Cutting Insert Die Sealing for Non-Planar Parting Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for compacting powders into barrel-shaped cutting insert green bodies with non-planar or non-perpendicular parting lines face difficulties in efficient powder filling and sealing, leading to potential powder leakage and compromised sealing between die parts.

Innovation Solution

The method involves designing a die system with a lower die part having an upper inner edge along the parting line and an upper die part with a rectilinear upper surface and opening, allowing for efficient powder filling and compacting, even when the parting line is not planar or perpendicular to the pressing axis, by enabling a sliding powder-filling device and ensuring proper alignment and contact between die parts for stable engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the die parts are designed with a non-planar parting line to produce complex barrel-shaped green bodies, then the versatility of the compaction device is improved, but the sealing between die parts deteriorates leading to powder leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to produce green bodies with non-planar parting linesVSAvoidsealing between die parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible sealing element (membrane) is introduced between the upper and lower die parts to accommodate non-planar parting lines while maintaining sealing. The membrane can deform to match the complex geometry of the parting line, preventing powder leakage despite the irregular interface between die parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing membrane acts as an intermediary element between the die parts, mediating the connection while allowing for geometric complexity. It transfers the sealing function from the die-part interface to a dedicated flexible component that can adapt to any parting line configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the upper die part has a complex upper surface geometry to match non-planar parting lines, then the manufacturing precision of the green body is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in powder filling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of green body shapeVSAvoidease of powder filling

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the upper die part complex to achieve the desired green body shape, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple upper die part with a planar upper surface and achieving shape precision through the sealing membrane and lower die part configuration. This simplifies powder filling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is segmented from the die part structure and assigned to a separate flexible membrane component. This allows the die parts to maintain simple, easy-to-operate geometries while the membrane provides the necessary sealing for complex green body shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the die cavity is designed to accommodate non-perpendicular parting lines, then the adaptability of the device is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sealing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle non-perpendicular parting linesVSAvoidcomplexity of sealing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible sealing membrane serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing, accommodates non-planar geometries, and allows for easy die part assembly and disassembly. This single component handles what would otherwise require multiple complex sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing approach changes from rigid geometric matching to flexible deformation. By allowing the membrane to change its physical state (from flat to deformed), the system achieves adaptability without increasing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9956611B2Method and a device for manufacturing a cutting insert green body

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 SECO TOOLS AB

AI summary

A device for manufacturing a cutting insert green body by compacting a powder includes a die having an upper die part and a lower die, an upper punch and a lower punch, at least one of which is moveable along a pressing axis in relation to the die. The upper and lower die parts, when joined, define a die cavity that defines the shape of the green body to be formed by the compaction. At least one of the lower and upper die part has a pressing bore extending from the cavity for receiving the lower and upper punch. The upper die part has an upper surface that, at least in one direction, extends rectilinearly, and the upper die part has an upper opening in the upper surface, through which the upper punch is arranged to be forwarded into the cavity.