Indexable Cutting Insert With Variable Width Clearance Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing indexable cutting inserts face challenges in providing multiple cutting edges and adequate reinforcement on small surface areas, limiting their indexability and durability in machining applications.

Innovation Solution

The design features a cutting insert with at least three primary cutting edges, each associated with a different side surface, including rake and clearance surfaces, and a unique clamping mechanism using tapered through holes to minimize surface area usage while ensuring secure mounting and reinforcement, allowing for multiple indexable positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the insert uses a substantial amount of surface area for supporting surfaces and reinforcement, then the insert can be securely mounted and cutting edges can be reinforced, but the number of indexable positions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure mounting and cutting edge reinforcementVSAvoidnumber of indexable positions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from conventional constant-width clearance surfaces to clearance surfaces of variable width, where the width changes along the length of the clearance surface. This dimensional variation allows the insert to maintain adequate support and reinforcement while creating additional indexable positions, effectively resolving the contradiction between secure mounting and indexability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of moving object

If small cutting inserts are used to fit small toolholders, then the insert size is reduced for compact applications, but it becomes difficult to provide multiple cutting edges and adequate reinforcement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsert sizeVSAvoidnumber of cutting edges and indexable positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by varying the width of clearance surfaces at different locations. Specifically, the clearance surfaces have different widths at different positions along the insert, allowing adequate reinforcement and multiple cutting edges to be accommodated on small inserts while maintaining the necessary support structures for secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional clearance surfaces of constant width are used, then the insert structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the surface area is insufficient for providing multiple cutting edges and reinforcement on small inserts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsert structure simplicityVSAvoidnumber of cutting edges
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of clearance surface width from constant to variable. By making the clearance surfaces of variable width rather than constant width, the insert can provide multiple cutting edges and adequate reinforcement on small inserts while remaining manufacturable through conventional pressing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2412465B1Indexable cutting insert
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 SECO TOOLS AB
  • EP2412465B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2412465B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP2412465B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A cutting insert is provided including at least three cutting edges, each cutting edge including a primary cutting edge. Each primary cutting edge is associated with a respective different side surface of the cutting insert, each side surface having a respective rake surface.