Multi-Slot Milling Cutter With Irregular Inserts for Vibration Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multiple-slot milling tools face challenges in efficiently machining multiple slots in metal workpieces due to unwanted vibrations, which reduce work quality and increase tool wear, especially when dealing with multi-materials and slender structures.

Innovation Solution

A rotary cutting tool with disc-shaped tool bodies arranged along a shaft, featuring irregularly-spaced insert mounting locations and a stabilization system with adjustable elastic coupling to minimize vibrations, allowing for efficient machining of multiple slots with improved cutting quality and tool durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple slots are machined simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but vibrations increase reducing work quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining efficiencyVSAvoidwork quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting inserts are arranged in an asymmetric, irregular pattern around the periphery of the disc-shaped tool body rather than in uniform intervals. This asymmetric distribution prevents synchronized cutting actions that cause vibrations, allowing multiple slots to be machined simultaneously while maintaining work quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Productivity

If multiple slots are machined simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but tool wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining efficiencyVSAvoidtool longevity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The irregular spacing of cutting inserts creates asymmetric cutting forces that prevent simultaneous engagement of all inserts with the workpiece. This reduces peak loads on individual inserts and minimizes tool wear, extending tool longevity while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If cutting inserts are evenly spaced, then device simplicity is improved, but vibrations occur reducing work quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsert arrangement simplicityVSAvoidcutting quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deliberately adopts an asymmetric, irregular arrangement of cutting inserts instead of a simple even spacing. While this increases design complexity slightly, it eliminates vibrations by preventing synchronized cutting, thereby significantly improving cutting quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

4Adaptability or versatility

If slender structures are machined, then adaptability is improved, but vibrations increase reducing precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to machine slender structuresVSAvoidfinishing quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric insert arrangement prevents simultaneous cutting engagement, reducing vibrations that are particularly problematic when machining slender, vibration-sensitive structures. This enables the tool to machine diverse geometries including slender structures while maintaining finishing quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution effectively reduces vibrations and tool wear, enabling efficient and high-quality machining of multiple slots in metal workpieces, including multi-materials and slender structures, while prolonging tool longevity.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic coupling has an adjustable elastic constant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

reducing vibration and unwanted juddering prolongs tool longevity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4360786A1Multi-slot rotary cutting tool
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 PALBIT SA
  • EP4360786A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(b)
  • EP4360786A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4(b)
  • EP4360786A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a multiple-slot milling tool, i.e. a rotary cutting tool for machining slot openings in metal workpieces, and more particularly to a multi-slot milling tool having replaceable cutting inserts secured to a plurality of disc-shaped tool bodies arranged along a tool shaft. Namely, a rotary cutting tool for machining slot openings in metal workpieces, comprising: a tool shaft; one or more disc-shaped tool bodies arranged on the shaft to rotate with said shaft; each disc-shaped tool body comprising a plurality of insert mounting locations, each mounting location being arranged for receiving a cutting insert removably mounted thereon; wherein the insert mounting locations are mounted irregularly-spaced around the periphery of each disc-shaped tool body