Micro-Channel Cutting Insert for Chip-Tool Contact Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting tools face limited cooling impact during finishing operations due to the inability of coolant to access the intimate contact zone between the chip and rake surface, leading to increased friction forces.

Innovation Solution

A cutting insert with a grid pattern of micro channels on the rake face adjacent to the cutting edge, which can be filled with a cooling fluid to form a cushion for the chip, reducing friction and improving cooling, combined with internal cooling channels connected to a cooling medium source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If coolant is delivered through tool holder or coolant nozzles at high pressure, then chip control is enhanced, but cooling impact during finishing operations is limited due to inability to access the contact zone between chip and rake surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling impactVSAvoidaccess to contact zone
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rake face is segmented into multiple micro channels arranged in a grid pattern, allowing coolant to be delivered to multiple discrete locations simultaneously. This segmentation enables the coolant to access the contact zone between chip and rake surface at multiple points, overcoming the limitation of conventional single-point coolant delivery and enhancing cooling impact during finishing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from conventional external coolant delivery (tool holder or nozzle) to internal coolant delivery embedded within the rake face structure. By integrating micro channels directly into the rake face, the system moves the coolant delivery from a external dimension to an internal dimension, enabling direct access to the contact zone that was previously inaccessible

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

2Temperature

If micro channels are made closer to the cutting edge, then cooling efficiency is improved, but mechanical strength of the cutting edge is negatively affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical strength of cutting edge
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The micro channels are positioned at an optimized distance from the cutting edge, creating a local quality distribution where the rake face has different structural characteristics in different regions. The area near the cutting edge maintains higher mechanical strength, while the area further away contains the micro channels for efficient cooling, achieving local optimization of both strength and cooling performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If the distance between neighboring micro channels is reduced, then cooling coverage is improved, but mechanical strength of portions between micro channels is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling coverageVSAvoidmechanical strength of portions between micro channels
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The spacing between neighboring micro channels is optimized to balance cooling coverage and mechanical strength. By carefully selecting the distance parameter between channels, the system achieves sufficient cooling coverage across the rake face while maintaining adequate mechanical strength in the portions between channels to support cutting loads

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

Significantly reduces cutting force and specific energy by minimizing chip-tool contact area, decreasing friction coefficient, and enhancing chip fragmentation and evacuation, while reducing adiabatic shearing effects.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing the cooling effect of a cutting insert and at the same time lubricate the tool-chip contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

lubricate the tool-chip contact in order to reduce friction forces between the cutting insert and the chip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3851231A1A cutting insert
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 SECO TOOLS AB

AI summary

A cutting insert for a cutting tool, comprising a body (1) having: a cutting edge (2), a rake face (3), and micro channels (4, 5), provided on said rake face (3) adjacent the cutting edge (2). The micro channels (4, 5) define a grid pattern (6) of micro channels (4, 5) that intersect each other in a region of the rake face (3) where contact between a chip and the rake face (3) is assumed to occur during cutting with the cutting insert.