Turning Tool Carrier Clamping for Precise 3D Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turning tool assemblies for metal cutting face challenges in precisely positioning the cutting insert carrier due to complex and time-consuming screw-based attachment methods, especially in machines with limited access.
Innovation Solution
A turning tool assembly featuring a clamping mechanism with angled positioning surfaces and resilient members that guide the carrier to a precise clamping position, eliminating the need for multiple screws and simplifying the attachment process by using a single clamping force to align the carrier with the holder in all three dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple screws are used to secure the carrier to the holder, then the attachment is secure and reliable, but the positioning process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple screw fastening operations into a single clamping mechanism that applies force through positioning surfaces. The carrier support structure and holder support structure work together as an integrated system to achieve both secure attachment and precise positioning in one operation, eliminating the need for multiple separate screw tightening steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the fastening process. Instead of relying on multiple screws to both secure and position the carrier, the design separates these functions by incorporating dedicated positioning surfaces that guide the carrier into exact alignment before clamping, allowing a single clamping action to achieve both security and precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple screws are tightened in a specific order to position the carrier, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but the operation becomes complex and difficult in limited access machines
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning surfaces are designed to automatically guide the carrier into the correct position as the clamping mechanism is applied. The angled positioning surfaces self-align the carrier with the holder through geometric constraint, eliminating the need for operator skill in sequencing multiple screw tightenings. The system serves itself by using the clamping force to achieve both securement and precise positioning simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning surfaces perform the positioning action preliminary to final clamping. As the carrier is brought toward the holder, the positioning surfaces make contact first and guide the carrier into exact alignment before the clamping force is fully applied, ensuring precise positioning is achieved as part of the natural assembly sequence rather than requiring complex post-positioning adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If a simple clamping mechanism is used, then the assembly process is simplified, but achieving precise positioning in all three dimensions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses angled positioning surfaces that extend in multiple dimensions to constrain the carrier position. The positioning surfaces are oriented at angles to the clamping direction, creating geometric constraints that control positioning in longitudinal, transverse, and height directions simultaneously. This dimensional approach allows a single clamping force to achieve three-dimensional positioning precision without requiring multiple fastening elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning surfaces are designed with asymmetric angular orientations relative to the clamping direction. This asymmetric geometry creates specific constraint patterns that guide the carrier into a unique, precise position. The non-symmetric angles of the positioning surfaces ensure that the carrier can only settle into the correct orientation when properly clamped, achieving dimensional precision through geometric asymmetry rather than symmetric multi-screw fastening.
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
This solution ensures reliable and precise positioning of the cutting insert carrier, reducing assembly time and improving accuracy while maintaining secure attachment, even in constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
one of the height support surfaces of the carrier pair or the holder pair is located on a resilient height member of the corresponding support structure, whereby the angle and/or position of that height support surface is adjustable by the height member yielding resiliently
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a turning tool assembly for metal cutting, comprising a cutting insert carrier (2) comprising a carrier support structure (12) arranged in a carrier body lateral side (11), a holder (1) comprising a holder support structure (30) arranged in a holder primary side (29), and a clamping mechanism. The carrier support structure (12) comprises a contact surface (15), and positioning surfaces, which include a carrier pair of height support surfaces (18, 19) and a carrier pair of longitude support surfaces (20, 21). The holder support structure (30) comprises a contact surface (31), and positioning surfaces, which include a holder pair of height support surfaces (33, 34) and a holder pair of longitude support surfaces (35, 36). One of the height support surfaces (18, 19, 33, 34) of the carrier pair or the holder pair is located on a resilient height member (39) and one of the longitude support surfaces (20, 21, 35, 36) of the carrier pair or the holder pair is located on a resilient longitude member (22, 23). The clamping mechanism is configured to removably secure the carrier body to the holder body by forcing the contact surface (15) of the carrier support structure (12) against the contact surface (31) of the holder support structure (30), whereby the carrier body is guided toward a clamping position by the positioning surfaces of the carrier support structure (12) abutting and sliding against the positioning surfaces of the holder support structure (30).