Segmented Disc Milling Cutter With Cylindrical Self-Centering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disc-shaped milling cutters face challenges in achieving accurate centering and holding, efficient cooling, and manufacturing complexity due to intricate coolant channel designs and thin thickness, which affect milling accuracy and tool lifetime.

Innovation Solution

A milling cutter design comprising two parts, a front end part with a disc-shaped cutter body and a back end part, featuring a primary holding member and secondary holding member that engage to form a secure locking interface, allowing for improved centering and torque transmission without obstructing insert seat manufacturing, and liquid channels extending outwardly for efficient cooling without the need for seals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a disc-shaped cutter body with thin thickness is used, then the milling cutter can achieve compact size and reduced weight, but the manufacturing of coolant channels becomes intricate and manufacturing precision is difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutter body volumeVSAvoidcoolant channel manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The milling cutter is divided into two separate parts: a front end part containing the disc-shaped cutter body and a back end part containing the holding members. This segmentation allows the front end part to be manufactured with simplified coolant channels that extend straight through the thin disc body, while the back end part is manufactured separately and assembled afterward, avoiding the complexity of manufacturing intricate channels in a single thin component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves the complex holding and centering functions from the thin disc plane to the axial dimension by adding back end part holding members that extend along the central axis. This dimensional transition allows straight coolant channels to be manufactured in the thin disc without requiring complex in-plane routing, as the holding structure operates in the axial direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If accurate centering and holding of the disc-shaped cutter body is implemented, then milling accuracy is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemilling accuracyVSAvoidcentering structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centering function is segmented from the disc body and implemented through dedicated holding members with cylindrical abutting surfaces. The front end part has an inner cylindrical surface while the back end part has an outer cylindrical surface, creating a simple concentric centering arrangement that achieves high milling accuracy without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical abutting surfaces of the holding members automatically provide centering when the parts are assembled together. The geometry of the concentric cylindrical surfaces self-aligns the front and back end parts, eliminating the need for additional centering mechanisms or complex adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the disc-shaped cutter body is cooled efficiently, then tool lifetime is extended, but the coolant channel design becomes intricate due to thin thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool lifetimeVSAvoidcoolant channel design
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is integrated into the front end part design with straight coolant channels extending from the outer periphery through the disc body to the central axis. This segmented approach allows simple straight channels rather than intricate in-plane routing, achieving efficient cooling of the thin disc body while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If insert seats extend through the rear side of the disc-shaped cutter body, then cutting insert accessibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsert accessibilityVSAvoidinsert seat manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The insert seats are integrated into the front end part design, allowing cutting inserts to be accessible from the rear side while maintaining simple manufacturing. The segmentation of the cutter into front and back end parts enables the insert seats to be formed in the front end part without requiring complex through-hole machining that would be needed in a single-piece construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design enhances centering and holding stability, simplifies manufacturing, and ensures efficient cooling and chip evacuation, leading to improved milling accuracy and extended tool lifetime.

Implementation Method 1

the inner cylindrical surface is abutting the outer cylindrical surface in an abutting region axially located at least between the front side and the rear side in order to center the front end part and the back end part to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical contact and abutting: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the back end part comprises a secondary holding member engaging the primary holding member when the front end part and the back end part are mounted to each other to form the milling cutter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical engagement and locking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

liquid channels extending outwardly for efficient cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through channels: Convection

Implementation Method 4

the front end part comprising a disc-shaped cutter body having a front side and a rear side and configured to rotate in a rotary direction around a central axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Data Source

PatentEP3782751B1A milling cutter
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 SECO TOOLS AB
  • EP3782751B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3782751B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3782751B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

A milling cutter (M) comprises a front end part (1) and a back end part (2). The front end part comprises a disc-shaped cutter body (3) having a front side, a rear side, a central axis (X), and a number of insert seats (4b). A primary holding member (6) extends from the rear side. The back end part comprises a secondary holding member (9) engaging the primary holding member (6) when the front and back end parts are mounted to each other. The disc-shaped cutter body comprises a central cylindrical aperture (22) extending coaxially with the central axis and comprising an inner cylindrical surface (22a). An outer cylindrical surface (20a) is provided on a front portion (20) of the secondary holding member. The inner cylindrical surface is abuts the outer cylindrical surface in an abutting region (23) between the front and the rear sides to center the front and back end parts.