Milling Tool Recess Geometry for Chip Flow and Self-Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Milling tools face challenges in efficiently machining various metallic materials without interrupting the process, as they often experience heat buildup and chip removal issues, especially when operating without cooling lubricants, leading to reduced tool life and increased wear.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a recess on the cutting face and the back of the cutting edge, which maintains a specific radial distance from the cutting edge to promote chip flow and cooling, regardless of the use of cooling lubricants, and featuring cavities that enhance turbulence and surface area for improved cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a milling tool operates without cooling lubricants to reduce operational complexity, then ease of operation is improved, but heat buildup and tool wear increase reducing tool life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidtool life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The chip groove with recesses is designed to automatically generate air cushions and air vortices during operation, creating a self-cooling and self-lubricating effect without requiring external cooling lubricants. The tool serves its own cooling and lubrication needs through its geometric design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Air is utilized as a cooling and lubricating medium through the formation of air cushions and air vortices in the recesses of the chip groove. This pneumatic approach replaces traditional liquid cooling lubricants, reducing operational complexity while maintaining tool life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Duration of action of stationary object

If cooling lubricants are used to reduce heat buildup and wear, then tool life is improved, but operational complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool lifeVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The geometric design of the chip groove with strategically positioned recesses enables the tool to automatically generate cooling and lubricating air cushions during operation, eliminating the need for external cooling lubricant systems and reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for cooling lubricants by incorporating self-cooling features directly into the tool geometry. The harmful dependency on external lubricants is removed while maintaining the beneficial cooling and lubrication effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If the recess is positioned closer to the cutting edge to enhance cooling effect, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but chip flow and shearing process are adversely influenced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidchip flow
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The chip groove is designed with varying local characteristics: the recesses are positioned at specific distances from the cutting edge to provide localized cooling where needed, while maintaining an open groove geometry in the chip flow path to ensure smooth chip evacuation. Each region of the chip groove has optimized properties for its specific function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The recesses are positioned to provide sufficient cooling effect without over-cooling that would interfere with chip flow. The partial cooling action in the recesses is balanced with the open groove design to maintain overall productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive 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 recess and cavity design facilitate trouble-free, low-wear operation across different materials like aluminum, HSS steel, and titanium, allowing for continuous use without tool changes by reducing friction, heat buildup, and enhancing coolant effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

When the milling tool is operated without coolant, air cushions or air vortices form in the recess. These air cushions and vortices facilitate chip flow by reducing chip friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir cushion: Air Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

These air cushions and vortices facilitate chip flow by reducing chip friction and thus heat generation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The turbulent air also more readily absorbs heat from the milling tool, cooling it more effectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

The turbulent air also more readily absorbs heat from the milling tool, cooling it more effectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 5

operating the milling tool according to the invention using a cooling lubricant leads to its accumulation in the recess, where it promotes the flow of chips on the one hand and serves to cool the heat-stressed milling tool on the other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 6

featuring cavities that enhance turbulence and surface area for improved cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP4140626A1Universally applicable milling tool
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 VRATNY ANDREAS
  • EP4140626A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4140626A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4140626A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A milling tool with at least one peripheral cutting edge (1) and with a recess (24) extending between the rake face (8) and the groove base (9) substantially parallel to the cutting edge (6) and at a radial distance (A) from the cutting edge (6) of at least 13 to 20% of the diameter of the milling tool. The invention further relates to such a milling tool with a cutting edge back (5) adjoining the cutting edge (6) opposite to the direction of rotation (D) and with a circumferential clearance surface (11) of the cutting edge back (5) adjoining the cutting edge (6), characterized by a recess (26) on the cutting edge back (5) extending substantially parallel to the cutting edge (6) and adjoining the clearance surface (11).