comprises a front end face 21, an opposite rear face 33, a top face 22, an opposite bottom face 23, a first side face 15, and an opposite second side face 16. The tool body 2 is elongated, i.e., the distance from the front end face 21 to the rear face is longer than the distance from the top face 22 to the bottom face 23.

[0113] The bottom surface 23 is V-shaped, i.e. tapered. The bottom surface 23 includes a first surface 31 and a second surface 32, the first and second surfaces forming an angle of 100° to 170°, even more preferably 110° to 150°, with respect to each other. The height of the groove cutting blade, defined as the distance between the top surface 22 and the bottom surface 23, is greater midway between the first side 15 and the second side 16 than the distance on or along the first side 15 or the second side 16. The top surface 22 is disposed to correspond with the bottom surface 23.

[0114] The insert seat 11 opens into the front end face 21 .

[0115] The longitudinal axis A1 of the cantilever is parallel or substantially parallel to the top surface 22 and the bottom surface 23, for example as seen in a side view as seen in FIG.

[0116] The distance 17 between the first side 15 and the second side 16 is constant and is less than the insert width 20 .

[0117] 1 and 2, the cutting tool 1 is attached to a tool adaptor 25 by clamping means 26 including a screw. The tool adaptor comprises a coupling part 24 suitable for connection to a machine interface 27 of a machine tool (not shown), such as for example a CNC lathe.

[0118] Fig. 2 shows an example of how the cutting tool 1 is used when machining a metal workpiece 28 by a cutting or radial grooving action. The metal workpiece 28 rotates about its rotation axis R2. The direction of rotation of the metal workpiece 28 is counterclockwise in Fig. 2. The cutting tool 1 is conveyed or moved in a radial grooving direction 34 towards the metal workpiece 28. More precisely, the cutting edge 19 of the cutting insert 1 is directed in a straight line towards the rotation axis R2 of the metal workpiece 28. The longitudinal axis A1 of the cantilever is parallel or substantially parallel to the radial grooving direction 34.

[0119] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the cutting tool 1 may be rotated about the axis of rotation R2 of the metal workpiece 28 while the metal workpiece 28 remains stationary.

[0120] Please refer to Figures 5 to 7 which show a cutting tool 1 according to a second embodiment. The cutting tool 1 comprises a tool body 2 and a cutting insert 18. The cutting insert 18 is identical to the cutting insert 18 of Figures 1 to 4. The cutting tool 1 is mounted on a tool adapter 25 which is identical to the tool adapter of Figures 1 and 2. The tool body 2 differs from the tool body 2 shown in Figures 1 to 4 in that the insert seat is oriented such that the front end 40 of the cutting insert 18 faces in the same direction or substantially in the same direction as the bottom surface 23. The longitudinal axis A1 of the cantilever is perpendicular to the top surface 22 and the bottom surface 23.

[0121] Please refer to FIG. 8 which shows a cutting tool 1 according to a third embodiment. The cutting tool 1 differs from the cutting tools shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 in that the tool body 2 comprises a blade portion 41, i.e. a front portion, and a rear portion 42. The blade portion 41 comprises a first side surface and a second side surface 16. The distance between the first side surface and the second side surface is constant and is smaller than the insert width. The blade portion 41 comprises a cantilever member 12. The rear portion 42 comprises a coupling portion 24.

[0122] 9 to 11, which show a cutting tool 1 according to a fourth embodiment. The tool body 2 includes a blade portion 41, which is a front portion, and a rear portion 42. The blade portion 41 includes a first side surface 15 and a second side surface 16. A distance 17 between the first side surface 15 and the second side surface 16 is smaller than an insert width 20. The first side surface 15 and the second side surface 16 are curved or arc-shaped in a front view, as seen in FIG. 10.

[0123] 12 and 13, which show a cutting tool 1 according to a fifth embodiment. The cutting tool 1 is a slot or groove milling cutter rotatable about its rotation axis R1. The cutting tool 1 is suitable for cutting grooves in metal workpieces (not shown).

[0124] 12, the cutting tool 1 is attached to a tool adapter 25 by clamping means 26 including a screw. The tool adapter 25 comprises a coupling part 24 suitable for connection to a machine interface 27 of a machine tool (not shown), such as for example a machining centre or a multitasking machine, or a CNC machine capable of rotating a milling tool.

[0125] 13, the cantilever member 12 is positioned such that the longitudinal axis A1 of the cantilever intersects or substantially intersects the axis of rotation A1 of the slot milling cutter, and the cantilever is positioned radially or substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation R1. The cantilever member 12 is spaced apart from the axis of rotation R1.

[0126] The slot milling cutter 1, when viewed in a side view such as in Fig. 13, comprises fifteen insert seats evenly or substantially evenly distributed around the rotation axis R1. In each insert seat, exactly one cutting insert 18 is arranged. The number of vibration damping means is equal to the number of insert seats.

[0127] The slot milling cutter 1 comprises 15 cutting inserts 18 and 15 insert seats. However, the number of cutting inserts may be less or more.

[0128] Reference is now made to Figures 14 to 16 which show in more detail a first example of vibration damping means which can be seen in the lower right portion of the cutting tool in Figure 3. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 14. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 14. The vibration damping means 4 comprises a cantilever member 12.

[0129] The cantilever member 12 is adjacent to the recess 9. The recess 9 opens to a first side 15 and an opposite second side 16. The cantilever member 12 comprises a rectangular parallelepiped cantilever beam 5 and a cylindrical end mass 8. The cantilever member 12 extends between a fixed end 6 and a free end 7. The fixed end 6 is permanently connected to the tool body 2. The cantilever beam 5 extends from the fixed end 6. The end mass 8 extends from the free end 7.

[0130] A longitudinal axis A1 or central axis of the cantilever beam 5 intersects the fixed end 6 and the free end 7. The longitudinal axis A1 is parallel to the bottom surface 23 of the tool body 23. The longitudinal axis A1 is perpendicular to the front end surface 21.

[0131] The cross-sectional area of ​​the cantilever member 12 is greater at the centre of the end mass 8 as seen in FIG. 15 than at the centre of the cantilever beam 5 as seen in FIG.

[0132] The distance from the front end face 21 to the free end 7 of the cantilever member 12 is less than the distance from the front end face 21 to the fixed end 6 of the cantilever member 12. The gap width 13, i.e., the recess width, between the cantilever member 12 and the surrounding portion of the tool body 2 made of the same material as the cantilever member 12 is constant or substantially constant. The height 35 of the cantilever beam 5 is constant and is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1 of the cantilever beam 5 as seen in FIG. 14. The length 36 of the cantilever beam 5 and the length 37 of the end mass 8 are both measured along the longitudinal axis A1 of the cantilever beam 5. The height 38 of the end mass 8 is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1 of the cantilever beam 5 as seen in FIG. 14. The length 39 of the cantilever member 12 is equal to the sum of the length 36 of the cantilever beam 5 and the length 37 of the end mass 8. The width of the cantilever member 12 is constant and is equal to the distance 17 between the first side 15 and the second side 16 .

[0133] The distance from the recess 9 to the front end face 21 is preferably 2 to 6 mm.

[0134] Reference is now made to figure 17 which shows a second example of vibration damping means 4. It differs from the first example of vibration damping means only in that a kinetic energy absorbing element 14 is arranged in a portion of the recess 9. More precisely, the recess 9 surrounding the end mass 8 is at least partially loaded with a kinetic energy absorbing element 14. The kinetic energy absorbing element 14 is silicone. The kinetic energy absorbing element extends between the first and second sides or substantially between the first and second sides.

[0135] Reference is now made to Figure 18 which shows a third example of vibration damping means 4. When compared to the first example of vibration damping means, the main differences are that the gap width 13 has been changed and that the recess 9 has a shape such that the end mass 8 forms an oval in side view.

[0136] Reference is now made to Figure 19 which shows a fourth example of vibration damping means 4. The main differences compared to the first example of vibration damping means are the change in gap width 13 and the different shape of recess 9. More specifically, the cantilever 5 has a height 35 which increases with increasing distance from the fixed end 6, and the cantilever transitions seamlessly into the end mass 8.

[0137] Now, referring to FIG. 20, a sixth embodiment of a cutting tool is shown, which includes a fifth example of vibration damping means 4 shown in detail in FIGS. 21-23. When compared to the first example of vibration damping means, the main difference is that the orientation of the cantilever member 12 is rotated by 180° in side view, as seen in FIG. 22. The distance from the front end face 21 to the free end 7 of the cantilever member 12 is longer than the distance from the front end face 21 to the fixed end 6 of the cantilever member 12. Further differences are that the length 36 of the cantilever beam 5 is shorter than the length 37 of the end mass 8, and that the gap width 13 is wider.

[0138] The longitudinal axis A1 of the cantilever 12 is parallel to the top surface 22 and the bottom surface 23 of the tool body 2. The recesses are preferably arranged so that the distance from the recess 9 to the bottom surface 23, the distance from the recess 9 to the front end surface 21, and the distance from the recess 9 to the insert seat 11 are each substantially equal, i.e. none of said distances exceeds 100%, preferably 50%, of the remaining distances. This can be seen, for example, from FIG. 21, in which the distances are substantially equal. The distance from the recess 9 to the bottom surface is preferably 2-6 mm. The distance from the recess 9 to the front end surface 21 is preferably 2-6 mm. The distance from the recess 9 to the insert seat 11 is preferably 2-6 mm.

[0139] All of the above examples of vibration damping means may include a kinetic energy absorbing element 14, which preferably comprises silicone and is disposed in at least a portion of the recess 9, with the kinetic energy absorbing element 14 filling at least a portion of the recess 9 surrounding the end mass 8.

[0140] All of the above examples of vibration damping means may include a high density material, i.e. a material denser than steel, preferably a hard metal, connected to the end mass.

[0141] Any of the vibration dampening means described above may be used in any of the cutting tools described above.

[0142] The cutting insert shown in the above embodiment may have other shapes such as substantially L-shaped or triangular in side view. The insert can be clamped by a spring clamp, i.e., by the elasticity of the gripper, insert screw, top clamp, or any other suitable clamping means.

[0143] The recesses in the cutting tool described above may be formed by any suitable metal removal process such as milling, drilling, electrical discharge machining (EDM) or laser.

[0144] Other examples of cutting tools (not shown) may include a recess as a cavity away from the first and second sides. Such cutting tools may preferably be formed in whole or in part by additive manufacturing methods.

Claims

1. A cutting tool (1) for metal cutting, comprising a tool body (2), The tool body (2) is provided with an insert seat (11), The tool body (2) is formed with a recess (9), The tool body (2) is a cutting tool for metal cutting equipped with vibration damping means (4), The vibration damping means (4) comprises a cantilever member (12); the cantilever member (12) is adjacent to the recess (9); the cantilever member (12) comprising a cantilever beam (5) and an end mass (8); the cantilever member (12) extending between a fixed end (6) and a free end (7); the fixed end (6) is permanently connected to the tool body (2); the cantilever (5) extending from the fixed end (6); said end mass (8) extending from said free end (7); The cantilever (5) is a solid rectangular parallelepiped; said end mass (8) being solid cylindrical; The distance from the free end (7) to the center of mass of the cantilever member (12) is shorter than the distance from the fixed end (6) to the center of mass of the cantilever member (12). A cutting tool for metal cutting (1).

2. The tool body (2) has a first side (15) and an opposite second side (16); The recess (9) opens to the first and second side surfaces (15, 16), The cantilever member (12) extends between the first side and the second side (15, 16). A cutting tool (1) according to claim 1.

3. the distance (17) between the first side and the second side (15, 16) is between 0.5 and 20 mm, preferably between 0.5 and 8 mm; A cutting tool (1) according to claim 2.

4. the first side and the second side (15, 16) are parallel or substantially parallel; A cutting tool (1) according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A cutting insert (18) is disposed in the insert seat (11), The cutting insert (18) comprises a cutting edge (19); The cutting edge (19) defines an insert width (20); the insert width (20) is greater than the distance (17) between the first side (15) and the second side (16); A cutting tool (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The tool body (2) has a front end surface (21), The insert seat (11) opens to the front end surface (21), The cutting insert (18) extends partially or entirely on a plane; The longitudinal axis (A1) of the cantilever (5) extends in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to said plane; A cutting tool (1) according to claim 5.

7. The tool body (2) has a front end surface (21), a distance from the front end surface (21) to the free end (7) of the cantilever member (12) is longer than a distance from the front end surface (21) to the fixed end (6) of the cantilever member (12); A cutting tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. The tool body (2) and the cantilever member (12) are formed from the same material. A cutting tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. said recess (9) and said cantilever member (12) have corresponding or substantially corresponding shapes; a gap width (13) between the cantilever member (12) and the surrounding portion of the tool body (2) is constant or substantially constant; A cutting tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. The gap width (13) is 0.2 to 5.0 mm, preferably 0.5 to 2.5 mm. A cutting tool (1) according to claim 9.

11. The vibration damping means (4) comprises a kinetic energy absorbing element (14), the kinetic energy absorbing element (14) being arranged in the recess (9). A cutting tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. The kinetic energy absorbing element (14) comprises a polymer, an elastomer, or a rubber. A cutting tool (1) according to claim 11.

13. The kinetic energy absorbing element (14) has a hardness according to the ASTM D2240 Type A scale of 40 to 80, preferably 35 to 65; A cutting tool (1) according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The cutting tool (1) is a groove cutting blade, The groove cutting blade has a front end surface (21), a top surface (22) and a bottom surface (23); The insert seat (11) opens to the front end surface (21). A cutting tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. the top and bottom surfaces (22, 23) are parallel or substantially parallel; The cantilever (5) is arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces (22, 23). A cutting tool (1) according to claim 14.

16. 16. The cutting tool (1) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the distance from the front end face (21) to the free end (7) is greater than the distance from the front end face (21) to the fixed end (6).

17. 16. The cutting tool (1) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the distance from the front end face (21) to the free end (7) is less than the distance from the front end face (21) to the fixed end (6).

18. The distance from the bottom surface (23) to the cantilever member (12) is shorter than the distance from the top surface (22) to the cantilever member (12); The distance from the insert seat (11) to the top surface (22) is shorter than the distance from the insert seat (11) to the bottom surface (23). A cutting tool (1) according to any one of claims 14 to 17.

19. The cutting tool (1) is a slot milling cutter, The slot milling cutter is rotatable about a rotation axis (R1); the cantilever beam (5) is arranged radially or substantially radially with respect to the axis of rotation (R1); The fixed end (6) faces the rotation axis (R1). A cutting tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

20. Providing a metal workpiece (28); Providing a cutting tool (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 18; rotating the metal workpiece (28) about its axis of rotation (R2); Positioning the cutting tool (1) such that the cantilever beam (5) is arranged radially or substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation (R2); and cutting the metal workpiece (28) by moving the cutting tool (1) towards the rotation axis (R2). How to reduce vibration during metal cutting operations.

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