Internal Coolant Passage Assembly for Low-Backpressure CNC Tooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tooling assemblies for CNC machines with internal coolant passages often suffer from missed connections, backpressure, and turbulent fluid flow due to straight uniform passages, which can shorten tool life.
Innovation Solution
The tooling assembly features a holder and tool body with internal passages that include a stem channel and curved channels, with tapered transitions and varying cross-sectional dimensions, designed to improve coolant flow and reduce backpressure, featuring multiple inlets and outlets for even coolant distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If straight uniform passages are used for coolant flow, then the passage structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but missed connections and overshoot occur causing backpressure and turbulent fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the coolant passages by implementing curved channels instead of straight passages. The curved channels include transition portions that gradually change cross-sectional dimensions, which eliminates missed connections and overshoot issues while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through optimized toolpath design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the coolant passages by varying the cross-sectional dimensions along the channel length. The transition portions feature gradually changing cross-sections that control fluid flow velocity and pressure, preventing turbulence and backpressure while ensuring reliable coolant delivery to cutting edges.
2Ease of manufacture
If straight uniform passages are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but backpressure increases and tool life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved channel design with gradual transitions eliminates sharp corners and abrupt direction changes, reducing stress concentrations and fluid turbulence. This improves coolant flow consistency and reduces thermal cycling stress on the tool, thereby extending tool life while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through advanced machining techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
By varying the cross-sectional parameters of the coolant passages along their length, the patent optimizes flow velocity and pressure distribution. This prevents backpressure buildup that would otherwise cause inconsistent coolant delivery and premature tool failure, while the variations can be implemented through controlled machining processes.
3Device complexity
If straight uniform passages are used, then the passage design is simple, but turbulent fluid flow occurs reducing cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The curved channels with gradual transition portions guide coolant flow smoothly from the holder to the tool body, eliminating turbulent flow patterns. The curvature radius and transition geometry are designed to maintain laminar flow, maximizing cooling efficiency while the overall passage design remains relatively simple and can be manufactured using conventional techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes cooling efficiency by varying the cross-sectional parameters of the coolant passages. The transition portions feature gradually changing dimensions that control flow velocity and pressure, ensuring laminar flow conditions that maximize heat transfer efficiency without requiring complex multi-channel designs.
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
This design enhances coolant flow efficiency, reduces backpressure, and extends tool life by ensuring consistent coolant delivery to cutting edges, improving machining performance in both MQL and fluid cooling applications.
Implementation Method 1
The internal passage is operable to have a coolant fluid flow within, and has a stem channel and a curved channel extending from the stem channel
Implementation Method 2
Both methods are prone to creating passages that have missed connections and/or overshoot, which can cause backpressure, turbulent fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
The internal passage has a tapered portion connecting the stem channel and the curved channel
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed toward a tooling assembly for a machine having an automatic tool changing system. The tooling assembly includes a holder, a tool body, and an internal passage defined within and extending through the holder and the tool body. The holder includes a machine interface configured to engage with a spindle of the machine. The internal passage is operable to have a coolant fluid flow within, and has a stem channel and a curved channel extending from the stem channel.