Double-Sided Milling Insert Geometry for Protected Indexable Edges

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of protecting cutting edge portions on double-sided milling cutting inserts increases with the number of individually useable edges, making it challenging to maintain high surface quality and reliability during machining, especially when milling 90-degree shoulders.

Innovation Solution

A double-sided milling cutting insert design featuring long main cutting edges and wiper edges with specific clearance surfaces and transitional shapes, allowing for efficient machining and protection of inactive cutting edges, enabling reliable milling of 90-degree shoulders with high surface quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of individually useable cutting edge portions is increased to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but the complexity of protecting cutting edge portions increases and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting insert employs asymmetric geometry where the corner surface and transitional surface are configured at specific angles (corner angle α between 60°-120°, transitional surface angle β between 30°-60°). This asymmetric design creates natural protection zones that shield inactive cutting edges while maintaining multiple usable cutting edges for high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Productivity

If the number of individually useable cutting edge portions is increased, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting insert is segmented into distinct functional zones: active cutting edges for material removal, corner surfaces for protection and transition, and transitional surfaces connecting different zones. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The corner surface and transitional surface serve multiple functions simultaneously: they protect inactive cutting edges from damage, provide smooth transitions between different cutting positions, and maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional protective components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If long main cutting edges and wiper edges are provided for efficient machining, then machining efficiency is improved, but the difficulty of protecting inactive cutting edges increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining efficiencyVSAvoidprotection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The corner surface and transitional surface are pre-configured with specific angles and geometries before machining operations begin. This preliminary configuration creates built-in protection zones that automatically shield inactive cutting edges during machining, eliminating the need for additional protective measures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3102354B1Double-sided milling cutting insert and milling tool
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 CERATIZIT LUXEMBOURG SARL
  • EP3102354B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3102354B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3102354B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A double-sided milling cutting insert (1 ) is provided, having a first cutting edge (5) arranged at an intersection of a top side (2) and a side surface (4), a second cutting edge (6) arranged at an intersection of a bottom side (3) and the side surface (4); each of the first and second cutting edges (5, 6) comprising three cutting edge portions (7) which are subsequently useable by indexing, the cutting edge portions (7) each comprising a cutting corner (53), a main cutting edge (50) adjacent to one side of the cutting corner (53), and a wiper edge (51) adjacent to the other side of the cutting corner (53). The main cutting edge (50) and the wiper edge (51) are each inclined towards the reference plane (XY) with increasing distance from the cutting corner (53) such that the first and second cutting edges (5, 6) have the largest distance to the reference plane (XY) in the regions of the cutting corners (53). The side surface (4) comprises a plurality of main clearance surfaces (40), a plurality of secondary clearance surfaces (41 ), and a plurality of curved corner surfaces (43). The curved corner surfaces (43) adjacent to the first cutting edge (5) transform into the secondary clearance surfaces (41) adjacent to the second cutting edge (6) via transitional surfaces (42) such that the curved corner surfaces (43) protrude further to the outside than the secondary clearance surfaces (41).