Cutting Tool Support Pad with Convex Contact Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting tool support pads lack optimal design for distributing abutment forces and providing convex contact surfaces that effectively engage workpieces during machining, leading to potential instability and surface quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A cutting tool support pad with opposing primary surfaces, including an abutment surface and a convex contact surface that extends outward from a median plane, secured in a pocket with a support surface recess and side walls, allowing for secure engagement and force dispersion, and featuring multiple operative and non-operative orientations for indexability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional support pad with flat abutment surface is used, then the structure is simple, but the abutment forces are not optimally distributed leading to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The support pad is segmented into multiple functional surfaces: a flat abutment surface for mounting, convex contact surfaces for workpiece engagement, and a pad peripheral surface for guidance. This segmentation allows each surface to perform its specific function optimally, distributing abutment forces through the abutment surface while maintaining stability through the convex contact surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the support pad have different geometric properties tailored to their functions: the abutment surface is flat for optimal force distribution to the tool holder, while the contact surfaces are convex to match the workpiece geometry. This local differentiation of surface quality optimizes both stability and functional performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If a support pad with convex contact surfaces extending beyond the abutment surface is used, then surface engagement and force distribution are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surfaces are designed with convex curvature that corresponds to the radius of the workpiece. This curved geometry enables optimal contact and force distribution during machining operations, improving surface quality and manufacturing precision by ensuring uniform contact pressure across the workpiece surface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a replaceable and indexable support pad design is used, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support pad is designed as a universal, replaceable component that can be mounted on different cutting tools and indexed to different orientations. The standardized abutment surface allows mounting on various tool holders, while the convex contact surfaces can engage different workpiece geometries, providing multi-functionality and adaptability across different machining operations.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A cutting tool (10, figure 1) having at least one cutting tool support pad (24). The cutting tool support pad (24) includes two opposing primary surfaces (42), each primary surface (42) includes an abutment surface (54) and at least one convex contact surface (50). For each primary surface (42), the at least one contact surface (50) extends outwardly further than the abutment surface (54). The abutment surface (54) may be formed by multiple abutment sub- surfaces (56). A pocket (22, figure 3) for the support pad (24) has a support surface (26) with recesses (38) to accommodate the contact surface (62) which are in non-operational positions.