Indexable Cutting Tool Tip Temporal Fixing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing indexable face milling cutters face difficulties in securely and efficiently replacing small-size or indexable tips due to the risk of the tip being dropped or misplaced during insertion and removal, especially when the opening is aligned with the gravity direction.

Innovation Solution

A temporal fixing mechanism is introduced, featuring a concave groove and convex portion configuration that restricts the tip's movement to a predetermined direction, ensuring it remains seated and preventing dropping, with the convex portion fitting into the concave groove to facilitate easy insertion and removal while maintaining stability and positioning accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the opening of the concave portion is directed in the gravity direction to facilitate insert insertion and removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the insert may be dropped and missed, worsening the reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insert insertion and removalVSAvoidrisk of insert being dropped
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a retaining wall that prevents the insert from falling out before any removal operation occurs. The retaining wall is configured to contact the insert and prevent it from dropping when the opening is directed downward, thus counteracting the harmful effect of gravity on small or indexable inserts while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Manufacturing precision

If the tip is small in size to improve cutting precision, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the tip is easily dropped and missed during replacement, worsening the ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidease of replacement operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining wall provides preliminary protection against the insert being dropped during replacement operations. By configuring the retaining wall to contact and retain the insert, the system prevents the harmful effect of small insert size making them easy to drop and miss, thus improving ease of operation without sacrificing the manufacturing precision benefits of small inserts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP2298479B1Method for temporal fixing of a tip to a cutting tool
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 TUNGALOY CORP
  • EP2298479B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2298479B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2298479B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a temporal fixing mechanism for tip suitable for facilitating replacement operation of tip and an indexable cutting tool with the mechanism. At least one concave groove or convex portion is located in a predetermined position of the tip. A convex portion or a concave groove is provided in at least one of the tip mounting seat and the fixing means to be capable of being engaging to the concave groove and the convex portion of the tip. The concave groove extends substantially in parallel with the seat face of the tip mounting seat and the convex portion is inserted and fitted into the concave groove so as to be engaged thereto when the tip is inserted into the tip mounting seat and is taken out of the tip mounting seat, causing the tip to be movable only in a predetermined direction to the tip mounting seat.