Cutting Insert Flank Groove for Coolant Delivery at the Cutting Edge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cutting inserts face challenges in effectively supplying coolant to the cutting edge due to the coolant supply hole's distant location from the coolant holding portion, resulting in most coolant being blocked by the workpiece during cutting, leading to inadequate cooling and lubrication.

Innovation Solution

A cutting insert design featuring a coolant flow path with a coolant ejection hole and a coolant guide groove on the flank face that extends close to the cutting edge, ensuring coolant delivery even when the flank face is in close contact with the workpiece, while maintaining structural strength by adjusting the groove's cross-sectional area and depth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the coolant supply hole is positioned away from the cutting edge, then the structural strength of the cutting insert is maintained, but the coolant cannot be effectively supplied to the cutting edge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoolant supply effectivenessVSAvoidstructural strength of cutting insert

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant delivery system is divided into two functional parts: a coolant supply hole positioned away from the cutting edge for structural integrity, and a coolant guide groove extending close to the cutting edge for effective coolant delivery. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coolant guide groove acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the coolant supply hole and the cutting edge. It guides the coolant from the supply hole to the cutting edge, enabling effective coolant delivery without requiring the supply hole to be positioned close to the cutting edge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the coolant guide groove extends close to the cutting edge, then coolant delivery is improved, but the structural strength near the cutting edge is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoolant delivery to cutting edgeVSAvoidstrength near cutting edge

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant guide groove is designed with specific local characteristics: it extends close to the cutting edge to improve coolant delivery, but its cross-sectional area and depth are optimized to minimize strength reduction. The groove's dimensions are carefully controlled to balance coolant access with structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cross-sectional area and depth of the coolant guide groove are optimized parameters that control both coolant flow effectiveness and structural strength. By adjusting these parameters, the design achieves the optimal balance between coolant delivery and maintaining sufficient strength near the cutting edge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the coolant guide groove has larger cross-sectional area, then coolant flow is improved, but the strength of the flank face is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoolant flow efficiencyVSAvoidflank face strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cross-sectional area of the coolant guide groove is optimized to achieve the right balance between coolant flow efficiency and flank face strength. The parameter is carefully controlled to ensure sufficient coolant flow while maintaining the structural integrity of the flank face.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design securely supplies coolant to the cutting edge, enhancing cooling and lubrication while minimizing strength reduction at the cutting edge, with the coolant guide groove's dimensions optimized to prevent coolant entry due to surface tension and facilitate efficient coolant flow.

Implementation Method 1

A coolant flow path is provided inside the cutting insert. One end portion of the coolant flow path opens in the flank face to form a coolant ejection hole. The flank face is provided with a coolant guide groove extending from the coolant ejection hole toward the cutting edge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

the coolant guide groove's dimensions optimized to prevent coolant entry due to surface tension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentUS11554427B2Cutting insert and method for manufacturing cutting insert

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC HARDMETAL CORP

AI summary

A cutting insert according to one embodiment includes: a rake face; a flank face continuous to the rake face; and a cutting edge constituted of a ridgeline between the rake face and the flank face. A coolant flow path is provided inside the cutting insert. One end portion of the coolant flow path opens in the flank face to form a coolant ejection hole. The flank face is provided with a coolant guide groove extending from the coolant ejection hole toward the cutting edge with a base end portion of the coolant guide groove being connected to the coolant ejection hole and with a front end portion of the coolant guide groove being disposed at a position close to the cutting edge relative to the base end portion.