Milling Tool Coolant Passage Layout for Lower Friction Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing milling tool coolant passage systems face challenges in manufacturing due to the difficulty in producing long and narrow coolant passageways, which results in high friction losses and compromised tool body strength or coolant flow direction, especially when cutting inserts are radially tipped at negative angles.

Innovation Solution

The coolant passage system is designed with a wider rear portion drilled from the central recess and a narrower front portion drilled inward from the chip pocket, allowing for easier manufacturing and reduced friction losses, while maintaining tool body strength and improving coolant flow efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If long and narrow coolant passageways are drilled from the chip pocket toward the central recess, then coolant flow can reach the cutting edge, but manufacturing difficulty increases and friction losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoolant flow deliveryVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant passageway is divided into two distinct segments: a rear portion drilled from the central recess with larger diameter, and a front portion drilled from the chip pocket with smaller diameter. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the coolant passageway are given different local qualities - the rear portion has a larger diameter to reduce friction losses and is easier to drill from the central recess, while the front portion has a smaller diameter to fit within the limited space of the chip pocket. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between manufacturability and coolant delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If long and narrow coolant passageways are used, then coolant can reach the cutting edge, but friction losses increase reducing coolant flow efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoolant flow deliveryVSAvoidfriction losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The rear portion of the coolant passageway is given a larger diameter specifically to reduce friction losses, while the front portion maintains a smaller diameter where space is constrained. This local quality differentiation minimizes energy losses in the longer rear section while still delivering coolant effectively to the cutting edge through the front section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If coolant passageways are made narrower to fit limited space, then space constraints are satisfied, but friction losses increase and manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant passageway is segmented into a rear portion with larger diameter that is easier to manufacture and a front portion with smaller diameter that fits the space constraints. This segmentation allows the system to satisfy space requirements while maintaining manufacturability in the critical rear section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of energy

If wider coolant passageways are used, then friction losses are reduced and coolant flow is improved, but tool body strength is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction lossesVSAvoidtool body strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant passageway is segmented so that the rear portion has a larger diameter to reduce friction losses, while the front portion has a smaller diameter that causes less material removal and preserves tool body strength. This segmentation allows optimization of coolant flow without compromising structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the tool body are given different local qualities - the rear section near the central recess has larger coolant passages where strength is less critical, while the front section near the chip pocket has smaller passages where strength is more important. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between flow efficiency and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3150319B1A tool body, a milling tool and a method for manufacturing a tool body

Publication Date: 2023.12.06 SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB

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AI summary

A tool body (100) for a milling tool having a central rotation axis (C), including a front end (101), a rear end (102) comprising a central recess (104) for engaging with a machine, an envelope surface (103), at least one insert seat (106) in which a cutting insert (200) can be mounted, a chip pocket (107) in front of each insert seat, and a coolant passage system for passage of coolant from the central recess to each chip pocket, comprising at least one coolant passageway (109) having a rear portion (110) extending outward from the central recess, and a front portion (111a, 111b) extending from the rear portion and into said chip pocket, in which an outlet (112a, 112b) is provided, the rear portion being wider than the front portion of said coolant passageway. The rear portion is formed by machining, preferably drilling, from within a central recess of a tool body blank, and the front portion is formed by machining from within the chip pocket.