Double-Sided Milling Insert Geometry for Low-Vibration Finishing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting inserts experience suboptimal performance at small and intermediate cutting depths, leading to vibrations during milling operations, especially with long tool overhangs, which negatively impacts surface finish quality.

Innovation Solution

A cutting insert design featuring a major wiper edge that slopes downward from the corner edge toward the major cutting edge, reducing cutting loads and vibrations, along with a double-sided configuration that maintains smooth cutting performance even at negative axial tipping-in angles, and includes a chip formation surface with a larger width inside the corner edges for enhanced surface finishing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional cutting edge shapes are used, then chip removal is effective, but cutting forces become large causing vibrations during milling, especially with long tool overhangs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip removal efficiencyVSAvoidvibrations during milling
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting insert is divided into multiple functional zones: a major cutting edge for primary material removal, a minor cutting edge for finishing, and wiper edges for surface quality. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally, reducing overall cutting forces and vibrations while maintaining effective chip removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the cutting insert have different geometries and functions. The major cutting edge has a specific rake angle for efficient cutting, the minor cutting edge has a different geometry for finishing, and the wiper edges have unique profiles for surface quality. This local differentiation optimizes performance at each location while minimizing harmful vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional wiper edges are used for surface finishing, then surface quality improves, but cutting performance at small and intermediate cutting depths becomes suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface finish qualityVSAvoidcutting performance at small and intermediate depths
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting insert is designed with multiple edges that can serve different functions. The major cutting edge handles primary material removal at various depths, the minor cutting edge provides finishing capability, and the wiper edges ensure surface quality. This multi-functionality allows the insert to perform optimally across a wide range of cutting depths from small to large.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If single-sided cutting inserts are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but versatility for different operations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsert manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsuitability for different milling operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting insert employs an asymmetric design with a double-sided configuration where each side has differently oriented cutting edges and wiper edges. This asymmetry allows the insert to be used for various operations including contouring, copy milling, shoulder milling, and ramping by simply changing the insert orientation, thereby enhancing versatility without significantly complicating manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3315235B1A cutting insert and a milling tool
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 PRAMET TOOLS SRO
  • EP3315235B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3315235B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3315235B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An indexable cutting insert (201) for a milling tool, comprising: - an upper side (202); - a lower side (203); - a side surface (204) connecting the upper and lower sides; - at least two identical upper cutting edges (205), each comprising a chip removing major cutting edge (210) and a minor cutting edge (211) extending on opposite sides of a corner edge (209), a major wiper edge (212) extending between the corner edge and the major cutting edge, and a minor wiper edge (213) extending between the corner edge and the minor cutting edge, wherein, as seen in a top view, the major cutting edge and the major wiper edge form an obtuse inner angle of less than 180° and, as seen in a side view, the major wiper edge slopes downward from the corner edge toward the major cutting edge, and the major cutting edge has a first portion (219) sloping downward from the major wiper edge and a second portion (220) which extends in parallel with the upper side.