Mounting Cut-Out Cutting Insert for Fast, Secure Indexing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting inserts for groove turning operations face challenges in economic manufacturing, strength, and the 'down' time associated with indexing and replacement, while maintaining secure clamping and alignment, while also ensuring reduced risk of inadvertent falling parts and improved rigidity.

Innovation Solution

A cutting insert design with opposing end surfaces, a central axis, and mounting cut-outs that intersect these surfaces, featuring specific slope angles and symmetrical configurations, allowing for secure clamping without additional components, and enabling efficient indexing and replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional cutting inserts are used with additional clamping components, then secure clamping is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping securityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting cut-out integrates multiple functions into a single structural feature: it provides clamping surfaces for securing the insert, positioning surfaces for accurate alignment, and mounting geometry for attachment to the tool holder. This eliminates the need for separate clamping components while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting insert's mounting cut-out is designed to self-align and self-clamp through its geometric features (slope surfaces, flank surfaces, and positioning surfaces) that automatically engage with corresponding features on the tool holder, eliminating the need for external clamping mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If traditional indexing procedures are used, then cutting insert replacement is achieved, but downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoiddowntime for insert replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting cut-out is pre-configured with specific slope angles (5-25 degrees) and geometric features that enable rapid engagement with the tool holder. The insert can be quickly indexed and secured without complex adjustment procedures, reducing replacement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Force

If mounting cut-outs with steep slope surfaces are used, then clamping force is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping forceVSAvoidslope angle tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The slope angle of the mounting cut-out is optimized to fall within the range of 5 to 25 degrees. This parameter range balances the generation of sufficient clamping force with the ability to manufacture the feature using standard machining processes without requiring extreme precision tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If cutting inserts with complex geometries are used, then cutting performance is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting cut-out is designed as a separate, modular geometric feature that can be independently manufactured and integrated into the cutting insert. This segmentation allows the complex cutting geometry and the mounting features to be produced using different manufacturing processes, simplifying overall production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4549060B1Cutting insert having a mounting cut-out and cutting tool with such a cutting insert
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 ISCAR LTD
  • EP4549060B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4549060B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4549060B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A cutting tool has a cutting insert (20) removably secured to a holding portion of an insert holder. The cutting insert (20) has opposing first and second end surfaces with an insert peripheral surface and a central axis extending therebetween, at least one cutting portion, and at least one mounting cut-out. Each cutting portion has a cutting edge and an adjacent relief surface facing in a first rotary direction about the central axis. Each mounting cut-out extends between the first and second end surfaces and has a first flank surface and an adjacent first upper slope surface. The first flank surface faces in a second rotary direction about the central axis and the first upper slope surface faces away from a median plane located midway between the first and second end surfaces. The first upper slope surface extends away from the median plane with increasing distance from the first flank surface.