Cutting Insert With Evolutive Wedge Angle

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting inserts face a trade-off between facilitating material cutting and maintaining cutting edge strength, as a narrow wedge angle improves cutting but compromises strength, and vice versa.

Innovation Solution

A circular cutting insert with an evolutive wedge angle that varies as a function of circumferential position about the central axis, allowing for different wedge angles along the cutting edge to balance cutting ease and strength, achieved by adjusting the clearance and top edge surface angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a narrow wedge angle is used to facilitate cutting of material, then cutting ease is improved, but cutting edge strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting easeVSAvoidcutting edge strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting insert employs different wedge angles at different locations along the cutting edge. Specifically, the vertex area (deepest penetration point) has a narrower wedge angle to facilitate cutting, while other areas have wider wedge angles to provide strength. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to have the angle optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting edge is segmented into multiple zones with different wedge angles. The insert surface is divided such that the vertex region has one angle configuration and other regions have different angle configurations. This segmentation allows the cutting edge to simultaneously achieve cutting effectiveness and structural strength in different segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If a wide wedge angle is used to maintain cutting edge strength, then cutting edge strength is improved, but cutting ease deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting edge strengthVSAvoidcutting ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the cutting edge are assigned different wedge angles based on their functional requirements. Non-vertex areas with wider wedge angles provide the necessary strength and stability, while the vertex area maintains a narrower angle for effective material removal. This local optimization resolves the contradiction between strength and cutting ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting insert's cutting edge is divided into functional segments where the majority of the circumference has wider wedge angles for strength, while a specific vertex segment has a narrower wedge angle for cutting performance. This segmentation strategy allows the insert to maintain overall strength while providing localized cutting effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9186733B2Cutting insert with evolutive wedge or clearance angle and toolholder using such a cutting insert

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 SECO TOOLS AB

AI summary

A circular cutting insert includes a top surface having a top edge portion, a side surface having a clearance surface and a clearance edge portion. A cutting edge is formed between the clearance edge portion and the top edge portion. The clearance edge portion and the top edge portion form a wedge angle. The wedge angle varies as a function of circumferential position about a central axis of the insert relative to a point on the cutting edge.