Circular Cutting Insert Seat With Anti-Rotation Stop Geometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cutting tools with circular cutting inserts face issues such as rotation within the insert seat during machining, leading to mechanical failure and imprecise positioning, especially for small inserts with manufacturing tolerances, and existing anti-rotation mechanisms are not suitable for small inserts and are prone to wear.

Innovation Solution

A cutting tool design featuring a circular cutting insert with anti-rotation stopping indents and a concavely curved duct to prevent rotation and accommodate manufacturing deviations, providing a stable anti-rotation mechanism and improved indexing for longer tool life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sinusoidal anti-rotation mechanism with protrusions is used, then rotation of the cutting insert is prevented, but the bottom surface area of the cutting insert is reduced and the mechanism is subject to wear leading to deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-rotation stabilityVSAvoidbottom surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-rotation mechanism is segmented into discrete stopping indents (typically 2-4 indents spaced around the circumference) rather than a continuous sinusoidal pattern. This segmentation reduces the total area occupied by anti-rotation features while maintaining effective rotation prevention, thereby preserving more bottom surface area for small cutting inserts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-rotation stopping indents are designed as simple, robust features that can accommodate wear without requiring precise geometric integrity. The mechanism accepts that wear will occur but designs the stopping indents to remain functional throughout the expected service life, eliminating the need for frequent tool body changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If a sinusoidal anti-rotation mechanism is used, then rotation is prevented, but the protrusions deform due to wear making it difficult to position cutting inserts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-rotation functionVSAvoidinsert positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stopping indents are designed with asymmetric geometry where the stopping surface is positioned to provide consistent anti-rotation contact regardless of wear. The indents have a preferred orientation that guides the cutting insert into the correct rotational position, maintaining positioning accuracy even as wear occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from a sinusoidal pattern with fixed geometric precision requirements to discrete stopping indents with tolerance-compensating geometry. The stopping indents are designed to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and wear through their geometric configuration, maintaining functional reliability without requiring tight tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If circular cutting inserts are used, then continuous cutting edge is achieved, but rotation within the insert seat becomes problematic due to frusto-conical sidewalls and curved support surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting continuityVSAvoidinsert rotational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The stopping indents are pre-formed on the cutting insert before mounting, creating predetermined rotation stop points. This preliminary anti-rotation action prevents the insert from rotating during machining operations, solving the instability issue inherent in circular inserts with frusto-conical sidewalls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If circular cutting inserts are used, then continuous cutting edge is achieved, but positioning at indexing positions becomes imprecise due to absence of straight edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting continuityVSAvoidindexing position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stopping indents are pre-formed on the cutting insert to establish precise indexing positions before the insert is mounted in the tool body. These pre-formed features provide positive location at indexing positions, eliminating the positioning imprecision that would otherwise result from the circular shape lacking straight edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3643439B1A cutting tool
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 SECO TOOLS AB
  • EP3643439B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3643439B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3643439B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10

AI summary

A cutting tool comprising a body (100) and a circular cutting insert (200) mounted in an insert seat (104) of the body (100), the cutting insert comprising an anti-rotation stopping indent (205) formed in a transition between a bottom surface (202) and a side surface (203) of the cutting insert and comprising a first stop surface (206), the insert seat comprising at least one anti-rotation stop (108), which protrudes with respect to a side wall (107) of the insert seat and comprises a second stop surface (109), a concavely curved first duct (110) separating the second stop surface from the side wall. The anti-rotation stop is adapted to inhibit rotation of the cutting insert in the insert seat by contact between the first and second stop surfaces. The second stop surface is completely located within the anti-rotation stopping indent when the cutting insert is mounted. Seen in a section perpendicular to a common central axis, an angle of less than 180° is formed between a tangent to the second stop surface and a tangent to the first duct at a transition between the two.