Cutting Insert Clearance Geometry for Edge Bite Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cutting inserts with positive clearance angles are prone to damage during high-load machining due to excessive initial load on the cutting edge when biting into a workpiece, making them unsuitable for demanding cutting conditions.

Innovation Solution

A cutting insert design featuring a protruding portion on the major cutting edge with varying clearance angles, where the angle decreases near the corner edge and increases further away, and a second section with increased protrusion, enhancing edge strength and reducing chip entrapment risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a positive clearance angle is provided for the major cutting edges, then the cutting edge can smoothly engage with the workpiece, but the cutting edge is easily damaged at the moment of biting due to excessive initial load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth engagement of cutting edgeVSAvoiddamage resistance of cutting edge
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different clearance angle characteristics at different locations of the major cutting edge. Specifically, a first clearance angle changing portion is provided near the corner edge where the cutting edge first bites into the workpiece, with a smaller clearance angle to reduce initial load and prevent damage. A second clearance angle changing portion is provided farther from the corner edge with a larger clearance angle to ensure smooth engagement and chip flow. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between smooth engagement and damage resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the cutting insert has a conventional rectangular shape, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the major cutting edges are prone to damage under high-load cutting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidedge strength under load
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the conventional rectangular cutting insert by adding a protruding portion at the corner region where the major cutting edge connects to the corner edge. This protruding portion creates a localized reinforcement structure that increases edge strength precisely where the cutting edge is most vulnerable during biting. The rest of the insert maintains its simple rectangular shape, preserving ease of manufacture while locally enhancing strength where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the protruding portion has a uniform clearance angle, then the structure is simple, but chip entrapment occurs and the cutting edge strength is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotruding portion structureVSAvoidchip flow and edge durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the clearance angle parameter along the length of the protruding portion. The first clearance angle changing portion has a smaller clearance angle near the corner edge to strengthen the edge and prevent damage during initial biting. The second clearance angle changing portion has a larger clearance angle farther from the corner edge to facilitate chip flow and prevent entrapment. This gradual parameter change optimizes both edge strength and chip evacuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11192193B2Cutting insert
Publication Date: 2021.12.07 TUNGALOY CORP
  • US11192193B2 patent drawing
  • US11192193B2 patent drawing
  • US11192193B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An object of this disclosure is to provide a cutting insert that is shaped so that a major cutting edge is not damaged easily. In the cutting insert, a major cutting edge, a corner edge, a flat cutting edge and an inner cutting edge are formed on at least an upper surface, a protruding portion protruding outward is formed in a major cutting edge side surface portion of a side surface that corresponds to the major cutting edge, and a first section is formed in which, when viewed from above, the protrusion amount becomes smaller as the protruding portion separates from the corner edge. Furthermore, the cutting insert includes a first clearance angle changing portion in which a clearance angle becomes smaller as a major cutting edge flank portion formed in a major cutting edge side surface portion separates from the corner edge, and a second clearance angle changing portion in which the clearance angle becomes larger as the major cutting edge flank portion separates from the corner edge, wherein the first clearance angle changing portion is preferably positioned closer to the corner edge than the second clearance angle changing portion is, and, of end portions of the first clearance angle changing portion, the value of the clearance angle at a distal end portion from the corner edge is preferably negative.