Milling Cutting Insert Geometry for Stable MAP Sintering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cutting inserts manufactured using multiaxial pressing (MAP) often distort during sintering, leading to shape errors that require complex tool design and subsequent grinding corrections, which complicates the manufacturing process and introduces dimensional inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A cutting insert design with a specific geometry that allows for easier formation during the MAP process, featuring a circumferential surface with unique side surfaces and relief faces, enabling the pressing tool to retract without scraping the green body, thus maintaining form stability during sintering and simplifying tool manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a cutting insert is formed with a recess during the MAP operation, then the insert can be manufactured with complex shapes, but the insert distorts during subsequent sintering process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplex shape capabilityVSAvoidform stability during sintering
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by designing the pressing tool to retract along a specific linear path that ensures the circumferential surface clears the green body before sintering. This preliminary clearance action prevents distortion during the subsequent sintering process, while still allowing complex shapes to be formed during pressing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the pressing tool retracts linearly from the green body, then the tool design is simplified, but the circumferential surface may scrape the green body causing burrs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool design simplicityVSAvoidsurface quality and burr formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by adding a temporal dimension to the retraction path design. The linear retraction path is configured so that at different times during retraction, different portions of the circumferential surface clear the green body. This dimensional approach to path planning allows simple linear motion while preventing scraping and burr formation.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If grinding operations are performed to correct shape errors after sintering, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by configuring the pressing tool retraction path to prevent distortion before sintering occurs. By addressing the shape accuracy issue during the pressing stage rather than correcting it after sintering through grinding, the manufacturing process is simplified and production time is reduced while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design enables the production of cutting inserts with improved form stability during sintering, reducing the need for grinding corrections and achieving better tolerances and reduced burrs, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and enhancing the precision of the cutting inserts.

Implementation Method 1

When sintered, the green body is compacted, shrinks in size and forms the cutting insert

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP3556497B1Cutting insert and milling tool
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 SECO TOOLS AB
  • EP3556497B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3556497B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP3556497B1 patent drawingFigure 1e~1g

AI summary

Herein a cutting insert (2) for a milling tool is disclosed. A longitudinal plane (LP) extends halfway between a first pair of opposing side surfaces (10, 11) of the cutting insert. A first axial relief face (30) adjacent to the a auxiliary cutting edge (38) and a first axial abutment face (32) form part of a first surface grouping (34) on a first side of the longitudinal plane (LP), and a second axial relief face (30') adjacent to a second auxiliary cutting edge (38') and a second axial abutment face (32') form part of a second surface grouping (34') on a second side of the longitudinal plane (LP). The first surface grouping (34) and the second surface grouping (34') meet in a partitioning line (L), wherein the partitioning line (L) extends in the longitudinal plane (LP), and wherein the partitioning line (L) extends from the first side (14) to the second side (16).