Cutting Tool Fluid Channel Geometry for Stable MQL Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting tools are not suitable for minimum quantity lubricating (MQL) machining as the small droplets of fluid tend to merge into larger volumes, leading to insufficient liquid supply to the cutting inserts.
Innovation Solution
A cutting tool component with a main channel and deflection element featuring a deflection surface that redirects fluid flow to reduce turbulence, ensuring a precise mixture of liquid and gas is supplied to the cutting inserts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional fluid channels are used for MQL machining, then fluid can be supplied to cutting inserts, but small droplets merge into larger volumes causing insufficient lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection surface is designed with a curved, converging geometry that redirects fluid flow smoothly from the main channel into distribution channels. This curved surface configuration reduces flow separation and turbulence, preventing droplet coalescence and maintaining the stable liquid-gas mixture composition throughout the fluid channel system.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection element changes the flow direction parameters gradually along its converging surface rather than creating abrupt directional changes. This gradual parameter change in flow direction reduces turbulence intensity and prevents the merging of small droplets, thereby maintaining the intended fluid mixture composition for effective MQL lubrication.
2Ease of operation
If fluid is redirected abruptly at openings, then distribution to cutting inserts is achieved, but turbulence causes droplets to form larger liquid volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection surface employs a curved, converging geometry that guides fluid flow smoothly into distribution channels. This curved configuration eliminates abrupt directional changes at openings, reducing flow separation and turbulence that would otherwise cause droplet coalescence and harmful liquid volume formation.
3Reliability
If only liquid is supplied to cutting inserts, then fluid can reach the cutting zone, but lubrication effectiveness is insufficient for MQL machining
Solution Approach 1:
The curved deflection surface maintains flow stability and prevents turbulence-induced droplet merging throughout the fluid channel system. This ensures that the delicate liquid-gas mixture composition remains stable from the main channel through distribution channels to the cutting inserts, preserving the intended MQL lubrication effectiveness.
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
The solution effectively maintains the delicate mixture of liquid and gas, preventing droplet merging and ensuring sufficient lubrication during MQL machining.
Implementation Method 1
Thanks to the inventive deflection element with the deflection surface, a fluid flowing through the main channel is redirected in an upstream location relative the openings in the main channel instead of at the openings. Furthermore, due to the extension of the deflection surface, the directional change takes place along the deflection surface and is thus less abrupt. Thereby, turbulence is avoided such that a main cause for droplets forming larger liquid volumes is reduced.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cutting tool component for a metal cutting tool, wherein the component comprises a main body (8). The main body (8) comprises an internal fluid channel (5) extending from an upstream end (6) forward to a downstream end. The internal fluid channel (5) comprises a main channel (9) which has a main front end and a main central axis (12), wherein the main channel (9) extends from the main front end rearward along the main central axis (12) toward the upstream end (6). The main channel (12) has a plurality of openings (13) at the main front end. The internal fluid channel (5) comprises a plurality of distribution channels (10), wherein each distribution channel (10) extends from a respective one of the openings (13) forward toward the downstream end. The cutting tool component further comprises a deflection element (17), which deflection element (17) comprises a deflection surface (18) arranged in the main channel (9), wherein the deflection surface (18) has a front edge (19) at each respective opening and converges rearward from the front edge (19) toward the main central axis (12).