Modular Milling Tool Support Seats for Replaceable Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milling tools face high costs due to breakage of interchangeable cutting inserts, which often damage adjacent regions, and are not easily adaptable to different types of inserts.
Innovation Solution
The milling tool features separate support members fastened by distinct fastening elements, allowing targeted replacement and easy conversion to different inserts, with a unified screw-driving tool and clamping mechanism for robust and user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If interchangeable cutting inserts are used in milling tools for heavy subtractive machining, then machining capability is improved, but the risk of breakage and associated damage to adjacent regions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The milling tool is divided into modular components: the milling tool main body, interchangeable cutting inserts, and replaceable support members. This segmentation allows the cutting insert to be replaced independently without damaging other parts, and the support members can be replaced if damaged, isolating the harm to only the broken component rather than the entire tool assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables easy discarding of broken cutting inserts and support members and recovering/replacing only the damaged components. The reversible fastening mechanism allows quick removal of broken parts and installation of new ones, minimizing waste and recovery costs compared to replacing the entire milling tool.
2Ease of operation
If cutting inserts are fastened directly to the milling tool main body, then fastening simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different insert types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are designed to be reversibly fastened and replaceable, creating a dynamic configuration that can be adapted to different cutting insert types. By replacing the support members with different geometries or fastening characteristics, the system can accommodate various insert shapes and fastening requirements while maintaining simple operation through standardized fastening elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The milling tool main body with standardized seats and replaceable support members serves multiple functions: it can hold different types of cutting inserts, support various insert geometries, and accommodate different fastening requirements. This universal design allows a single milling tool main body to be adapted for multiple applications by simply changing the support members.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a cartridge system is used to enable adjustability of cutting insert position, then position adjustability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex integrated cartridge system, the invention segments the positioning function into separate, replaceable support members that can be independently adjusted and replaced. Each support member can be individually modified or replaced to achieve different positioning configurations without affecting other parts of the tool.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than making the cutting insert adjustable within a fixed cartridge, the invention inverts the approach by making the support members themselves replaceable and modifiable. This allows position adjustability to be achieved through simple replacement of support members rather than complex adjustment mechanisms within a cartridge.
4Reliability
If multiple fastening elements are used to securely fasten cutting inserts, then fastening reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fastening elements are merged into a standardized, unified fastening system where all fastening elements have the same thread designation and can be operated with a single screw-driving tool. This combining of multiple fastening functions into a standardized system maintains reliable fastening while greatly simplifying repair operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening elements are designed with standardized parameters (thread designation, head type, size) that remain constant across different support members and cutting inserts. This parameter standardization allows the same fastening elements and tools to be used throughout the system, maintaining reliability through consistent fastening while simplifying repair through interchangeability.
Data Source
AI summary
A milling tool has a milling tool main element which has a first end with an interface for connection to a machine-side tool holder, and a free second end with at least one seat for receiving an exchangeable cutting insert. The following are arranged at the seat: a first support element for supporting a first side face of the cutting insert, which first support element is reversibly fastened to the milling tool main element by a first fastening element, a second support element for supporting a second side face of the cutting insert, which second support element is reversibly fastened to the milling tool main element by a second fastening element, and a third support element for supporting an underside of the cutting insert. The third support element is reversibly fastened to the milling tool main element by a third fastening element.