Cutting Tool Stabilizer Bearing for Build Platform Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
In additive manufacturing processes, cutting tools often lack stability during operation, leading to reduced accuracy, increased tool breakages, and poor surface finish due to unsupported distal ends when dealing with densely arranged or large-base parts, resulting in reduced rigidity and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a cutting tool assembly with a stabilizer that engages the build platform, providing additional support and stability through a bearing surface, which can be ceramic or patterned, and is designed to rotate with the cutting tool, allowing for improved rigidity and chip management via fluid communication and guard structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the cutting tool is used without a stabilizer, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability and rigidity of the cutting tool deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A stabilizer component is introduced as an intermediary element between the cutting tool and the build platform. This stabilizer includes a bearing surface that contacts the build platform, providing additional support and stability to the cutting tool during operation without significantly increasing overall system complexity
2Ease of operation
If the cutting tool operates without distal end support, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision and surface finish quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer acts as a mediator that provides distal end support to the cutting tool by contacting the build platform. This support improves manufacturing precision and surface finish quality while maintaining ease of operation through simple integration into the existing cutting tool system
3Device complexity
If the cutting tool lacks distal end support, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and tool life deteriorate due to increased breakages
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer provides beforehand cushioning support to the distal end of the cutting tool during operation. This preventive support structure reduces tool breakages and improves reliability by distributing operational stresses before they can cause failure, while adding minimal complexity to the system
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 solution enhances the stability and accuracy of cutting tools, reduces tool breakages, and improves surface finish by ensuring the distal end of the cutting tool is supported during operations, even with densely arranged or large-base parts, thereby increasing the tool's useful life and quality of produced parts.
Implementation Method 1
Contact between the stabilizer and the reference surface stabilizes the cutting tool when the drive source rotates and/or moves the tool holder and the cutting tool relative to the reference surface
Data Source
AI summary
Stabilized cutting tool assemblies. A cutting tool assembly for use with a reference surface includes a tool holder having a rotational axis. The tool holder is arranged for attachment to a drive source arranged to rotate the tool holder and move the tool holder relative to a reference surface. The cutting tool assembly includes a rotatable cutting tool coupled to the tool holder. The cutting tool includes a cutting surface and has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed adjacent the tool holder. The cutting tool assembly includes a stabilizer coupled to the cutting tool adjacent the second portion. The stabilizer has a bearing surface. The bearing surface is positioned on the second portion to abut the reference surface and to stabilize the cutting tool when the drive source moves the tool holder and the cutting tool to a position adjacent the reference surface.