Square Shoulder Milling Insert Geometry for Positive Axial Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Double-sided, square shoulder milling inserts require substantial energy for cutting operations when mounted at a negative axial angle, which can weaken the cutting edge and increase the risk of breakage, and existing solutions involve complex geometries that are not effectively supported by the toolholder.

Innovation Solution

A milling insert with a specific geometry featuring rectangular surfaces, side surfaces, and cutting edges that allow mounting at a positive axial angle, providing better support and reducing energy demands by optimizing the rake and clearance surfaces, thereby minimizing the risk of breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the insert is mounted at a negative axial angle, then the cutting operation can be performed, but substantial energy is necessary and the cutting edge is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcutting edge strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional mounting approach by enabling positive axial angle mounting instead of the traditional negative axial angle. This inversion fundamentally changes the cutting geometry to achieve both reduced energy consumption and maintained cutting edge strength through the optimized rake surface configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the angle between rake and clearance surfaces is reduced to less than 90 degrees, then energy demands are reduced, but the cutting edge area is weakened and breakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy demandsVSAvoidcutting edge strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different surface configurations in different regions of the insert. The rake surface is specifically engineered with varying angles relative to the cutting edge, providing optimized local geometry that reduces energy demands while maintaining adequate cutting edge strength through strategic angle variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the insert projects well beyond the toolholder surface, then the weakened cutting edge is compensated, but the risk of breakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting edge supportVSAvoidbreakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from compensating for weakness by increasing projection distance (one-dimensional solution) to a multi-dimensional geometric optimization approach. By adjusting rake surface angles and creating three-dimensional surface configurations, the patent achieves adequate support without requiring excessive projection beyond the toolholder surface

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

4Ease of operation

If complex insert geometries are used, then mounting at positive axial angle is achieved, but the geometry becomes overly complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting orientationVSAvoidinsert geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric geometry in the rake surface configuration to enable positive axial angle mounting. The asymmetric design provides the necessary mounting flexibility while maintaining relative geometric simplicity, avoiding the need for overly complex multi-surface configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3000548B1Double-sided, square shoulder milling insert
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 SECO TOOLS AB
  • EP3000548B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3000548B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3000548B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A double-sided, square shoulder milling insert (21) has a geometry facilitating mounting of the insert on a toolholder at a positive axial angle. When major cutting edges (49a', 49b') of the insert are viewed along a central axis (A) of the insert, a first portion (67a', 67b') of an adjacent clearance surface is disposed outward of the major edge relative to the central axis with less of the clearance surface being disposed outwardly of the major edge at a cutting corner of the insert than at a non-cutting corner.