Milling Insert Abutment Geometry for Precise Axial Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting inserts for square shoulder milling tools face challenges in achieving precise positioning within the insert seat, leading to variations in axial runout and main cutting edge position, which affect the quality of the machined workpiece due to deviations in thickness and support surface angles.
Innovation Solution
A cutting insert design featuring specific geometric configurations, including parallel extension planes, circumferential surfaces, and strategically positioned axial relief and abutment faces, which allow for exact positioning by minimizing the impact of thickness deviations and ensuring stable axial support, thereby maintaining precise axial runout and main cutting edge alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the cutting insert uses conventional support surface angles in the insert seat, then the insert can be mounted and supported, but thickness variations cause axial runout and position deviations affecting machining quality
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment face is divided into two distinct surfaces: a first abutment face and a second abutment face. Each face is configured to abut against a corresponding support surface in the insert seat, providing segmented support that compensates for thickness variations and prevents axial runout.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second abutment faces are positioned asymmetrically on the cutting insert, with each face having a specific orientation relative to the insert's central axis. This asymmetric configuration ensures that thickness variations do not translate into axial position deviations when the insert is mounted.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cutting insert has varying thickness, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but axial runout and main cutting edge position accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The insert seat is pre-configured with specifically angled support surfaces that are designed to compensate for thickness variations before the insert is mounted. The abutment faces on the insert are also pre-configured to work with these support surfaces, ensuring that even with thickness variations, the axial position remains accurate.
3Reliability
If the support surfaces in the insert seat are angled to provide multi-directional support, then support functionality is improved, but positioning accuracy in the axial direction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the cutting insert are given different functional qualities: the first and second abutment faces are specifically designed for axial positioning and are made with high precision, while other surfaces may have different characteristics. This localized precision ensures that axial positioning accuracy is maintained even with overall support stability requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 1d
AI summary
Herein a cutting insert (2) for a milling tool is disclosed. A median plane (MP) extends through the cutting insert. A longitudinal plane (LP) extends perpendicularly to the median plane (MP). In a view towards a first side surface (12), a first axial relief face (30) and a first axial abutment face (32) form part of a first surface grouping (34) on a first side of the longitudinal plane. In a view towards a second side surface (13), a second axial relief face (30') and a second axial abutment face (32') form part of a second surface grouping (34') on the first side of the longitudinal plane. The first axial abutment face (32) forms a substantially flat surface. The first axial abutment face (32) extends perpendicularly to the median plane (MP). The second axial abutment face (32') forms a substantially flat surface. The second axial abutment face (32') extends perpendicularly to the median plane (MP).