Machining Tool Coolant Bore Alignment via Segmented Joining Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools with internal coolant bores face challenges in joining tool components without clogging the coolant bores during the manufacturing process, particularly when the bores are curved or spiral, and ensuring precise alignment of coolant outlets.
Innovation Solution
The tool components feature a tongue-and-groove connection interface with elongate, rectilinear feather keys and grooves that allow for precise alignment and distribution of joining material without entering the coolant bores, enabling easy assembly and preventing clogging, even with curved or spiral bores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tool components are moved relative to one another during joining to achieve uniform wetting with joining material, then the joining quality is improved, but the joining material enters the internal coolant bores causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first region for joining material application and a second region for coolant outlet alignment. This segmentation allows the tool components to be moved relative to each other during joining to achieve uniform wetting in the first region, while the second region remains protected from joining material contamination, thus resolving the contradiction between joining quality and coolant bore functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective barrier or guiding structure is introduced at the connection interface to act as an intermediary between the joining material application zone and the coolant outlets. This intermediary structure directs the joining material away from the coolant bores while still allowing relative movement for uniform wetting, thereby maintaining both joining quality and preventing clogging.
2Manufacturing precision
If a wire or alignment aid is inserted through coolant bores to ensure precise alignment of coolant outlets, then alignment precision is improved, but relative movement for uniform wetting is prevented and the wire is difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is segmented from the coolant bore structure. Instead of using a wire inserted through the coolant bores, the invention provides dedicated alignment features (such as alignment pins or machined surfaces) that are separate from the coolant pathways. This allows precise alignment of coolant outlets without inserting objects into the bores, maintaining both alignment precision and joining process flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Dedicated alignment features serve as intermediary structures that facilitate precise coolant outlet alignment without requiring insertion into the coolant bores themselves. These alignment features enable the necessary relative movement during joining while still ensuring accurate positioning, and they can be easily removed or are integral to the tool component structure.
3Reliability
If air is blown through internal coolant channels during joining to prevent clogging, then coolant bore cleanliness is improved, but only small relative movements are possible and joining material still adheres to bore interiors
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is segmented into a joining material application region and a coolant outlet region that are spatially separated. This segmentation eliminates the need to blow air through the coolant channels during joining, as the joining material is applied in a controlled manner in the first region and does not have access to the second region where the coolant outlets are located. This resolves the contradiction by allowing full joining process flexibility while maintaining coolant bore cleanliness through design rather than active cleaning measures.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4b
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a tool for machining a workpiece. The tool has a first tool component (12) which has a first internal coolant bore (16a, 16b) and a first connection interface (22) at a first end face. The first connection interface (22) has a first end surface (28) for applying a joining material and an elevation (30) which protrudes from the first end surface (28). A first coolant outlet (10a, 20b) of the first internal coolant bore (16a, 16b) is arranged on the elevation (30). The tool additionally has a second tool component (14) which has a second internal coolant bore (18a, 18b) and a second connection interface (26) at a second end face. The second connection interface (26) has a second end surface (34) for applying the joining material and a depression (36) which is introduced into the second end surface (34). A second coolant outlet (24a, 24b) of the second internal coolant bore (18a, 18b) is arranged in the depression (36). The first tool component (12) and the second tool component (14) are connected to each other by means of the joining material applied onto the first and second end surface (28, 34) such that the first coolant outlet (20a, 20b) is aligned with the second coolant outlet (24a, 24b).