Tool Holder Cooling Channel with Varying Cross-Section
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool holders face challenges in effectively positioning and distributing coolant to cutting inserts due to their geometry, which impairs coolant properties and efficiency in machining processes.
Innovation Solution
The tool holder features a cooling channel with a varying cross-sectional area and shape, including curved and branched channels that adapt to the tool holder's geometry, allowing controlled coolant distribution to specific areas of the cutting insert, and can be manufactured using additive layer processes for complex geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cooling channel is positioned in the tool holder body, then coolant can be supplied to the cutting insert, but the tool holder geometry impairs coolant distribution efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channel cross-sectional area varies along its length, with larger cross-sections near the inlet and smaller cross-sections near outlets. This local quality variation ensures adequate coolant flow pressure and distribution to different sections of the cutting insert, resolving the contradiction between reliable supply and distribution efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channel geometry is designed to be dynamic rather than uniform, with the cross-sectional area changing continuously along the channel length. This dynamic geometry adaptation allows the channel to optimize coolant flow characteristics at different positions, improving distribution efficiency while maintaining supply reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cooling channel is guided through the material cross-section to connect the clamping element and tool holder body, then the tool holder can be manufactured as a single piece, but the channel geometry becomes complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channel cross-sectional parameters (area, shape) are systematically varied along its length rather than maintaining a constant geometry. This parameter change approach allows the channel to navigate through the complex tool holder structure while maintaining manufacturability through controlled geometric transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channel incorporates curved paths to adapt to the tool holder and clamping element geometries. These curved configurations allow the channel to follow the natural contours of the single-piece structure, maintaining structural integrity while enabling coolant flow through complex three-dimensional paths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple outlets are provided for coolant distribution, then different sections of the cutting insert can be cooled, but controlling coolant distribution to each outlet becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Each outlet section of the cooling channel is designed with specific local cross-sectional characteristics that control coolant flow distribution. The varying cross-sectional areas along the channel create natural flow distribution patterns, ensuring adequate coolant reaches multiple outlets without requiring complex control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tool holder (10) for a cutting insert (18), having a tool holder body (12), a recess (16) for a cutting insert (18), a clamping element (20) that can tightly clamp a cutting insert (18) in the recess (16), and at least one cooling channel (40, 42, 44, 50, 70, 72) through which the coolant can be conducted to the cutting insert (18), characterized in that the cross-sectional area and/or the cross-sectional shape of the cooling channel (40, 42, 44, 50, 70, 72) changes along its length. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing such a tool holder (10), wherein the clamping element (20) is manufactured along with at least one part of the tool holder body (12) in an additive layer process.