Helical Coolant Tool Holder for Vibration-Damped Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool holders and coolant systems for machine tools lack accuracy, rigidity, repeatability, and quick tool change capabilities, particularly in high-pressure through-spindle coolant systems, limiting their performance in machining processes.
Innovation Solution
A tool holder with integrated coolant channels designed for high-pressure coolant delivery, featuring helical coolant paths that counteract vibration and ensure uniform coolant distribution, manufactured via 3D printing to enhance rigidity and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coolant channels are used in existing tool holders, then coolant delivery is provided, but accuracy, rigidity, and vibration damping are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs helical coolant channels instead of straight channels, creating curved flow paths that generate centrifugal forces and swirl patterns. This curvature transforms the coolant flow into a vortex that provides dynamic balancing and vibration damping effects, directly improving accuracy and rigidity while maintaining reasonable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The helical channel configuration intentionally generates controlled vibration and swirl in the coolant flow to counteract harmful vibrations in the machining system. The rotating coolant stream creates dynamic balancing forces that reduce tool holder vibration, improving reliability without excessive complexity
2Productivity
If high-pressure coolant systems are implemented, then cutting performance is improved, but vibration and instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The helical coolant channels create a counter-rotating vortex that acts as a hydraulic counterweight to balance the centrifugal forces generated by high-speed machining. This internal hydraulic balancing system counteracts the destabilizing effects of high-pressure coolant delivery, maintaining stability while enabling high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by creating a swirling coolant flow that generates dynamic balancing forces. The helical channel design transforms linear coolant pressure into rotational hydraulic energy, using fluid dynamics to provide vibration damping and stability enhancement in high-pressure coolant systems
3Manufacturing precision
If straight coolant channels are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but vibration damping and precision are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the coolant channels from straight to helical configurations, introducing curvature and pitch parameters. This parameter transformation enables vibration damping and precision improvement while modern manufacturing methods like 5-axis CNC machining make the fabrication of complex helical channels increasingly feasible
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
The tool holder provides improved accuracy, rigidity, and vibration damping, enabling high-speed machining with enhanced coolant delivery and tool retention, thereby increasing production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The coolant channels can have a second portion comprising the helical paths. This orientation forms an anti-vibration halo around the bore such that in operation coolant flowing through the counter-clockwise path of the second portion of each of the plurality of coolant channels counter-acts clockwise rotation of the tool holder to dampen vibration
Implementation Method 2
Many of these are also high-pressure coolant systems, in which the operating pressure can be hundreds to several thousand psi
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of coolant channels extending from a coolant reservoir in the first section of the tool holder in a counter-clockwise helical path around the bore to a circular channel extending three-hundred and sixty degrees around the bore with a plurality of equally spaced openings in the front face of the tool holding section extending at an angle to the circular channel.