Additively Made Curved Anvil Passage for Cutting Edge Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting tools face limitations in providing effective cooling, lubrication, and chip removal due to the complexity of fluid passage geometries, particularly in applications like milling where traditional methods are difficult or impossible to implement, and require advanced drilling or blind plugging operations.

Innovation Solution

A cutting tool with an anvil featuring a curved passage extending from an inlet to an outlet, allowing for fluid to be directed towards the cutting edge, and manufactured using additive manufacturing processes to create complex shapes without the need for advanced drilling or blind plugging, enabling efficient coolant/lubrication/flushing options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional straight passages are used in the anvil, then manufacturing is simpler, but fluid delivery to the cutting edge is less effective and geometry options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid delivery effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to the fluid passage within the anvil, transforming it from a straight line to a curved path. This curved geometry enables the passage to navigate around internal obstructions and achieve complex spatial routing, improving fluid delivery effectiveness to the cutting edge while avoiding the need for advanced drilling or blind plugging operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If passages extend along straight lines, then manufacturing is easier, but geometry options for fluid delivery are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometry optionsVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The curved passage design provides enhanced geometry options for fluid delivery by allowing the passage to follow complex spatial paths within the anvil. This curvature enables the passage to reach outlet openings on various surfaces (top, bottom, or side) and direct fluid precisely toward the cutting edge, offering versatility that straight-line passages cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Shape

If advanced drilling or blind plugging operations are used, then complex passage geometries can be achieved, but manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassage geometry complexityVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The curved passage is designed to be manufacturable through conventional drilling and routing operations, avoiding the need for time-consuming advanced drilling or blind plugging procedures. The curvature allows the passage to achieve complex geometry while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes, thereby reducing production time and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Temperature

If coolant pressure is increased to improve tool life, then cutting temperature and friction are reduced, but fluid delivery system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting temperatureVSAvoidfluid delivery system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The curved passage design optimizes fluid delivery efficiency, enabling effective coolant delivery to the cutting edge without requiring excessive system complexity. The curved geometry allows the passage to navigate within the anvil and deliver coolant under pressure directly to the cutting zone, achieving temperature reduction and friction reduction while maintaining a relatively simple fluid delivery system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The curved passage design enhances fluid delivery to the cutting edge, improving tool life by increasing coolant supply pressure, reducing friction and cutting temperature, and facilitating chip removal without the need for complex manufacturing steps or additional equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a curved passage extends from an inlet opening in the anvil body to an outlet opening in the anvil body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through curved passage:

Implementation Method 2

providing fluid for cooling, lubricating, and/or flushing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

providing fluid for cooling, lubricating, and/or flushing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3330024B1Cutting tool having an anvil with curved passage and method for making such a cutting tool
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 SECO TOOLS AB
  • EP3330024B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3330024B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3330024B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

An anvil (21, 21', 21") for a cutting tool (23) includes an anvil body (55). A curved passage (57, 57', 57") extends from an inlet opening (59, 59', 59") in the anvil body (55) to an outlet opening (61, 61', 61a", 61b") in the anvil body. The anvil body (55) can be made by an additive manufacturing process.