Grooving Tool Blade Assembly for Low-Deflection Parting-Off

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Solution Overview

Problem

Metal cutting operations such as deep grooving and parting-off face challenges with vibrations, leading to tool breakage and poor surface finish, primarily due to deflection of cutting tools during cutting.

Innovation Solution

A blade portion design with a constant width and specific insert seating arrangement, where the main clearance surface and third surface face the same direction, reduces deflection by aligning the insert's cutting edge with the tangential force, thereby minimizing vibrations and allowing for a smaller insert width, improved surface finish, and reduced wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional blade portion design is used, then the tool can perform deep grooving or parting-off operations, but vibrations occur due to deflection of the cutting tool during cutting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration reductionVSAvoiddeflection resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The blade portion employs an asymmetric cross-sectional design where the distance from the fifth surface to the opposite blade portion end is greater than the distance from the third surface to the fourth surface. This asymmetric geometry strategically positions the insert seat and optimizes the distribution of material, enhancing resistance to deflection in the critical direction parallel to the tangential cutting force while maintaining operational effectiveness for deep grooving and parting-off operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If the blade portion is made more robust to reduce deflection, then vibration risk decreases, but the weight or size of the blade portion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration reductionVSAvoidblade portion weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The blade portion implements local quality optimization by concentrating material in specific regions where it is most needed for deflection resistance. The asymmetric cross-section places additional material distance from the fifth surface to the blade portion end, specifically in the region parallel to the tangential cutting force, while maintaining a constant blade width elsewhere. This localized reinforcement reduces vibration risk without proportionally increasing the overall weight or size of the blade portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If a larger insert width is used, then the cutting edge provides more support, but the insert seat complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting edge supportVSAvoidinsert seat complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert seat is designed with a segmented structure that includes a bottom surface and a rear surface, with the insert mounted such that portions of both surfaces are in contact with the insert seat. This segmentation allows the insert seat to provide distributed support to the cutting edge through multiple contact areas, enhancing structural support without requiring a single complex monolithic structure. The separation of support functions across different surfaces simplifies the overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3357613B1Assembly of a blade portion for a metal cutting grooving tool and insert
Publication Date: 2023.02.01 SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
  • EP3357613B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3357613B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3357613B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

A blade portion (2) for a grooving tool (1); the blade portion (2) comprising: opposite first and second surfaces (4, 5), wherein a blade width (13) is defined as a shortest distance between the first and second surfaces (4, 5); opposite third and fourth surfaces (8, 9); a fifth surface (6) and an opposite blade portion end (7); wherein the blade width (13) is constant or substantially constant from the fifth surface (6) up to the blade portion end (7); an insert seat (10) separating the third surface (8) and the fifth surface (6); wherein the insert seat (10) can receive an insert (3) comprising a main cutting edge (11), an associated rake face (12), and an associated main clearance surface (25); wherein the main cutting edge (11) defines an insert width (14) being greater than the blade width (13). The insert (3) is mountable in the insert seat (10) such that the main clearance surface (25) and the third surface (8) are facing in the same direction (15) or in substantially the same direction (15); and a shortest distance (16) from the fifth surface (6) to the opposite blade portion end (7) is greater than a shortest distance (17) from the third surface (8) to the fourth surface (9).