3D-Printed Diamond Tool Segment Without Dressing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing diamond tools require a dressing process to expose diamond grains, which is time-consuming and costly, and can cause thermal deformation of the shank and limit tool size due to high heat processes.

Innovation Solution

A segment for a diamond tool is manufactured by sintering or hot pressing a mixture of diamond grains and a first powder, with an auxiliary stone part formed through 3D printing using a laser to laminate diamond grains and a second powder, eliminating the need for a dressing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dressing process is performed to expose diamond grains through the segment surface, then initial cutting force is improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial cutting forceVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forming protrusions on the segment surface during the sintering process itself, before the segment is installed on the tool. The protrusions are created by controlling the sintering conditions so that diamond grains naturally protrude from the segment surface, eliminating the need for subsequent dressing operations. This advance preparation resolves the contradiction by achieving good initial cutting force without the time-consuming dressing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a dressing process is performed to expose diamond grains, then initial cutting force is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial cutting forceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs the grain exposure action during the primary sintering process rather than as a separate dressing operation. By controlling sintering parameters (temperature, pressure, atmosphere) to naturally form protrusions, the process integrates what would otherwise be a separate costly operation into the base manufacturing step, thereby reducing total manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable initial cutting force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If high heat processes like laser ablation or electrolysis are used for dressing, then diamond grains are exposed, but thermal deformation of the shank occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediamond grain exposureVSAvoidshank dimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs grain exposure during the sintering process at temperatures controlled to affect only the segment material, not the attached shank. By timing the grain protrusion formation to occur during segment sintering before or during controlled cooling, the method achieves diamond grain exposure without subjecting the shank to the extreme localized heat of laser ablation or electrolysis, thus preventing thermal deformation and maintaining shank dimensional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If conventional fusion methods are used to form auxiliary stone parts, then diamond grains can be fused, but the shank undergoes thermal deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediamond grain fusionVSAvoidshank dimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs diamond grain fusion during the initial sintering process under controlled atmosphere and temperature conditions that are sufficient to fuse diamond grains to the segment matrix but controlled in duration and distribution to avoid excessive heat accumulation that would deform the shank. The sintering process parameters are optimized to achieve grain fusion while limiting thermal exposure of the shank, resolving the contradiction between effective grain fusion and shank stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces thermal deformation, and ensures excellent initial cutting force without a dressing process, providing automated formation and reduced processing time.

Implementation Method 1

an auxiliary stone part printed on the segment by 3D printing by which the diamond grains and a second powder are melted and laminated with a laser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser melting: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a segment manufactured by sintering or hot-pressing a mixture formed by mixing diamond grains and a first powder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP4670888A1Segment for diamond tool and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 SHINHAN DIAMOND IND CO LTD
  • EP4670888A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4670888A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4670888A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A segment for a diamond tool according to the present invention includes a segment manufactured by sintering or hot-pressing a mixture formed by mixing diamond grains and a first powder, and an auxiliary stone part printed on the segment by 3D printing by which the diamond grains and second powder are melted and laminated with a laser.