Peripheral Coolant Groove Layout for Small Cutting Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting tools, both external and internal supply types, face challenges in delivering sufficient coolant to machining points, especially in small-sized tools, and struggle with effective chip discharge due to overlapping fluid and chip flow directions.

Innovation Solution

A cutting tool design featuring coolant flow paths on the periphery that do not overlap with the cutting edge or chip discharge groove, with the first path located above the cutting edge, ensuring independent fluid and chip flows, and a helical chip discharge groove for efficient coolant distribution and chip removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If an internal supply type cutting tool with a hole formed inside the tool is used to supply fluid to the machining point, then the fluid delivery capability is improved, but the tool size cannot be reduced further as there is no available space for making a fluid supply hole in small-sized tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid delivery capabilityVSAvoidtool size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the fluid supply function from the internal structure of the tool and relocates it to the external periphery. Instead of forming a hole inside the tool body, the coolant supply groove is formed on the outer surface of the tool shank, allowing fluid to be supplied to the machining point without requiring internal space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a three-dimensional internal hole structure to a two-dimensional surface groove structure. The coolant supply groove is formed on the external surface of the tool, utilizing the peripheral dimension rather than consuming internal volume, thereby enabling small tool sizes while maintaining fluid supply capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If a coolant supply groove is formed on the shank of the tool to supply fluid to the machining point, then the fluid delivery capability is improved, but the fluid flow direction overlaps with chip discharge direction, causing interference with chip discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid delivery capabilityVSAvoidchip discharge interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs asymmetric positioning of the coolant supply groove relative to the tool axis and cutting edge. The groove is located at a specific angular position that creates an asymmetric fluid flow pattern, directing coolant along a path that does not intersect with the chip discharge trajectory, thereby eliminating interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by positioning the coolant supply groove at a specific location on the tool periphery where it can independently supply fluid to the machining point without affecting chip discharge. The groove is strategically placed to provide localized cooling exactly where needed while leaving other regions free for chip evacuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enhances coolant supply to machining points, improving cooling and chip discharge capabilities in small-sized tools, allowing effective lubrication and chip removal without interference.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of groove-like coolant flow paths provided on a periphery of the cutting tool, for supplying coolant toward the leading end portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

a chip discharge groove formed from the cutting edge toward the base end portion of the cutting tool, for guiding and discharging chips generated during cutting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4596152A1Cutting tool
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 TUNGALOY CORP
  • EP4596152A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4596152A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4596152A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cutting tool (10) includes: a shank part (14) that is substantially cylindrical in shape and provided at a base end portion (10b) of the cutting tool (10); a cutting edge (18) located at a leading end portion (10t) of the cutting tool (10); a chip discharge groove (30) formed from the cutting edge (18) toward the base end portion (10b) of the cutting tool (10), for guiding and discharging chips generated during cutting; and a plurality of groove-like coolant flow paths (40) provided on a periphery of the cutting tool (10), for supplying coolant toward the leading end portion (10t). In a leading end view where the cutting tool (10) is viewed from the leading end portion (10t) along the central axis (10A) extending in a longitudinal direction of the cutting tool (10), a first coolant flow path (41) of the plurality of coolant flow paths (40) is located at an upper side relative to the cutting edge (18).