Tip Dressing Cutter Groove Layout for Chip-Free Electrode Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing tip dressing cutters for spot welding electrode tips face issues with chip accumulation between recessed grooves and the electrode tip, leading to excessive load on the rotary holder and prolonged lead times due to the need for machining recessed grooves on the flank face after determining the electrode tip shape.

Innovation Solution

The tip dressing cutter features recessed grooves on the rake face instead of the flank face, with a serpentine cutting blade configuration that extends along the rotation axis, preventing chip accumulation and allowing for machining before determining the electrode tip shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If recessed grooves are formed on the flank face to prevent chip accumulation, then chip removal is improved, but the lead time for cutter development is prolonged because machining must wait until electrode tip shape is determined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip accumulationVSAvoidlead time for cutter development
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional location of recessed grooves from the flank face to the rake face. This inversion allows chips to be directed along the rake face into the grooves, preventing accumulation between the groove and electrode tip while enabling groove machining to proceed independently of the electrode tip shape, thus reducing development lead time

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

2Object-generated harmful factors

If chips move into gaps between recessed grooves and electrode tip, then chip removal is facilitated, but excessive load is generated on rotary holder rotation causing apparatus breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip removalVSAvoidapparatus reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning recessed grooves specifically on the rake face where chips are generated, with grooves oriented to receive and channel chips away from the electrode tip interface. This localized chip management prevents excessive load on the rotary holder while maintaining effective chip removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-generated harmful factors

If recessed grooves are formed on the flank face, then chip accumulation is reduced, but the cutter design becomes more complex and requires longer development time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip accumulationVSAvoidcutter design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the groove location from flank face to rake face, the patent simplifies the cutter design and manufacturing process. The grooves can now be machined directly on the rake face without waiting for electrode tip shape determination, reducing both design complexity and development time while still preventing chip accumulation

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

Data Source

PatentEP3778093B1Machining cutter for tip dressing
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 KYOKUTOH
  • EP3778093B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3778093B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3778093B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cutter (1) includes a rake face (2a) on which a recessed groove (2d) extending along a direction of a rotation axis (C1) of a rotary holder (5) to be open at a flank face (2b) of the cutter (1) are formed. The recessed groove (2d) includes a plurality of recessed grooves (2d) formed at predetermined intervals along a direction intersecting with the rotation axis (C1). A cutting blade portion (2e) extending along a direction intersecting with the rotation axis (C1) is provided on a continuous portion of the rake face (2a) and the flank face (2b). The cutting blade portion (2e) includes a first region (2f) made up of an intersecting portion of the rake face (2a) and the flank face (2b) and a second region (2g) made up of a peripheral edge portion of an opening portion of the recessed groove (2d) at the flank face (2b).