Finishing Tool with Variable Cutting Width for Axial Contour Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional finishing processes are limited in their ability to significantly influence or change the axial contour of machined workpiece sections, particularly in maintaining precise shape values and correcting long-wave defects such as ovals or squares, which are not effectively addressed by existing methods like grinding or traditional finishing tools.

Innovation Solution

A finishing tool with a cutting surface whose effective width varies in the longitudinal direction, featuring a recess that reduces the cutting agent presence in certain areas, allowing for targeted material removal and contouring without altering the finish machine, enabling the generation of desired surface line shapes and correcting long-wavelength errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional finishing tool with uniform cutting surface is used, then the finishing process is simple and reliable, but the ability to influence axial contour and correct long-wave defects is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial contour precisionVSAvoidcutting surface structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting surface is designed with non-uniform effective width, where different axial regions have different cutting capabilities. The recesses create zones with reduced cutting agent presence, allowing selective material removal in specific areas to correct long-wave defects and achieve desired axial contours while maintaining overall process reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting surface is segmented into different functional zones through recesses, creating distinct areas with varying effective widths. This segmentation allows the finishing tool to address different contour requirements in different axial regions, improving precision without requiring complete redesign of the entire tool

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the effective width of cutting surface is reduced in certain areas, then long-wave defects can be corrected, but the total material removal capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-wave defect correctionVSAvoidmaterial removal rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses create localized zones with reduced cutting capability precisely where long-wave defect correction is needed, while other areas maintain full cutting effectiveness. This ensures productivity is preserved in regions where high material removal is beneficial, while precision is improved in regions requiring contour correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If a finishing tool with variable effective width is used, then axial contour can be controlled precisely, but the tool design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial contour controlVSAvoidtool design
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than designing a completely variable-width cutting surface, the invention uses discrete recesses at specific locations to achieve the desired axial contour. This localized approach achieves precision control with simpler design compared to continuously variable geometries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting surface is divided into discrete segments with different effective widths separated by recesses. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each zone's cutting characteristics while simplifying the overall tool design and manufacturing process

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

This approach allows for precise control over the axial contour of workpiece sections, enhancing surface finish and correcting long-wave defects, achieving a more consistent and accurate shape without the need for machine modifications, while maintaining high mechanical stability and efficient cooling.

Implementation Method 1

a granular cutting agent is pressed against the peripheral surface to be machined

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

cooling medium supply openings which open into the recesses and through which a cooling medium can be supplied

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3157709B1Finishing tool
Publication Date: 2018.09.26 NAGEL MASCHINEN UND WERKZEUGFABRIK GMBH
  • EP3157709B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3157709B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3157709B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5C

AI summary

A finishing tool (300) for finish-machining a rotationally symmetric workpiece portion of a workpiece which rotates about a workpiece rotation axis during the finish-machining has a cutting means carrier (310) and a cutting layer (320) which is fastened to the cutting means carrier. The cutting layer has a cutting face (325) which is intended to be pressed flat against the workpiece portion during finish-machining. The cutting layer defines a longitudinal direction (L) to be oriented substantially parallel to the workpiece rotation axis and a transverse direction (Q) extending perpendicularly thereto. The cutting face (325) has a concave shape in the transverse direction. An effective width, measured in the transverse direction (Q), of the cutting face varies in the longitudinal direction (L) of the cutting face.