Cutting Tool Coolant Channels Through the Cutting Web

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting tools require complex and costly manufacturing processes for coolant channel systems, leading to material weakening and precise positioning challenges, which hinder efficient cooling and chip removal during machining.

Innovation Solution

A cutting tool design with a coolant channel system integrated into the tool body, where branch channels exclusively run through the cutting web and not the cutting insert, ensuring continuous coolant supply and reducing material weakening, with branch channels positioned to optimize coolant distribution and chip flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If coolant channel sections are machined into the cutting insert using spark erosion or laser processes, then cooling and chip removal are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the coolant channel function from the cutting insert and relocates it to the tool body. The coolant channels are formed exclusively in the tool body using simple drilling processes, eliminating the need for complex spark erosion or laser processes in the cutting insert. This maintains cooling efficiency while dramatically simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The coolant delivery system is segmented into two distinct parts: coolant channels in the tool body and coolant outlets on the cutting ridge surface. This separation allows each component to be manufactured using appropriate, simplified processes while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If coolant channel sections are machined through the cutting insert, then cooling is improved, but the cutting insert strength is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidcutting insert strength
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant channels are extracted from the cutting insert structure and relocated to the tool body. This removes the weakening effect of drilled channels from the cutting insert while preserving the cooling function through the tool body's channel system and surface outlets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the cutting insert is precisely positioned on the cutting land to align coolant channels, then coolant supply continuity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoolant supply continuityVSAvoidcutting insert positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the coolant channels from the cutting insert and placing them in the tool body, the invention eliminates the alignment interface between coolant channels and cutting insert. The coolant outlets on the cutting ridge surface provide direct access without requiring precise positional alignment, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Strength

If the rod-shaped cutting insert is made sufficiently thick to withstand forces, then structural strength is maintained, but the benefit of coolant channel integration is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting insert structural strengthVSAvoidcoolant delivery efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the coolant delivery function from the cutting insert interior, allowing the cutting insert to be optimized for strength without internal channels. The coolant outlets on the cutting ridge surface provide efficient coolant delivery directly to the cutting zone without compromising the insert's structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design simplifies manufacturing, maintains cutting insert strength, and enhances cooling and chip removal efficiency by directing coolant effectively to the cutting edge, reducing alignment errors and increasing coolant pressure at the mouth opening.

Implementation Method 1

In order to improve the cooling, chip removal and lubrication of at least one cutting insert, a central main channel guided through the tool body is to form a connection to at least one coolant channel section machined in the cutting insert

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

a central main channel guided through the tool body is to form a connection to at least one coolant channel section machined in the cutting insert with at least one mouth opening in the round chamfer surface and/or flank surface of the cutting insert

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP4353388A1Machining tool
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 KUHLI GUIDO
  • EP4353388A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4353388A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP4353388A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a single- or multi-edged cutting tool, in particular a milling, reaming or drilling tool, with a tool body (12) extending along a central tool axis, which has at least one cutting edge (20) which carries a cutting insert (22) projecting radially beyond a circumferential surface (21) of the cutting edge (20) and having at least a circumferential cutting edge, and an integrated coolant channel system which has a main channel (28) guided along the tool axis (11) and at least one branch channel (29, 29a, 29b) for each cutting edge (20) branching off from the main channel (28) and guided through the cutting edge (20). According to the invention, the at least one branch channel (29, 29a, 29b) which is guided exclusively through the cutting edge (20) has an outlet opening (30, 30a, 30b) located in the lateral surface (21) of the cutting edge (20).