Diamond-Coated Grinding Endmill for Hardened Ceramics

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary grinding tools for machining hardened ceramics are prone to wear and damage, leading to frequent replacement and reduced longevity, especially during milling operations in 'conventional mode' where tools endure increased wear at the leading edge.

Innovation Solution

A rotary grinding tool with a cylindrically shaped body featuring electroplated diamond-coated carbide or steel bits, including a grinding portion with flutes and grinding elements, where the leading edge has a smaller radius than the trailing edge, reducing wear and damage by gradually climbing into the workpiece, and a central conduit for coolant delivery to reduce heat and pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional milling mode is used with traditional grinding tools, then machining operation can be performed, but tool wear and damage increase significantly leading to frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining operation capabilityVSAvoidtool longevity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The grinding tool employs a composite structure combining a carbide or steel body with an electroplated diamond coating. This composite material approach provides both the structural integrity of the substrate and the extreme hardness/wear resistance of the diamond layer, enabling the tool to withstand the high wear rates encountered in conventional milling of hardened ceramics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The diamond coating is applied selectively to the grinding surface and leading edge areas where wear occurs most intensely. This localized application of ultra-hard material provides enhanced wear resistance precisely where needed, while maintaining the toughness of the carbide or steel body in non-contact regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the leading edge has a larger radius for strength, then tool durability improves, but wear and damage at the leading edge increase during milling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleading edge strengthVSAvoidwear and damage at leading edge
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The leading edge combines a carbide or steel substrate providing structural strength with an electroplated diamond coating providing wear resistance. This composite construction allows the leading edge to maintain both mechanical strength and resistance to abrasive wear and chipping that would otherwise occur with large-radius edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The tool employs a smaller leading edge radius compared to traditional tools, which concentrates the cutting action but is compensated by the extreme hardness of the diamond coating. This parameter change reduces the surface area subject to wear while maintaining sufficient strength through the composite structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If milling operations are performed without coolant delivery, then tool structure remains simple, but heat buildup increases causing tool damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool structure simplicityVSAvoidheat buildup
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The tool incorporates an internal coolant delivery system with channels that transport coolant from the shank through the tool body to the grinding portion. This hydraulic approach delivers coolant directly to the cutting zone, effectively removing heat generated during milling of hardened ceramics without significantly increasing external tool complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Productivity

If traditional grinding tools are used for hardened ceramics, then machining can be performed, but tools require frequent replacement reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining capabilityVSAvoidtool replacement frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electroplated diamond coating on the carbide or steel body provides exceptional wear resistance that extends tool life many times beyond traditional grinding tools. This composite structure maintains machining capability for hardened ceramics while dramatically reducing the frequency of tool replacement and associated downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 tool exhibits reduced wear and damage, enhancing durability and efficiency in milling hardened ceramics, prolonging tool life and improving machining quality by minimizing chipping and heat buildup.

Implementation Method 1

electroplated diamond coated carbide or steel bits used to grind hardened ceramic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

a central conduit for coolant delivery to reduce heat and pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3134224B1Diamond plated grinding endmill for advanced hardened ceramics machining
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 GWS TOOL LLC
  • EP3134224B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3134224B1 patent drawingFigure 3A
  • EP3134224B1 patent drawingFigure 3B

AI summary

A grinding tool for reducing damage to the tool during a milling operation is provided in an embodiment herein, including a generally cylindrical body having a first and second end, a grinding portion adjacent to the first end and a shank portion adjacent to the second end. An outer surface of the tool includes a diamond coating, two or more flutes formed in the grinding portion, and at least one grinding element formed in the grinding portion between the two or more flutes, wherein the flutes and grinding element are disposed along a longitudinal axis of the tool. The at least one grinding element includes a grinding surface, a leading edge and a trailing edge. A first radius at the leading edge of the grinding element is smaller than a second radius at the trailing edge of the grinding element.