Rotating Tool Coating Uniformity for Flute and Cutting Edge Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rotating tools with coating films formed using arc ion plating (AIP) or magnetron sputtering (MS) methods exhibit insufficient wear resistance due to uneven film thickness distribution, particularly in the flute and cutting edge portions, leading to increased wear and reduced tool life.

Innovation Solution

The use of High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) method to form a coating film with a higher ionization ratio and controlled film thickness, ensuring a ratio of film thickness at the flute portion to cutting edge portion of at least 0.8, enhancing wear resistance and adhesion between the coating and base member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If arc ion plating (AIP) or magnetron sputtering (MS) methods are used to form a coating film on a rotating tool, then a coating film can be provided on the base member, but the wear resistance improvement is insufficient due to uneven film thickness distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidfilm thickness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) which uses periodic pulsed power delivery instead of continuous DC power. This periodic action creates distinct plasma phases (growth phase and decay phase) that enable better ionization and more uniform coating deposition across the substrate surface, resolving the film thickness uniformity issue while maintaining wear resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of power delivery from continuous DC to pulsed high-power impulses. By controlling pulse width, duty cycle, and peak power density, the process achieves superior film thickness uniformity and wear resistance that cannot be obtained with conventional AIP or MS methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional coating methods are used, then a coating film is formed on the base member, but the film thickness ratio between flute portion and cutting edge portion is insufficient (less than 0.8)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm thickness ratioVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The periodic pulsed power delivery in HiPIMS creates controlled plasma conditions that ensure uniform ionization and deposition across different tool surfaces. This results in a film thickness ratio between flute portion and cutting edge portion of 0.8 or more, significantly improving wear resistance compared to conventional methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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 HiPIMS method achieves a significant improvement in wear resistance, leading to longer tool life and improved cutting precision with a more uniform film thickness distribution, suitable for high-precision machining.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetron sputtering (MS) method has been known

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetron sputtering: Sputtering

Implementation Method 2

a coating film is provided on a surface of a base member by an arc ion plating (AIP) method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical vapor deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 3

a coating film is provided on a surface of a base member by an arc ion plating (AIP) method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectArc discharge: Electric Arc

Data Source

PatentEP3263256B2Rotating tool
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3263256B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3263256B2 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3263256B2 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

It is an object to provide a rotating tool (10) having an excellent wear resistance. The rotating tool (10) includes: a base member (11) including a cutting edge portion and a flute portion (4); and a coating film (12) that coats a surface of the base member (11), a ratio B/A of a film thickness B of the coating film (12) coating a surface of the flute portion (4) to a film thickness A of the coating film (12) coating a surface of the cutting edge portion being not less than 0.8.