RU2776250C2 - Detachable cutter and tool holder for it - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: material processing.

SUBSTANCE: cutting tool holder contains a shank and a head connected to the shank. The holder head contains a socket for an insert or a pocket for a cutter. A reinforcing section connecting the side surface of the shank and the head is located adjacently to at least a section of the side surface of the shank.

EFFECT: improvement of stability, and reduction in vibration during the cutting process are achieved due to the direction of a cutting force mainly along a longitudinal part of a detachable cutter.

20 cl, 24 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[001] An object of the present invention relates to a cut-off tool (also referred to as "cutter" hereinafter) and a tool holder (together with the tool, referred to as "cutter assembly") configured for use in applications with a relatively long overhang or a large depth of cut.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] As the name indicates, cutting tools can be considered as having the shape of a "cutter". More specifically, cutting tools have narrow, elongated bodies capable of performing metal cutting operations, in particular cutting operations and piercing operations.

[003] More specifically, the elongated shape of the incisor is defined as follows. The elongated cutter contains opposite first and second side surfaces passing between the first and second longitudinal edges and between the first and second end edges, which are shorter than the longitudinal edges. The cutter thickness dimension specified between the first and second side surfaces is smaller than the cutoff blade width dimension specified between the longitudinal edges. The width dimension of the cutting tool is smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the tool defined between the first and second end edges.

[004] Such cutters also include an insert seat configured to hold a cutting insert (also referred to as "insert" hereinafter). Parting cutters are elongated, making them particularly suitable for cutting applications with relatively long overhang. Long reach applications are known to be more susceptible to bending and vibration than relatively short reach applications.

[005] An alternative terminology describing long overhang is a reference to machining the workpiece. Accordingly, the present invention provides a solution for machining operations requiring large depths of cut (eg, cutting workpieces with a diameter greater than 50 mm, preferably greater than 60 mm or 70 mm, even up to 130 mm, for example). The embodiments described below are not actually limited to the specified depth of cut of 130 mm, but workpieces of this diameter are rare.

[006] Tool holders configured to hold such cutting tools hold them along their peripheral region, in particular along their longitudinal edges, by using opposing tool holder jaws. The longitudinal edges and clamping jaws are mutually wedge-shaped, providing the possibility of clamping and sliding the cut-off tool relative to the tool holder to provide different overhang lengths.

[007] One such known cutting tool assembly 10 is described in Applicant's EP 2822720B1 and is shown schematically in FIG. 1. This cutting tool assembly 10 demonstrates the commonly used orientation of the cutting tool 12, cutting insert 14, and tool holder 16 configured to cut a workpiece 18. This publication also discloses the use of high pressure coolant through the holder and cutting tool, t .e. inside the tool holder and cutting tool, to cool the insert.

[008] Another well-known cutting tool assembly 20 is disclosed in the Sandvik Group Magazine titled "Meet Sandvik No. 2, 2017" (Meet Sandvik) (page 7), hereinafter referred to as the "Journal". The cutter 22 according to this disclosure is shown schematically in FIG. 2, which is shown held by a tool holder 24 identical to that shown in FIG. 1 (it should be noted that another tool holder is disclosed in the Journal). Of course, this depiction only provides a basic understanding, and the comments below relating to "FIG. 2" refer to the disclosure in the Journal in case of any conflict. In addition, for understanding the principle of operation, the workpiece 25 is schematically depicted. The cutting tool 22 in the Journal differs from the cutting tool 12 shown in FIG. 1, primarily in that the cutting tool insertion seat 26 is rotated 90˚ to use feed along the Y-axis. In other words, the front surface 50 of the cutting tool 22 shown in FIG. 2 is generally perpendicular to the elongate part of the cutoff tool 22, while the front surface 48 of the cutoff tool 12 is generally parallel to the elongate part of the cutoff tool 12.

[009] This pocket orientation is expected to provide better stability and less vibration because the cutting force is primarily directed along the longitudinal part of the cutoff tool and thus allows much higher feed rates. The cutting tool 22 is also a cutting tool capable of supplying coolant through it using the coolant outlets shown in the drawing (the main locations of which are schematically indicated by reference numbers 28 and 30) observed near the cutting insert 32 and sealing device 34 installed on cutter 22.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cutting cutter with a tool holder and a cutting tool assembly.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elongated cutter having a main longitudinal direction and comprising: opposite first and second side surfaces extending between the first and second longitudinal edges and also extending between opposite first and second end edges, which are shorter, than the first and second longitudinal edges, and extend in the transverse direction to the first and second longitudinal edges; and an insertion socket associated with the first longitudinal edge and the first end edge; wherein the insert seat comprises first and second jaws of the insert that form a slot for receiving the insert (also referred to as a "slot" hereinafter) at a location where they are opposite each other, the slot for receiving the insert is open towards the first end edge.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elongated cutting tool having a main longitudinal direction and comprising: opposite first and second side surfaces extending between the first and second longitudinal edges and also extending between opposite first and second end edges, which are shorter, than the first and second longitudinal edges, and extend in the transverse direction to the first and second longitudinal edges; and an insertion socket associated with the first longitudinal edge and the first end edge; wherein the insertion socket is configured with a lower abutment surface of the socket formed by the tip of the first longitudinal edge and a rear abutment surface of the socket formed by the tip of the first end edge; in this case, the lower thrust surface of the seat and the rear thrust surface of the seat do not run parallel to each other.

[0013] It is understood that both the first and second aspects define the same concept in alternative ways, namely, the configuration of the insertion socket, to provide an advantage over both of the cutting tools of the prior art shown in FIG. 1 and 2.

[0014] By way of clarification, the cutting insert seat shown in FIG. 1 provides better chip removal than that shown in FIG. 2, since there is no insert clamping jaw 36 (shown in FIG. 2) above the front surface 48 of the cutting insert 14, which provides more space for unhindered chip flow. However, the theoretical additional stability of the cutting tool 22 shown in FIG. 2 is not secured. In contrast, the insertion socket 26 shown in FIG. 2 has a coolant outlet 28 located extremely close to the cutting insert (i.e., such proximity is due to the insert jaw 36 containing the coolant outlet 28), and the cutter 22 has the intended added stability, but lacks additional chip evacuation capability as in the configuration shown in FIG. one.

[0015] Another independent advantage has been found to be that for high feed rate applications (e.g. greater than 0.20 mm/rev) the use of a resilient jaw is less preferred than for conventional feed applications. (for example, 0.20 mm/rev or less), because it quickly loses elasticity due to the action of increased forces. It is understood that a high feed insertion seat without a resilient clamping jaw is in itself an independent advantage.

[0016] Accordingly, according to a third aspect, there is provided a cutting tool for applications with high feed rates (e.g., 0.20 mm/rev or higher) or relatively large depths of cut (e.g., >50 mm) having an insertion socket formed with the lower thrust surface of the socket and the rear thrust surface of the socket; wherein the lower abutment surface of the socket and the rear abutment surface of the socket extend non-parallel to each other. Preferably, the lower abutment surface of the socket may extend substantially perpendicular to the rear abutment surface of the socket. More preferably, the rear abutment surface of the socket may extend generally at right angles to the lower abutment surface of the socket. For the sake of clarity, said cutting tool is devoid of a clamping jaw extending over the insertion socket (ie, against the bottom stop surface of the socket, or even just above the groove made between the bottom stop surface of the socket and the rear stop surface of the socket).

[0017] It is understood that said cutting tool with an insertion socket devoid of said clamping jaw extending over the slot or bottom abutment of the socket is an independent preferred feature that may be applicable to any of the other aspects. However, it should also be understood that other aspects are not limited to this particular type of insertion socket.

[0018] Even though the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3 does not have the advantage of having a coolant outlet closest to the cutting edge on the rake side as shown in FIG. 2, it is believed that the advantageous chip evacuation capability outweighs this disadvantage, in particular for a cutoff tool that can be used for a relatively high feed rate with a correspondingly high chip evacuation rate associated with it.

[0019] According to any of the above aspects, preferably the lower abutment surface of the socket may extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the rear abutment surface of the socket may extend generally parallel to the longitudinal direction. More preferably, the rear abutment surface of the socket may extend generally at right angles to the lower abutment surface of the socket and may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0020] According to any of the above aspects, an additional insertion socket associated with the second longitudinal edge and the first end edge can be provided. Preferably, the additional insertion socket has an appropriate insertion socket design.

[0021] It should be noted that in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the flexible connection 38 of the first and second insert jaws 36, 40 is located adjacent to the opposite corner 42 associated with the second longitudinal edge 44 and the first end edge 46. It will be understood that such a configuration allows only a single insertion socket associated with the first end edge 46 (it should be noted that the first edge is the shorter edge of the cutting tool and is therefore relatively close). On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 3, since the comparative flexible joint of the jaws of the cutting insert is not closest to the adjacent corner of the first edge, a second cutting insert can be provided that is connected to the first edge. It will be understood that by providing additional pockets for the cutting insert on a single cutting tool, the service life of the cutting tool is greatly increased. This is an independent advantage of the present invention, in addition to the improved chip control described above.

[0022] According to any of the above aspects, additional insertion socket(s) associated with the second end edge may be provided.

[0023] From the description of the prior art cutter shown in FIG. 2, it is understood that the non-indexing structure can likely be derived from the flexible connection 38 of the insertion socket 26 located on the short edge of the cutting tool. Considering that, unlike the configuration shown in FIG. 1 to withstand cutting forces in the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is more likely to require an abutment located at the rear of the cutter 47, it is clearly preferable to avoid an easily damaged flexible joint used as an abutment to provide support.

[0024] However, the above aspects that do not include a flexible connection at such a location also have the advantage that at least one insertion socket can be located at both the first and second end edges.

[0025] According to any of the above aspects, regardless of the type of insertion socket, the longitudinal edge associated with the insertion socket may extend in an oblique direction under the insertion socket. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the cutting tool may be non-orthogonal to the front surface of the cutting insert.

[0026] It is understood that both known incisors depicted in FIG. 1 and 2, the longitudinal edge 44, 45 does not extend in the oblique longitudinal direction of the cutting tool under the insert seat. Similarly, the front surfaces 48, 50 in both known cutters are generally parallel or generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0027] By providing such a feature (hereinafter referred to as the "tilted cutter design"), the present invention theoretically provides a more stable cutter than known in the art, since the cutting force applied to the cutter is mostly directed along the cutter. While it is recognized that various variables, such as the diameter of the workpiece, change the direction of the cutting force, preferably the angle θ of inclination is: 60°>θ>0°, more preferably 50°>θ>10° and most preferably 40°>θ >20°. In addition, it is believed that values close to 30° are more preferable. The slope angle θ is measured between a line perpendicular to the axis of the shank and the leading oblique longitudinal edge.

[0028] Even though such an angled cutter design may be advantageous with respect to the direction of the cutting force, removing material directly below the cutting insert, such as from the side of the longitudinal edge of the insert seat, reduces the structural strength of the insert seat.

[0029] Accordingly, in addition to the sloping design of the cutter, this weakening can be counteracted by the use of an orthogonal undercut adjacent to the insertion socket. To clarify, the orthogonal hem portion of the longitudinal edge associated with the insert seat may not extend in an oblique direction (e.g., not slope under the insert seat, or in other words, extend orthogonally to the front surface), and the slanted hem connected thereto may extend from the orthogonal under-edge to the opposite end edge.

[0030] Such an orthogonal hemline may provide two independent benefits. The first advantage is that the insert jaw associated with the longitudinal edge is reinforced (i.e. allowing it to thicken and/or pass directly under the cutting insert and provide more support) and the second advantage is that the insert seat is relocated closer to the middle of the first or second end edge and thus further centers the cutting force along the longitudinal direction of the cutting tool.

[0031] Accordingly, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elongate cutter having a main longitudinal direction and comprising: opposite first and second side surfaces extending between the first and second longitudinal edges and also extending between opposite first and second end edges that are more shorter than the first and second longitudinal edges and extend transversely to the first and second longitudinal edges; and an insertion socket associated with the first longitudinal edge and the first end edge; wherein the insertion seat is a recess extending towards the second longitudinal edge.

[0032] In other words, the term "recess extending towards the second longitudinal edge" can be interchangeably defined as "the recess located at a distance from the imaginary extension line of the first longitudinal edge in the direction of the second longitudinal edge".

[0033] Regardless of the terminology used, it is understood that such an aspect provides for the centralization of the cutting force, as described above. It should also be understood that any of the foregoing features relating to the first, second and third aspects also apply to this aspect, which defines the preferred position of the insertion socket, and not the particular design of the insertion socket.

[0034] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elongated cutting tool having a main longitudinal direction and comprising: opposite first and second side surfaces extending between the first and second longitudinal edges and also extending between opposite first and second end edges, which are shorter, than the first and second longitudinal edges; wherein the first and second longitudinal edges extend along the main longitudinal direction; the cutting tool also includes an insertion socket opening towards the first end edge or closest to the first end edge; wherein the insertion socket comprises a bottom stop surface of the socket and at least one additional stop surface; wherein the first longitudinal edge comprises a proximal portion which is closest to the lower abutment surface of the socket and extends under the lower abutment surface of the socket.

[0035] More specifically, the cutting insert seat may open to one of the following: (a) a first end edge; (b) a first end edge and a first longitudinal edge; or (c) the first longitudinal edge in its portion adjacent to the first end edge.

[0036] Preferably, the proximal portion extends under the entire insertion socket.

[0037] Preferably, the proximal portion extends both in the posterior direction and in the downward direction (D _R , D _D ).

[0038] Preferably, the cutter angle θ1, measured between the bottom direction D _D and the proximal portion, is 60°>θ1>0°, more preferably 50°>θ1>10°, and most preferably 40°>θ1>20°. In addition, it is believed that values of the cutter inclination angle θ1 close to 30° are more preferable.

[0039] The above at least one additional abutment surface may be either the abutment surface of the upper jaw (similar to the pocket-related surface shown in FIG. at least one additional stop element located opposite the lower stop surface of the socket), or may be a rear stop surface of the socket (similar to the pocket surface shown in FIG. 5B, indicated by the position number "134B", and, accordingly, at least one additional stop element , generally perpendicular to the lower thrust surface of the seat). The exact orientation of the additional abutment is not important, rather it is understood that typically the cutting insert must be fixed by more than one abutment, and the position of the lower abutment of the seat is used to describe the relative orientation of said proximal portion. It should also be understood that the bottom thrust surface of the socket may, and often is, different from the flat surface, but that it generally lies in the plane P _S of the socket (see FIG. 16B). The plane of the socket is generally perpendicular to the first and second side surfaces and parallel to the front and rear directions (D _F , D _R ).

[0040] The elongated cutting tool may have a linear shape or a non-linear shape. For example, an elongated cutting tool may be bent or twisted. In embodiments where the cutting tool has a kink, said kink may preferably be located approximately at the center of the length of the cutter. Preferably, the bend can be exactly in the middle of the length of the cutter, allowing the same indexing of the cutter relative to its middle.

[0041] Such a cutter may have, for example, in the installed position a vertically extending clamping section and an obliquely extending cutting section (such sections can switch functions when indexing if they are indexable). Accordingly, for example, the cutter may be mounted in a relatively compact tool holder 64 as shown in FIG. 3 and yet have the preferred oblique orientation provided in the cutting assemblies shown, for example, in FIG. 6 and 7A. In addition, such a cutter can be installed in a standard tool holder 16 or 24 (for example, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) made for a cutter that does not have a slope.

[0042] It is clear that such a cutting tool can be installed even with different overhang lengths if necessary. This is in addition to the preferred force application.

[0043] Preliminary tests were carried out with a linear cutter having an angle of inclination of 15° (as shown in FIG. 7A) and -15° (not shown), as well as 0° (as shown in FIG. 3), and showed excellent stability at all angles. Recent testing of a 30° orientation linear cutter (in a configuration similar to the cutter shown in FIG. 7A) has been shown to provide excellent results (at approximately twice the number of slotting operations compared to the above embodiments). The non-linear type cutter shown in FIG. 16A-16E, having an orientation angle of 30°, is expected to provide similar advantages over the tested linear cutter.

[0044] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elongated cutting tool having a main longitudinal direction and comprising: opposite first and second side surfaces extending between the first and second longitudinal edges and also extending between opposite first and second end edges, which are shorter, than the first and second longitudinal edges, and extend in the transverse direction to the first and second longitudinal edges; and an insertion socket associated with the first longitudinal edge and the first end edge; moreover, the first end edge also contains a protruding portion, which protrudes generally in the longitudinal direction further than the socket for insertion; and the protruding portion contains the exit hole of the cutter, directed to the socket for insertion.

[0045] Even though providing a raised portion reduces the available chip clearance space described above, the preferred provision of coolant is believed to outweigh this disadvantage in at least some applications.

[0046] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a cutting cutter and a sealing device for the cutting cutter are provided, the cutting cutter comprising: opposing first and second side surfaces extending between peripheral edges; and socket for insertion; wherein the cutting cutter also comprises an internal structure for supplying a coolant, comprising a cutter inlet open to the first and second side surfaces, a cutter outlet open to the cutting insert seat or to the cutting insert seat, and a cutter channel extending from the inlet cutter holes to cutter outlet; wherein the sealing device comprises a sealing section configured to seal the inlet of the cutter in the second side surface, and at least partially threaded tail section, the length of which is greater than the thickness of the cutter, measured from the first side surface to the second side surface; at the same time, the cutting cutter does not have a threaded hole made with the possibility of accommodating the specified threaded tail section in it.

[0047] It is understood that the specified tail section is made with the possibility of passing through the cutter and connected by means of a thread with a threaded hole of the tool holder holding the cutting cutter. Since the cutting tool can also be made without a threaded hole for attaching the sealing device, the manufacturing of the tool is simplified (for example, by providing a simple threadless hole); a cut-off cutter can potentially be made thinner than a comparable cutter with a threaded hole (since at least three threads are usually required for a secure connection, which determines the minimum cutter thickness).

[0048] Another advantage may be that it is theoretically possible to close the cutter inlet by direct engagement with the tool holder, thus allowing high pressure coolant to be transferred without the need for an O-ring and associated structure between the tool holder and the cutting tool.

[0049] Accordingly, it is considered theoretically possible to provide a cutting cutter having a thickness of 2.2 mm or less, preferably 2.0 mm or less, and most preferably between 1.7 mm and 1.9 mm, inclusive. The specified thickness refers to the thickness of the entire cutter (assuming there are cut-off cutters that are very thin near the insert seat and thicker at a distance from the insert seat).

[0050] The present aspect can be applied to elongate cutters, in particular, having a main longitudinal direction, first and second longitudinal edges, and opposite first and second end edges that are shorter than the first and second longitudinal edges, and extend in the transverse direction. direction towards the first and second longitudinal edges, and the socket for the cutting insert is associated with the first longitudinal edge and the first end edge.

[0051] In addition, in contrast to some other aspects of the present application, the advantage of a parting tool devoid of threaded holes between its opposite first and second side surfaces is preferred even for parting tools that are not elongated (for example, parting tools of the type disclosed in patent application WO2018/047162, where they are referred to as "adapters"; said patent application belongs to the present Applicant and its contents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety).

[0052] It is understood that the advantage of a cutting tool having no threaded hole, allowing a significant reduction in the thickness of the cutter, does not apply to the shape of the cutting tool.

[0053] To sum up, the features of the seventh aspect can also be applied to a non-elongated cutter, such as a non-elongated cutting tool with one or more insertion slots.

[0054] It should be noted that the first, second, third, and fourth aspects relate to the design associated with the cutting insert seat, the fifth aspect relates to the shape of the cutter, and the sixth and seventh aspects relate to features of the coolant supply structure. Accordingly, it should be understood that any of the sixth and seventh aspects may be combined with any of the unrelated features of the first through fifth aspects to create an even more preferred cutting tool. It should also be understood that the cutter according to any of the first four aspects may be devoid of a coolant supply device if necessary.

[0055] In addition to what is stated in the discussion of the threaded hole aspect (sixth aspect), the cutting tool can be made thinner than the known comparison tools due to the additional stability provided by the orientation of the cutting insert directing the cutting force into longitudinal direction into the incisor.

[0056] Accordingly, according to any of the above aspects, the cutting tool may have a thickness of 2.2 mm or less. Said cutter thickness may correspond to the values defined above.

[0057] As described below with respect to the tool holder, the preferred tool holder for any of the aspects may hold the cutting tool in one position, i.e. without the possibility of changing the length of its projection, as in cutting cutters of the prior art shown in FIG. 1 and 2. In embodiments in which such a feature is taken into account, according to any of the above aspects, the ratio of the maximum length L _B of the cutter and the length L _S of the shank, both of which are measured parallel to the longitudinal direction, may correspond to the condition L _S /L _B < 0.45, preferably L _S /L _B <0.40 and most preferably L _S /L _B <0.35. The shank length L _S is the shortest distance measured from the second end edge to the cutter inlet provided in front of the insert seat located at the first end edge.

[0058] It is understood that if the maximum length L _B of the cutter is theoretically divided by the length L _S of the shank (for mounting in the tool holder) and the remainder being the length L _O of the overhang, the combination of the insert seat designs described above and the cutting tool assembly without the possibility of any overhang (as described below) allows a much shorter shank length L _S to be achieved than shanks previously used for parting cutters. Theoretically, the length L _S of the shank can even be as short as, for example, the width W _B of a cutting tool.

[0059] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a tool holder is provided, comprising: a tool shank having a shank axis defining forward and rear directions; and a tool head connected to the tool shank; wherein the tool shank comprises opposite topmost and bottommost shank surfaces that define top and bottom directions perpendicular to the shank axis, and also includes first and second shank side surfaces that define first and second lateral directions that are perpendicular to the shank axis, as well as top and down directions; wherein the tool head extends forward and downward from the front portion of the tool shank and includes a pocket for the cutter; wherein the cutter pocket comprises a peripheral wall provided with a socket opening that is open in an upward direction.

[0060] Without being bound by the details described in the previous paragraph, the general principle of the present invention is to provide a tool holder having a traditional ("horizontal") shank orientation similar to that shown in FIG. 1, and a non-traditional ("vertical" or "generally vertical") cutting tool orientation like that shown in FIG. 2, thus allowing the tool holder to fit into the turrets of conventional machine tools (generally lacking vertical movement capability), while at the same time providing the stability benefits of the design shown in FIG. 2. Ongoing testing has shown that the present invention provides better stability than known designs. Since the above conventional machine tools lack the ability to move vertically, according to the preferred embodiments, the tool holder is configured to hold the cutting tool in one position (i.e., without the ability to change the length of the overhang, which is available in the known tool holders depicted in FIG. 1 and 2. While this capability is always one of the main features of a cutting tool assembly with a cut-off tool, it is believed that the trade-off providing superior stability outweighs this disadvantage.In other words, aspects of the tool holder and tool assemblies of the present invention are not limited to insert seat structures or coolant supply structures described in the previous aspects, but at the same time may be clearly preferred when used in conjunction with them.

[0061] Subsequently, it was also found that even when applied to machine tools having a vertical movement capability, the present invention is preferable because the vertical movement capability is generally used for easy or light machining.

[0062] The cutter pocket is configured to hold a cutting cutter. The pocket for the cutter may be located in the middle of the tool head (for example, in a chute not shown in the drawings). Preferably, however, the pocket for the cutter is located in the side surface of the tool head.

[0063] The peripheral wall may include two side wall portions extending from the socket opening. The side wall portions may extend in a downward direction. According to a preferred embodiment, the side wall portions can extend downward and backward from the socket opening. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the bottom and rear orientation (for example, as shown in FIG. 6) is preferred over the downward direction only (90°) orientation (as shown in FIG. 3) on the basis that the vibration cutting tool during machining is less likely to cause the non-clamped part of the cutting tool to deviate from the workpiece under the action of cutting forces and return, like a pendulum, with a blow to the workpiece (it should be understood that such movement is extremely small). It is also believed that the inclined cutter design is preferred as described above. However, in FIG. 3 clearly shows one possible embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that any basic upward slope of the cutter can provide the primary benefit of the present invention, even if the cutter is tilted in a rearward direction (not shown) instead of the vertical orientation shown in FIG. 3 and a forward tilt orientation as shown in FIG. 6. However, back tilt may require the tool head to be of a bulkier design in the forward direction than vertical tilt, and for the vertical tilt to be greater than the forward tilt. As shown in FIG. 6, the forward tilt allows the tool head to be compacted in the region near its lowest point (i.e., the material indicated by dashed lines is not necessary, but at the same time it is present in FIG. 3).

[0064] The peripheral wall may include a buttress wall portion. The stop section of the wall is designed to create a cutting tool with a fixed relative height (ie, for use in one position). The stop portion is preferably located opposite the socket opening. The abutment section of the wall is preferably straight. The thrust wall may be connected to one or both of the side wall portions.

[0065] The tool holder may include a clip configured to hold a cutting tool in the tool pocket. The clip may be located adjacent to one of the side portions of the wall. Such an arrangement can provide a robust peripheral clamping mechanism of the prior art.

[0066] According to one preferred embodiment, the clamp is located adjacent to the side wall portion closest to the tool shank. This allows the other side wall portion (ie, the most forward side wall portion) to be relatively reduced, providing the advantages of a compact tool head design. It should be noted that this arrangement is the opposite of the known arrangement of cutting assemblies, in which the cutting insert is known to be on the same side of the cutter that is held by the movable clamp. This design is traditional because the cutting forces are primarily directed towards the side of the cutter held by the static (and therefore more stable) component. However, for the present invention, which tends to reduce the size of the tool holder at its front end, and cutting forces are more in the longitudinal direction than with traditional cutter arrangements (for example, as shown in FIG. 1), this design is considered to be preferable.

[0067] According to another embodiment, the peripheral wall may comprise a single side wall section extending from the socket opening, and the clip may form a second side wall section opposite the first side wall section. In such a case, the clip may be an integral part of the tool holder with one or more flexible connections (enabling a compact design) or a separate component (enabling ease of manufacture, similar to clip 54 shown in FIG. 1). In such an implementation, the preference for a compact tool head design may be overridden by the preference for access to the clamp from the front of the tool holder.

[0068] The side wall portions may be longer than the abutment wall portion. In other words, the cutter pocket may have an elongated shape. It is clear that the longer the cutter pocket, the more stable the clamping is. As a rule of thumb of prior art tool holders, the cutoff tool overhang is typically 1/3 of the total length of the cutoff tool, with the requirement to clamp the remainder. However, an extended tool pocket also requires a larger tool head. Accordingly, it is preferable to minimize the length of the cutter pocket to provide a sufficiently strong grip while reducing the size of the tool head.

[0069] Preferably, the length L _SW of the side wall section (measured from the socket opening to the abutment wall section) and the length L _ST of the stop (measured between the two side wall sections minus the length of the space occupied by the clip, if any; in other words, this value is equivalent to cutter width W _B ) meet the condition L _SW <3L _ST , preferably L _SW <2L _ST , most preferably L _SW <1.5L _ST . Theoretically, L _SW ≧L _ST is preferred.

[0070] Accordingly, the number of screws used for the clamping mechanism may be less than conventional three or four screws.

[0071] The side wall portions are preferably tapered to provide a snap-on design similar to that shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, the longitudinal edges of the cutting tool can be tapered accordingly. It should be noted that since the present tool holder does not provide overhang adjustment, the longitudinal edges need not be strictly parallel or parallel along their entire length. However, the clamping of the longitudinal edges and the more preferential tapering of the longitudinal edges is believed to provide the most preferred clamping device, even though other designs are theoretically possible (e.g., screw holes made in the cutter and pocket surface, or more preferably holes screw holes combined with wedge-shaped side edges.Even though the cutting tool does not have such screw holes, it nevertheless has the most preferred configuration.

[0072] In one embodiment, the surface of the pocket includes a threaded hole. The threaded hole may be located adjacent to the outlet of the tool holder. In such a case, the tool holder may be configured to supply a high pressure coolant (eg more than 20 bar or preferably more than 60 bar). The surface of the pocket, theoretically, can be made without a sealing element (for example, an o-ring) located between the pocket for the cutter and the cutting tool.

[0073] The tool holder may preferably be configured to hold the cutting tool in one position (ie, may only provide one length of stick-out). However, it is contemplated that a fine adjustment component may be used to fine-tune the position of the cutting tool. For example, such a component may be located adjacent to the abutment portion of the wall.

[0074] According to one embodiment, a sealing hole may be provided in the cutter. The sealing hole can be configured to accommodate the shank of the sealing device. The sealing element may be elongated in the longitudinal direction. Said sealing hole may be significantly larger than the hole in the surface of the pocket, made with the possibility of receiving the shank of the sealing device passing through the sealing hole. Such an arrangement may contribute to said fine tuning. Alternatively, such a design may facilitate the fabrication of a cutter and/or tool holder with reduced tolerance requirements and/or fine tuning of the cutter's position.

[0075] While the tool shank shown in the drawings is generally square in cross section, it should be understood that such shanks may have other shapes, such as being circular (i.e., cylindrical). For a cylindrical shank, for example, the uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the shank, as well as the first and second side surfaces of the shank, may be thin line segments parallel to the axis of the shank at certain limit positions.

[0076] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a tool holder is provided, comprising: a tool shank having a shank axis specifying forward and backward directions; and a tool head connected to the tool shank and containing an insertion socket or tool pocket; wherein the tool shank comprises: opposite uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the shank, which define upper and lower directions perpendicular to the axis of the shank; first and second side surfaces of the shank that define first and second lateral directions perpendicular to the axis of the shank and the top and bottom directions; at the same time, a reinforcing section connecting the first side surface of the shank and the tool head is located near at least a portion of the first side surface of the shank.

[0077] The reinforcing portion may provide additional structural strength to support the tool head. It is understood that there are extremely high cutting forces in the long overhang applications of the present invention, and the reinforcing section helps to reduce the bending forces acting on the tool head.

[0078] Since the development of the cutter tool holder, it has been found that the reinforcing portion also improves the performance of other types of cutting tools.

[0079] When the tool shank is installed in the turret slot, the reinforcing portion is configured to extend beyond the recess near the turret.

[0080] Preferably, the reinforcing portion also extends downwardly further than the lowest surface of the shank. In such embodiments, preferably the reinforcing portion may comprise a release portion directly adjacent to the lowermost surface. In configurations in which it is desirable for the reinforcing portion to abut against the side surface of the turret, the release portion extends only a limited distance in the downward direction, and further downward from it, the thickness of the reinforcing portion increases in the second lateral direction (i.e., as a whole to the tool shank). In other words, the release portion may give the reinforcing portion the shape of a trunnion.

[0081] In one embodiment, the width of the tool shank can be configured such that the second side surface of the shank does not contact the turret slot and the reinforcing portion abuts the turret side surface. Preferably, in such an implementation there is the above releasing site.

[0082] However, it should be understood that while such an anvil may contribute to stability to some extent, the primary benefit of the reinforcing portion is not believed to come from this anvil, but rather from the additional structural support between the tool head and tool shank. Accordingly, it should be understood that the second side surface of the shank may be configured to contact the groove of the turret, and the reinforcing portion may be configured to be positioned at a distance from the turret.

[0083] Preferably, the reinforcing portion is in the form of a cutter. By way of clarification, the width H _W of the reinforcing portion, measured parallel to the first and second lateral directions, may be the smallest dimension of the reinforcing portion. This configuration provides two advantages: first, the bending moment or bending forces are most effectively resisted by the specified cutter shape orientation; secondly, the protrusion of the reinforcing section from the turret is minimal.

[0084] While the reinforcing portion may have a uniform cross section and may extend from the tool head to the end of the shank, it is understood that the most critical area for support is located near the tool head. Accordingly, preferably, the reinforcing portion may extend from the tool head only to the central portion of the tool shank (ie, not to the rear end of the shank, although such an arrangement is clearly optional). While this arrangement is optional, it provides the advantage of reducing the amount of material required for the tool head. Similarly, the height of the reinforcing portion (measured parallel to the top and bottom directions) may be greatest near the tool head, and may decrease further away from it. The reinforcing portion may have a decreasing height as the distance from the tool head increases.

[0085] Preferably, the reinforcing portion may lie in the same plane as the pocket for the cutter. In other words, for applications involving parting off workpieces and cutting grooves, the optimal location for the reinforcing section is its location in the same plane as the cutting insert.

[0086] Preferably, the reinforcing portion may be provided with an insertion socket or cutter pocket portion. Said portion may be a side wall extending from the surface of the pocket.

[0087] Preferably, the height adjacent to the tool head is at least half the height of the tool shank. More preferably, the height next to the tool head is at least equal to the height of the tool shank. In relation to the height H _R of the reinforcing section, this means that, next to the tool head, the height H _R of the reinforcing section is at least one and a half heights H _S of the tool shank (HR ≥1.5H _S ) and preferably H _{R ≥2H S} .

[0088] The concave surface of the tool holder may extend from the front side of the tool shank to the front highest point of the tool head. The front concave surface may define the length of the tool extension from the socket opening to the height of the uppermost surface of the tail portion, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pocket.

[0089] It will be understood that, similar to the previous aspect, although the tool shank shown in the drawings is generally square in cross section, such shanks may have other shapes, such as may have a circular cross section (i.e., have a cylindrical shape) .

[0090] It is understood that any of the features mentioned in connection with the previous aspect may be included in the present aspect.

[0091] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a tool holder is provided, comprising: a tool shank having a shank axis specifying forward and backward directions; and a tool head connected to the tool shank and extending forward from the tool shank; wherein the tool shank comprises: opposite uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the shank, which define upper and lower directions perpendicular to the axis of the shank; first and second side surfaces of the shank that define first and second lateral directions perpendicular to the axis of the shank and the top and bottom directions; wherein the tool holder also includes an insertion socket or pocket for a cutter which is partly formed in the tool head and extends rearward from the tool head.

[0092] In other words, a tool holder having a tail portion to be held by a turret or machine tool and a tool head to provide support for a cutting tool or cutting insert adjacent to the workpiece to machine the workpiece in combination with the cutting tool or cutting insert , having a size at which they extend back behind the tool head, provides a compact tool assembly with a hitherto unknown relatively large depth of cut.

[0093] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool holder comprising a pocket for a cutter, which in turn comprises a pocket surface and one or more side walls; moreover, the tool holder also includes an elastic biasing element located along the surface of the pocket and configured to provide a biasing force towards one of the abutment surfaces of the tool or the area to which the two abutment surfaces of the tool converge.

[0094] According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, an axisymmetric cutting tool is provided, comprising: opposite first and second side surfaces; a peripheral edge connecting the first and second side surfaces; and a plurality of circumferential insertion sockets provided along the peripheral edge; wherein each insertion port has only one coolant passage associated with it; wherein each coolant passage extends from a cutter inlet closest to but offset from the cutting cutter center towards the cutter outlet and is open into or towards the insertion seat.

[0095] Preferably, the cutter outlet is configured to guide over the front surface of the cutting insert held by the associated insert socket.

[0096] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a cutting tool assembly is provided, comprising a tool holder, a cutting tool, and a cutting insert; wherein the tool holder comprises a pocket surface with at least one hole extending therein; wherein the cutting tool comprises at least one insert seat and at least one hole proximal to the insert seat and configured to push the insert out of the insert seat or insert the insert into the cutting insert seat; wherein when the cutting tool is mounted in the tool holder, the fastener passes through at least one hole in the cutting tool and enters at least one hole in the pocket surface to facilitate attachment of the cutting tool to the tool holder.

[0097] Preferably, the holes provided in the surface of the pocket are threaded and the fastener is a suitably threaded screw.

[0098] Preferably, at least one hole made in the cutting tool is not threaded.

[0099] According to one preferred embodiment, the cutting cutter comprises at least one additional hole, which is made without the possibility of pushing the insert out of the socket or inserting the insert into the socket, and the cutting cutter is attached to the tool holder by a fastener passing through the specified at least one additional a hole, and at least one other fastening element passing through said at least one hole, configured to push the insert out of the insertion socket or insert the insert into the insertion socket.

[00100] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a tool assembly is provided, comprising: a tool holder and either a cutting tool or a cutting insert; moreover, the tool holder includes a tool shank having a shank axis defining the front and rear directions, and a constant sectional shape perpendicular to the shank axis; and a tool head connected to the tool shank, extending in a forward direction from the tool shank, and having a varying section towards the tail section; wherein the insertion socket or pocket for the cutter is at least partially formed in the tool head; wherein when the cutting tool or cutting insert is mounted in the insert seat or tool pocket, at least a portion of the cutting tool or cutting insert extends rearwardly from the tool head.

[00101] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a tool assembly is provided, comprising: a tool holder and either a cutting tool or a cutting insert; wherein the tool holder comprises: a tool shank having a shank axis defining forward and backward directions; a tool head connected to the tool shank, extending forwardly from the tool shank, and comprising a rearward facing back surface of the tool head; and a pocket, at least partially made in the head of the tool with the possibility of holding a cutting tool or cutting insert; however, when the cutting tool or cutting insert is mounted in the pocket, it extends rearwardly past the rear surface of the tool head.

[00102] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a cutting tool assembly is provided, comprising a tool holder and a cutting tool according to any of the previous aspects.

[00103] It is understood that the following features apply to all aspects.

[00104] The cutting tool assembly may also include a cutting insert. The cutting insert may include a cutting edge that is wider than the width of the entire cutting tool.

[00105] The tool holder may be configured to hold the cutting tool only along its circumferential region by means of a pocket surface abutment.

[00106] The body of the cutter may be a one-piece, one-piece construction (i.e., the term "body" does not refer to cutting inserts and sealing devices).

[00107] Preferably, the tool holder (i.e., tail portion and tool head) may be a one-piece, one-piece structure. In other words, the tool head is preferably integrally connected to the tail section. It is understood that fastening said two different components together, for example by means of screws, may be effected, however, such a construction is usually weaker or less compact, and thus said monolithic one-piece construction is more preferred.

[00108] The cutting cutter may be symmetrical about a bisector plane extending parallel to the first and second side surfaces and evenly spaced from the first and second side surfaces.

[00109] The cutting cutter may have a 180° rotational symmetry about a cutter axis that extends through the center portion in a direction perpendicular to the first and second side surfaces.

[00110] The cutting cutter may have mirror symmetry about a side plane extending perpendicular to the first and second side surfaces and located midway between the opposite first and second end edges. Such a design can provide a double-sided cutting cutter that is not axisymmetric about a cutter axis extending through the center portion in a direction perpendicular to the first and second side surfaces.

[00111] The first and second side surfaces of the cutting tool may be flat. Notably, a flat cutter is significantly less expensive to manufacture than a laterally extending component.

[00112] The tool holder portions adjacent to the turret may be: either the surface of the reinforcing portion or the side surface of the tool shank; the lower and upper surfaces of the tool shank; and back surface of the tool head. It should be noted that the shape of the turret contact is not important to the tool head, but may provide better stability.

[00113] The cutter portions adjacent to the cutter pocket may be: one of the first and second side surfaces; first and second longitudinal edges; and preferably, but optionally, one of the first and second end edges.

[00114] For the avoidance of doubt, any of the features described above, mentioned in connection with one aspect, but the disclosed advantage of which is clearly applicable to another aspect, is capable of being combined with said other aspect.

[00115] For example, any of the above aspects may comprise a feature of a reinforcing portion and any features related thereto.

[00116] Likewise, all cutters are considered to be held in an extremely stable manner. Thus, the above details of such cutting tools, the thickness of which is preferably less than a certain thickness (for example, less than 2.2 mm or 2 mm), is applicable to all cutting tools.

[00117] Similarly, the entire tool holder of the present invention may include a pocket for the tool, which in turn contains the surface of the pocket and one or more side walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00118] To better understand the object of the present application and demonstrate its practical implementation, the following are the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a known cutting tool and workpiece assembly;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a known cutting tool in a tool holder like that shown in FIG. 1, and blanks;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a cutting tool assembly according to the present invention and a portion of a workpiece;

FIG. 3A is a schematic side view of another cutting tool according to the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a side view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 3 installed in the turret;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the cutting tool and turret assembly of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a front view of the cutting tool and turret assembly of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is an enlarged front view of the portion labeled "IVD" in FIG. 4C;

FIG. 4E is a sectional view taken along the IVE-IVE line shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the cutter of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5B is a side view of the cutter shown in FIG. 5A showing internal coolant passages indicated by dashed lines;

FIG. 5C is a rear view of the cutter shown in FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5D is a front view of the cutter shown in FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5E is a plan view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 5B;

FIG. 6 is a side view of yet another cutting tool assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a side view of another cutting tool assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the cutting tool assembly of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a rear perspective view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the cutter of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8B is a side view of the cutter shown in FIG. 8A showing internal coolant passages indicated by dashed lines;

FIG. 8C is a rear view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 8B;

FIG. 8D is a front view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 8B;

FIG. 8E is a plan view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 8B;

FIG. 9A is a side view of the tool holder of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 9B is a rear view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C is a front view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9D is a bottom view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9E is a plan view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the clamp of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 10B is a side view of the clamp shown in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a rear view of the clip shown in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10D is a bottom view of the clamp shown in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A is a side view of the cutting tool assembly, FIG. 7A;

FIG. 11B is a rear view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11C is a front view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11D is a bottom view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11E is a plan view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a side view of another tool holder according to the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13A is a side perspective view of another cutting tool assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 13B shows another exploded side perspective view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13C is a side view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13D is a bottom view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13E is a plan view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A is a side perspective view of another cutting tool assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 14B shows another perspective side view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 14A, also showing an exemplary embodiment indicated by dashed lines;

FIG. 14C is a side view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14D is a rear view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14E is a front view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14F is a bottom view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14G is a plan view of the cutting tool assembly of FIG. 14A, also showing the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 14B indicated by dashed lines;

FIG. 15A is a side perspective view of another cutting tool assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 15B shows another perspective side view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 15C is a side view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 15D is a rear view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 15E is a front view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 15F is a bottom view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 15G is a plan view of the cutting tool assembly shown in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a cutting tool according to the present invention;

FIG. 16B is a side view of the cutter shown in FIG. 16A;

FIG. 16C is a rear view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 16B;

FIG. 16D is a front view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 16B;

FIG. 16E is a plan view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 16B;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 16A mounted on a tool holder which is in turn mounted on an adapter;

FIG. 18A is a side view of yet another cutting tool;

FIG. 18B is a plan view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 18A;

FIG. 18C is a bottom view of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 18A;

FIG. 19A is a side view of a tool holder capable of holding a cut-off tool shown in FIG. 18A;

FIG. 19B is a rear view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 19A;

FIG. 19C is a front view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 19A;

FIG. 19D is a bottom view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 19A;

FIG. 19E is a plan view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 19A;

FIG. 20A is a side view of the tool assembly containing the cutting tool shown in FIG. 18A and the tool holder shown in FIG. 19A, as well as screws, coolant seal, bias member, and cutting insert;

FIG. 20B is a rear view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 20A;

FIG. 20C is a front view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 20A;

FIG. 20D is a bottom view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 20A;

FIG. 20E is a plan view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 20A;

FIG. 21A is a side view of yet another cutting tool;

FIG. 21B is a front view of the cutter shown in FIG. 21A;

FIG. 21C is a rear view of the cutter shown in FIG. 21A;

FIG. 22A is a side view of a tool holder capable of holding a cut-off tool shown in FIG. 21A;

FIG. 22B is a rear view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 22A;

FIG. 22C is a bottom view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 22A;

FIG. 22D is a plan view of the tool holder shown in FIG. 22A;

FIG. 23A is a front perspective view of the tool assembly containing the cutting tool shown in FIG. 21A and the tool holder shown in FIG. 22A, as well as screws and cutting insert;

FIG. 23B is a rear perspective view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 23A;

FIG. 23C is a side view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 23A;

FIG. 23D is a side view opposite the side view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 23C;

FIG. 24A is a side view of a tool assembly containing a cutting tool and tool holder, as well as screws and a cutting insert; dashed lines show the opposite side of the tool holder;

FIG. 24B is a rear view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 24A;

FIG. 24C is a front view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 24A;

FIG. 24D is a bottom view of the tool assembly of FIG. 24A; and

FIG. 24E is a plan view of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 24A.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[00119] FIG. 3 shows a cutting tool assembly 60 configured to cut a metal workpiece 62, which is described generally for a basic understanding of the general principle of a cutting tool according to the present invention.

[00120] The cutting tool assembly 60 includes a tool holder 64 and a cutting tool 66 mounted in the tool holder 64 and configured to hold a single cutting insert 68.

[00121] As shown in FIG. 4E, the tool holder 64 includes a tool shank 70 having a shank axis A _S (as shown in FIG. 3) defining forward and backward directions D _F , D _R (as shown in FIG. 3).

[00122] The tool shank 70 has opposing topmost and bottommost surfaces 74, 76 that define the ascending and descending directions D _U , D _D , and also has first and second side surfaces 78, 80 that define the first and second side directions D _S1 , D _S2 . It is understood that the first side surface 78 of the shank is considered to be in the slot 82 of the turret, and the continuation of the material 84 in the first lateral direction D _S1 is considered part of the reinforcing section 86. However, for purposes of determining the first and second lateral directions D _S1 , D _S2 may the outer surface 88 of the reinforcing section 86 can be used.

[00123] The tool holder 64 also includes a tool head 90 that includes a cutter pocket 92 in which a cutting tool 66 is clamped by a clamp 94. The tool head 90 may also typically have a concave front surface 95 to provide space for the workpiece 62.

[00124] Specifically, the reinforcing portion 86 connects the tool head 90 to the tool shank 70 to increase rigidity therebetween.

[00125] An exemplary cutting tool 66 shown in FIG. 3A, for example, has a longitudinal axis L, which, like the example described above, shown in FIG. 3 extends along the main longitudinal direction D _E of the cutting tool 66. In this embodiment (as shown in FIG. 3), the main longitudinal direction D _E is perpendicular to the shank axis A _{S .} The main longitudinal direction D _E is also perpendicular to the front surface 72 of the cutting insert 68.

[00126] The topmost surface 74 of the shank is aligned with the cutting edge 96 and the center portion of the workpiece C.

[00127] As shown in FIG. 4A, conventional machine tools can generally only move the turret 98 in the illustrated direction along the X axis (which is parallel to the shank axis A _S ), but not in the illustrated direction along the Y axis. Thus, the overhang or height of the cutting tool assembly 60 ( or other tool shown below) cannot be changed (at least for these standard machines, over which the present invention has a significant advantage). In other words, the cutting tool assembly 60 is configured to mount the cutting tool 66 in only one position. However, it should be noted that the present invention can in any case be used on machines that provide the ability to move in both the X direction and the Y direction. However, this design allows machining using a cut-off tool 66 having the orientation , on a standard machine with limited axes.

[00128] As shown in FIG. 4A-4E, the cutting tool assembly 60 may be mounted on the turret 98. More specifically, the tool shank 70 is clamped in the turret slot 82 using the turret clamp 100. The turret clamp 100 is tapered, and the two turret clamp screws 102 create a downward wedging force on the tool shank 70 .

[00129] As shown in FIG. 4E, the reinforcing portion 86 extends beyond the turret slot 82 (ie, in the first lateral direction D _S1 ) and also extends from there in the downward direction D _D .

[00130] FIG. 3, it can be seen that the size of the reinforcing portion 86 decreases as it approaches the trailing end 104 of the shank.

[00131] The reinforcing section has opposite first and second sides 106, 108 of the reinforcing section. Between the tool shank 70 and the second side 108 of the reinforcing section, a releasing section 110 is formed which separates a part of the side 108 of the reinforcing section near the lowermost surface 76 from the side surface 112 of the turret.

[00132] The width of the shank has a dimension at which the second side surface 80 of the shank does not contact the inner wall 114 of the slot 82 of the turret. Thus, according to this embodiment, the second side 108 of the reinforcing portion contacts the side surface 112 of the turret. However, the opposite arrangement can be used, i. e. when the second side surface 80 of the shank contacts the inner wall 114.

[00133] As best shown in FIG. 4D, the cutting edge 96 has a width W _C that is greater than the thickness T _B of the cutting tool, which in this non-limiting example is equal to the width of the entire cutting tool 66.

[00134] Although the image in FIG. 3 is given by way of example only, from FIG. 3A, it will be appreciated that a cutting tool 116 of this design may have four insertion slots 118A, 118B, 118C, 118D.

[00135] FIG. 5A-5E show a cutting tool 120, which is described in more detail below.

[00136] The cutter 120 has first and second side surfaces 122A, 122B, first and second longitudinal edges 124A, 124B, opposite first and second end edges 126A, 126B.

[00137] As shown in FIG. 5A and 5E, the first and second longitudinal edges 124A, 124B are wedge-shaped.

[00138] In this example, the main longitudinal direction D _E is parallel to the first and second longitudinal edges.

[00139] The first and second insertion seats 128A, 128B are associated with the first longitudinal edge 124A and the first end edge 126A, and the second longitudinal edge 124B and the first end edge 126A, respectively.

[00140] Because the insertion slots are identical, only the first insertion slot 128A will be described in detail.

[00141] The first insertion seat 128A includes first and second insertion jaws 130A, 130B that define an insert accommodating slot 132 in a position opposite each other. The slot 132 for receiving the insert is shown open in the direction of the first end edge 126A, which in this example corresponds to the direction indicated by the position D _G . The insert accommodating slot 132 has a slot axis G _A that extends midway between the first and second cutting insert jaws 130A, 130B and intersects an imaginary plane P _E defined by the first end edge 126A.

[00142] The first insertion socket 128A is also configured with a socket bottom stop surface 134A formed at the first longitudinal edge end of the first longitudinal edge 124A and a socket back stop surface 134B formed by the first end of the first end edge 126A. As best shown in the side view of FIG. 5D, the slot axis G _A is parallel to the rear abutment surface 134B of the socket. In addition, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A-5E, the slot axis G _A is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L. Note that the first insertion socket 128A also includes an abutment surface 134C parallel to the rear abutment surface 134B of the socket. Preferably, both the lower seat abutment surface 134A and the rear socket abutment surface 134B may be wedge-shaped, and the abutment surface 134C may not be wedge-shaped.

[00143] The cutter 120 may also preferably include an internal coolant supply structure. With regard to the identical design for supplying coolant to the second insertion seat 128B, for purposes of illustration, the design for supplying coolant may include an inlet 136, a first outlet 138 located in the protruding portion 140, and a first channel 142 extending therebetween. The coolant supply structure may also include a second outlet 144 located at the second longitudinal edge 124B and a second channel 146 extending from the inlet 136 to the second outlet 144. In particular, the single inlet 136 of the cutter may provide coolant as to the first and second outlets 138, 144.

[00144] The coolant supply structure may include a sealing hole 148 associated with the cutter inlet 136 such that the sealing device 150 (shown in FIG. 7B) can seal the cutter inlet 136.

[00145] The thickness dimension T _B of the cutter is the smallest dimension of the cutting cutter 120.

[00146] The width W _B of the cutting cutter is greater than the thickness T _B of the cutter.

[00147] The longitudinal dimension L _B of the cutter (also referred to as the maximum length of the cutter) is the largest dimension of the cutting cutter 120.

[00148] The drawing shows the length L _S of the shank.

[00149] Shown in FIG. 6, an example of the construction of the inclined cutter will not be described in detail. The overall construction of this cutter is similar to the embodiments described above, except that the longitudinal edge 124A extends under the insertion seat 128A. It is understood that the cutting force F _C is not perpendicular to the shank axis A _S , but is generally oblique (and varies due to various factors). Also, as mentioned above, the tool head 90 having such an oblique design can be made more compact. For example, material can be removed from the area indicated by the position number "152".

[00150] Thus, the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is considered to be more preferable than the perpendicular cutter design embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The advantages of the oblique angle θ design are detailed above.

[00151] FIG. 7A shows a parting cutter 166 having an almost identical design, except that an orthogonal undercut 154 (i.e., generally orthogonal to the shank axis A _S ) is directly below the cutting insert 168. An oblique undercut 156, similar to that shown in FIG. 6 may extend from the orthogonal undercut 154. According to one embodiment of the cutting tool 166 shown in FIG. 8A-8D, the slot axis G _A is also substantially parallel to the rear abutment surface 134B of the socket. However, according to this embodiment, the groove axis G _A forms an acute angle β with respect to the longitudinal axis L.

[00152] In this example, the insertion seat 128A is recessed towards the second longitudinal edge 124B. Such an arrangement can also be described as an insertion seat 128A located at a distance from the imaginary extension line L _E of the first longitudinal edge in the direction D _L towards the second longitudinal edge 124B.

[00153] The cutting tool assembly 158 shown in FIG. 7A-11E.

[00154] The cutting tool assembly 158 is generally similar to the assembly shown in FIG. 3, except for the oblique position of the cutting tool, as described above with respect to the design of the cutting tool.

[00155] As shown in FIG. 7B, the cutting tool assembly 158 includes a tool holder 164 and a cutting tool 166 mounted in the tool holder 164 and configured to hold the cutting insert 168.

[00156] The tool holder 164 also has a tool shank 170 and a tool head 190 that includes a cutter pocket 192 in which a cutting tool 166 is clamped by a clamp 194 and associated screws 196.

[00157] The clamp has wedge-shaped side surfaces 195 (as shown in FIG. 10D) for clamping the cutting tool 166.

[00158] The reinforcing portion 186 connects the tool head 190 and the tool shank 170.

[00159] The tool head 190 also includes a cutter pocket 198 located in the side surface 208 of the head. The cutter pocket 198 has a peripheral wall 210 formed in the pocket opening opening in an upward direction.

[00160] The peripheral wall 210 may include two side wall portions 212A, 212B extending the cutter pocket opening 214. The side wall portions 212A, 212B in this example extend downward and backward (as shown in FIG. 9A) from the cutter pocket opening 214.

[00161] Peripheral wall 210 may also preferably include an abutment wall portion 216 opposed to tool pocket opening 214.

[00162] FIG. 11A shows the side wall length L _SW and the stop length L _ST .

[00163] The cutter pocket 198 also has a pocket surface 218 . The cutter pocket surface may be provided with the tool holder outlet 220 . In this example, the tool holder outlet 220 is provided with a recess 221 to receive an O-ring 222.

[00164] The sealing device 150 includes a threaded screw 200, an annular seal 202, and a ring 204, but may be one integral component. The threaded screw 200 has a head connected to a partially threaded tail portion.

[00165] The threaded screw is configured to interact with the threaded hole 206 in the pocket surface 218 only through the thread. Thus, the threaded screw 200 passes through the hole made in the cutting tool without interacting with it through the thread. In other words, the cutting tool is devoid of a threaded hole that is capable of cooperating by means of a thread with the tail section of the screw passing through it.

[00166] FIG. 9B shows the height H _S of the shank, the width H _W of the reinforcing section, and the height H _R of the reinforcing section. Both of the shank height H _S and the reinforcing section height H _R are measured parallel to the top and bottom directions and perpendicular to the shank axis, while the reinforcing section width H _W is measured perpendicular to the top and bottom directions and the shank axis. The height H _R of the reinforcing section next to the tool head is greater than the height H _S of the shank. The height H _S of the shank is greater than the width H _W of the reinforcing section. Accordingly, the reinforcing portion can be described as having the shape of a cutter in a plane parallel to the top and bottom directions and the axis of the shank. It will be understood that although this shape is described in terms of the image in FIG. 9B, it is generally preferred for all tool post embodiments.

[00167] FIG. 12A and 12B show an alternative tool holder 224. In this example, the clip 226 is located further away from the tool shank 228 to allow access to the clip from the front side of the tool holder 224.

[00168] FIG. 13A-13E depict a cutting tool assembly 230 containing additional features that may be included in any of the aspects of the present invention. For example, the reinforcing portion 234 is designed to be largest near the tool head 232. For example, the first portion 236 of the reinforcing portion 234 near the tool head 232 is the largest. This is accompanied by a decrease in size in the adjacent area 238. Finally, in the area indicated by the position number "240", a significant reinforcing area 234 is not visible.

[00169] Similarly, tool head 232 may be wedge-shaped 242 to allow access to narrow areas of the workpiece and reduce the amount of material needed for tool construction.

[00170] Finally, the drawing shows an elongated sealing hole 244 allowing the connection of the threaded hole 206 with some flexibility for fine tuning.

[00171] FIG. 14A-14G show another cutting tool assembly 246. The cutting tool assembly 246 includes a tool holder 248 and an indexable cutting insert 250. It has been found that even such assemblies in which the reinforcing portion 252 extends from the tool shank 254 have improved stability. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 14F, the cutting insert 250 and the reinforcing portion 252 are aligned along the same plane as shown in the drawing, similar to previous implementations.

[00172] Notably, the peripheral wall of the pocket, as depicted in FIG. 14A is open not only in the upper but also in the forward direction. Thus, the peripheral wall supports the cutting insert or cutter from behind and below. Since the support of the peripheral wall extends along most of the height of the cutting insert or cutter, it is expected that even stronger support is provided than in the embodiments of the elongate cutter shown in the drawings, since in this case the upper end of the cutter is not supported from behind.

[00173] In other words, regardless of the type of insert or cutter, the presence of a reinforcing section is considered a preferred feature of any of the above-described options for the tool holder.

[00174] Likewise, regardless of the type of insert or cutter, the cutter pocket or insert seat may preferably include side wall portions only at the lowest and most rear sides of the pocket surface to support the cutter or cutting insert at the back and bottom.

[00175] In addition, in FIG. 14B and 14G show additional supporting features. Hatching (simply to highlight this component, so as not to show a sectional view) indicates an additional reinforcing section 253. It should be noted that, like the reinforcing sections shown in other embodiments, additional structural strength can also be provided by a reinforcing section extending upward from shank (i.e. similar to the area located next to the turret). Although the configuration with the reinforcing section extending downwards is considered to be the most preferred, a configuration with a reinforcing section extending both downwards and upwards from the shank, or only downwards, as shown in the drawings according to still other embodiments, is definitely a feasible configuration. or just up (not shown). It is understood that such a configuration can be applied to any tool holder according to the present invention. Although the schematically shown upwardly extending additional reinforcing section 253 is relatively short compared to the reinforcing section 252, it should be noted that this dimension is shown for illustrative purposes only. However, a single reinforcing section (e.g. extending only downstream of the shank) requires fewer manufacturing steps and less material for the stock (which the tool holder must be made of) and is therefore the preferred option.

[00176] FIG. 15A-15G depict another cutting tool assembly 256. The cutting tool assembly 256 includes a tool holder 258 and a pivoting insert 260. Even for such assemblies, the reinforcing portion 262 has been found to increase stability.

[00177] FIG. 16A shows a cutting tool 320 having a construction somewhat similar to that shown in FIG. 8C (i.e., for example, having a first orthogonal sub-edge 321A, which is optional but preferred, and more importantly, an oblique sub-hem 325A extending from the orthogonal sub-hem 321A; the oblique sub-hem 325A in this example is also referred to as the first parallel sub-section ).

[00178] In particular, the main addition that is made to the cutting tool 320 by way of illustration is the non-linearity (tilt or bend) of the elongated tool. All other features, such as those described below (e.g., a single centrally located insert seat at each end instead of two sockets, and the relationship between insert seat and undercut and its orientation), apply equally to all cutters of the present invention.

[00179] The cutting tool 320 shown in FIG. 16A-16E.

[00180] The cutter 320 has first and second side surfaces 322A, 322B, first and second longitudinal edges 324A, 324B, opposite first and second end edges 326A, 326B.

[00181] The first and second longitudinal edges 324A, 324B may be wedge-shaped, as shown in the drawing.

[00182] Each of the first and second longitudinal edges 324A, 324B has first parallel sub-sections 325A, 325B and second parallel sub-sections 327A, 327B. In particular, the cutting tool 320 is symmetrical about the cutter plane B _P to enable indexing.

[00183] In this example, the main longitudinal direction D _E , like the cutting tool 320, has two non-linear sections. The first main longitudinal direction D _E1 is parallel to the first parallel sub-sections 325A, 325B, and the second main longitudinal direction D _E2 is parallel to the second parallel sub-sections 327A, 327B.

[00184] Only one, ie. first, the insert seat 328A is associated with the first end edge 326A, and only one second identical insert seat 328B is associated with the second end edge 326A.

[00185] With respect to the single first insertion seat 328A, which is in any case identical to the insertion sockets described above, it should be noted that it comprises first and second cutting insert jaws 330A, 330B, as well as a lower abutment surface 334A of the socket formed on the insert seat side that is closer to the first longitudinal edge 324A than the second longitudinal edge 324B.

[00186] In the present example, there is only one insertion socket 328A, 328B located at each end of the cutting tool 320. Although this results in fewer insertion sockets because each socket is recessed towards the center of the respective end edge , this approach results in a more robust cutting tool design. In other words, the insertion slots are located primarily in the central part of the cutting tool (ie, located at a certain distance from both the first and second longitudinal edges 324A, 324B). Accordingly, the orthogonal under-edges 321A, 321B are considered to be part of the end edges and not part of the parallel longitudinal edges.

[00187] Between the first parallel sub-section 325A and the adjacent second parallel sub-section 327A, there may be a curved release portion 332 that assists in the removal of the cutting tool when it is installed in the tool holder.

[00188] According to this preferred embodiment, the insertion socket 328A is only open towards the first end edge 326A. However, it should be understood that such a cutting tool may have other insertion socket designs, such as those shown in FIG. 2, in which the insertion socket is open to both the first end edge and the first longitudinal edge, or (not shown) is open only to the first longitudinal edge.

[00189] Regardless of the type of insertion socket, this cutter is preferred because, given the position of the first insertion socket 328A, the proximal portion 325A of the first longitudinal edge 324A extends under the lower abutment surface 334A of the socket. Thus, this cutting tool is preferable because it extends in the first main longitudinal direction D _E1 , which substantially coincides with the direction of the cutting force applied to the tool, which helps to increase the stability of the cutting tool. At present, the best known cutter angle θ1 is 30° as shown in the drawing, but other angles can also be used.

[00190] A separate independent advantage in terms of stability is that the socket for insertion is mainly located in the central part of the incisor.

[00191] It is understood that such features apply equally to the linear cutter 166 shown in FIGS. 8A-8E.

[00192] The cutting tool 320 is a completely separate aspect in that it has a non-linear shape. This aspect does not include structural features of strength, described above, but which provides the ability to install this cut-off tool in various tool holders.

[00193] For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the cutter 320 may be held by a prior art tool holder 304 (sold under the trademark Iscar SGTBU 32-6G).

[00194] For the sake of completeness, the adapter 300 shown in the drawing, through which the tool holder 304 is held, is sold under the trade name Mazak C8 ASHA56085-32A.

[00195] The adapter 300 has a shank 302 that extends in the page direction in the drawing, i. generally perpendicular to the first and second side surfaces of the cutting tool 266. One advantage of the shank 302 extending perpendicular to the cutter is a reduced overhang compared to an adapter (not shown) having a shank extending in the rear direction D _D of the cutting tool 266. However, this design may have a more limited depth of cut because the adapter 300 is relatively close to the workpiece. However, this disadvantage can be compensated by increasing the length of the cutting tool (which, however, increases the overhang of the cutting tool itself).

[00196] In addition, the cutter 320 may also be configured to fit into a tool holder 64 that is not originally designed to accommodate a non-linear cutter.

[00197] Thus, the non-linear cutting tool shown in the drawings can be installed in both known tool holders and new tool holders according to the present invention.

[00198] In addition, the non-linear cutting tool may also have a variable extension length.

[00199] The above at least one additional abutment surface may be any upper jaw abutment surface (similar to the pocket type shown in FIG. at least one additional stop element located opposite the lower stop surface of the socket) or may be a rear stop surface of the socket (similar to the type of pocket shown in FIG. 5B, indicated by the position number "134B", and accordingly at least one additional stop element, in generally perpendicular to the lower thrust surface of the seat). The exact orientation of the additional abutment surface is not important, rather it is understood that the insert will normally be fixed by more than one abutment surface, and the position of the lower abutment surface of the socket is used to describe the relative orientation of the proximate area. It is also contemplated that the bottom abutment surface of the socket may, and often is, not a flat surface, but generally lies in the plane P _S of the socket (as depicted in FIG. 16B). The plane of the socket is generally perpendicular to the first and second side surfaces and parallel to the front and rear directions (D _F , D _R ).

[00200] The elongated cutting tool may have a linear/non-linear shape. For example, an elongated cutting tool may be bent or twisted. In embodiments where the cutting tool has a kink, the kink may be located approximately at the center of the length of the cutter. Preferably, the bend can be located exactly in the middle of the length of the cutter, allowing the same indexing of the cutter relative to its middle.

[00201] FIG. 24A-24E depict another cutting tool assembly 600.

[00202] The cutting tool assembly 600 is similar to the assembly 246 shown in FIG. 14A-14F, except that instead of the five-sided symmetrically indexable, rotatable insert 250 shown in the drawing, a five-sided, symmetrically indexed, rotatable cutter 602 with five insert sockets 604 is shown.

[00203] The tool holder 606 is similar to that shown in FIG. 14 and has a reinforcing portion 608 supporting a tool head 609 in which there is a pocket 610 (as well as a cutting tool 602) lying in the same plane as the reinforcing portion 608.

[00204] Also similar to FIG. 14A, the peripheral wall 612 of the tool holder pocket (whose abutment surfaces are the rear side wall portion 614, and which, as indicated above, is called the abutment wall portion 616, although in this case both wall portions perform the same function) is open not only in upstream D _U , but also forward D _F . For completeness, pocket 610 also includes a pocket surface 617.

[00205] The rear side wall portion 614, the abutment wall portion 616, and the pocket surface 617 are the abutment surfaces of the tool holder 606 shown in the drawings. In other words, the cutter 602 abuts only against the rear side wall portion 614, the abutment wall portion 616, and the pocket surface 617. There is no additional side wall portion in front of the tool holder 606 of the previous embodiments having a clip.

[00206] One advantage of this type of pocket design is that it fully supports the cutting insert (as shown in FIG. 14A) or cutter (as shown in FIG. 24A) in both the rearward direction D _R and downward direction D _D. In other words, there is no hanging or unsupported section of the cutting tool in the direction in which the cutting forces are applied (eg, in the direction of the cutting force F _C as shown in FIG. 6), resulting in improved stability.

[00207] Therefore, this is one of the reasons why such a design has proven to be even more stable than the elongated cutting tool of the embodiments described above.

[00208] As indicated above, the present invention was developed for structures with long overhangs. More specifically, the present invention has been designed for relatively large depths of cut, which, it is believed, may require either an elongated cutter having a hanging or unsupported portion, or a massive tool assembly, which is impractical.

[00209] A relatively large tool head (i.e., significantly larger than the tool shank) was required to provide the preferred cut-off tool orientation described above. In order to properly support the extremely large tool head, a reinforcing section was invented.

[00210] Subsequently, it has been found that the reinforcing portion even provides additional stability to inserts and other cutting tools, even different from the elongated cutting tools described above, as already explained above.

[00211] However, a fully supported indexable cutting tool for large depths of cut was not originally conceived due to space constraints. In essence, there is a limit to the size of the tool head or cutoff tool size that is practical to fit into a standard turret or machine tool. Accordingly, compactness is still a market requirement. Likewise, it is common knowledge that increased overhang increases instability, and thus machinists choose an appropriately sized tool with minimum overhang for machining. One of the advantages of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 1 and 2 is that the overhang distance can be reduced for shallow depth of cut applications, resulting in increased stability.

[00212] In this implementation (for example, depicted in FIG. 24A) shows a new idea of the invention, consisting in the fact that a non-elongated cut-off tool (in the sense described above) can be configured to be used at relatively large depths of cut compared to relatively small tool holder.

[00213] This was achieved by the discovery that a standard pocket with bottom and rear peripheral walls can be made to extend rearwardly past the tool head by using the area along the turret.

[00214] In other words, the pocket of the tool post can extend from the tool head located in front of the shank in the rear direction D _R until it is behind the back surface 618 of the tool head (ie, its abutment surface). Accordingly, the cutting tool 602 can also extend rearward from the front surface of the turret (in FIG. 4D, this surface is indicated by the reference number "99"), allowing the overall dimension of the tool head 609 and the cutting tool 602 to only protrude forward from the turret by a relatively smaller a distance than if the entire pocket were located in front of the back surface 618 of the tool head (more specifically, the part of the tool head that abuts against the turret, against its abutment surface). It is understood that the tool holder need not be moved rearward until the back surface 618 abuts the front surface 99 of the turret in order to use it, however, regardless of whether there is contact, the back surface 618 will in any case provide a minimum overhang of the tool head 609.

[00215] It should also be noted that, unlike other cutters, a significant advantage of the present invention is that there is no tool clamp above (or immediately above or above and behind) the front surface of the cutting insert. Thus, there is no structure preventing the chips from moving along said rake face.

[00216] It should also be noted that, unlike other variable position cutting tools such as those shown in FIG. 1 and 2, there is a significant advantage over the fixed position cut-off tool in less set-up time. Also, such tools require additional separate structurally independent parts. It should be noted that the present invention contains a very small number of parts. Namely, a single tool holder and a cut-off tool mounted on it using standard screws (not including coolant accessories or offset element described below).

[00217] As an additional benefit, it is clear that the reinforced portion 608 is provided for added structural strength given the large cutter size used, allowing for more strenuous machining operations, or alternatively providing better stability during normal machining operations.

[00218] In fact, the present concept has been found to be so stable that in machining operations, even at shallow depths of cut, this tool provides excellent stability and finished condition. In other words, the same tool that can be used for high depth of cut operations can also be the best choice for shallow depth of cut operations because the tool is relatively compact and even more stable than smaller tools. This also means that the variable depth setting of known cut-off tools is no longer an advantage.

[00219] It should be noted that the preferred embodiment does not use a clamp of the type shown above, but rather, for example, a plurality of screws 620A, 620B, 620C to keep the tool head 609 compact. Preferably, screw holes (not shown) may be located near the concave surface 622 of the tool head 609 for better stability. While the exact number of screws or clamping structure is not important, it is clear that the absence of a front sidewall portion (eg, as indicated by 212A in FIG. 7B) or a clamp at that location (as depicted in FIG. 12B), or clamp on the opposite side (as shown in FIG. 11A) helps to provide a more compact design.

[00220] Although this advantage is believed to be primarily preferred for parting cutters, which are typically much larger than cutting inserts, as shown in FIG. 14A, and therefore, with respect to the cutter pocket shown in the drawing, theoretically the same tool design is possible for cutting inserts, only with the name "cutter pocket" replaced by the name "insert socket". However, usually a single screw or clamp is sufficient to mount the cutting insert, since it is usually made of cemented carbide, which is harder than steel (a typical material used for parting cutters).

[00221] In addition to the advantageous dimensions of the reinforcing portion 608 already described in connection with other embodiments, some relationships will be described below to illustrate the difference in tool holder and/or cutter dimensions obtained so far.

[00222] The rear sidewall portion 614 may have a rearmost point 624.

[00223] The tool holder 606 may have a frontmost point 628.

[00224] The abutment wall portion 616 may have a lowest point 626.

[00225] The length L _P of the pocket is defined parallel to the axis of the shank A _S from the rearmost point 624 of the rearmost stop surface (which in this case is the rear sidewall portion 614) to the most forward point 628 of the tool holder 606. It is understood that the present embodiment has releasing portions 625A, 625B located between pocket wall portions, but these do not reflect the size of the cutting tool to be mounted in the pocket, and hence said abutment surfaces are chosen as a reference for pocket size. It should also be noted that one of the sides of the cutting tool and the adjacent side wall, collectively referred to as 627, are located at a small distance from each other and, therefore, are not abutment surfaces.

[00226] The height H _P of the pocket is defined perpendicular to the shank axis A _S from the lowest point 626 of the lowest abutment surface (which in this case is the abutment portion 616 of the wall) to the highest point of the tool holder 606.

[00227] Similarly, the length L _H of the tool head is given parallel to the axis A _S of the shank from the rear surface 618 to the most forward point 628 of the tool holder 606.

[00228] The cutting tool height H _I is set perpendicular to the shank axis A _S from the lowest point of the cutting tool 602 to the highest point of the cutting tool 602.

[00229] Considering the tool holder 606 alone, the length of the tool head 609 is indicative of the principle of the present invention, which is shorter than the length of the pocket 610.

[00230] In other words, preferably the length L _P of the pocket is longer than the length L _H of the tool head, resulting in a preferred compact tool head 609 while providing a large depth of cut.

[00231] In the resulting designs, the length L _P of the pocket is greater than the length L _H of the tool head by at least 10%, preferably more than 20%. For example, in this case: L _P /L _H = 1.26, i.e. approximately more than 26%. The upper limit has not yet been determined.

[00232] Similarly, with respect to the tool assembly 600, indicative of the principle of the present invention is the length of the tool head 609, which is less than the length of the cutting tool 602.

[00233] As shown in the drawing, the corresponding length of the cutter 602 is even longer than the length L _P of the pocket, since the cutter extends from it in the rear direction, despite the fact that they are about the same size. In other words, preferably, the length of the cutoff tool (defined parallel to the shank axis A _S from the _rearmost point of the cutoff tool 602 to its most forward point) is longer than the length LH of the tool head, whereby a preferable compact tool head 609 is obtained while providing a large depth of cut.

[00234] In the resulting designs, the length L _I of the cutting tool is greater than the length L _H of the tool head by at least 10%, preferably more than 20%.

[00235] The following notable relationships relate to the heights of the various components.

[00236] First, it should be understood that the stability of known tool assemblies derives from their structural strength, which is typically related to the size of the cross section of the shank. Since shanks are usually square or round, the height can be obtained as the corresponding variable, given that most of the cutting forces are oriented in the downward direction D _D .

[00237] In particular, the height H _S of the shank is less than the height H _P of the pocket. Preferably, the dimensions of the tool holder correspond to the condition: H _P ≥1.5H _S , and most preferably H _P ≥2H _S . For example, if the shank height H _S is 20 mm, the pocket height is preferably greater than 30 mm, or even greater than 40 mm. It will be appreciated that a reinforcing portion is highly desirable in order to provide stability.

[00238] Similarly, with respect to the tool assembly 600, indicative of the principle of the present invention is the height H _I of the parting cutter, which is greater than the height H _S of the shank. It should be noted that the height H _I of the cutting tool is even greater than the height H _P of the pocket. Thus, just as preferably, the tool assembly satisfies the condition: H _I ≥1.5H _S, and most preferably H _I ≥2H _S .

[00239] In particular, the design shown is suitable for general shank heights (19-32 mm), which means that all other dimensions can remain the same, and only the shank height (and width for the normal case of a square section) will change.

[00240] In particular, the height H _R of the reinforcing portion at least immediately adjacent to the tool head for the present design is about two to three shank heights H _S.

[00241] It should be noted that since screws are used in the present concept, the narrowing of the pocket wall sections is not significant, since the screws move the cutting tool towards the surface of the pocket, thereby reducing the number of operations for manufacturing the cutting tool, since the beveling of the edges in this case is not is necessary.

[00242] On the other hand, wedge-shaped edges may allow the use of fewer screws, as well as other advantages, and, therefore, it is also possible to include beveled edges in parts of the cutting tool and wall sections.

[00243] FIG. 18A-20E depict another cutting tool assembly 400. Also in the development of the five-slot cut-off tool 602 shown in FIG. 24A-24E, it has been found that the cutter 402 with four insertion slots can enable an even more compact tool holder 404 and has excellent stability even though the service life of the cutter 402 is relatively reduced due to the fact that the number of slots 408 for cutting insert reduced by one seat.

[00244] In addition, during development, unique features were also obtained that can be applied to cutting cutters having a different shape.

[00245] As shown in FIG. 18A-18C, the cutter has an opening 410 adjacent to each cutting insert seat 408 for inserting or removing an insert, as is known in the art. However, these particular holes 410 in the cutter are enlarged and serve the dual function of being holes for receiving screws as shown in FIG. 20A. This makes it possible to increase the structural strength of the cutting tool 402 and reduce the total number of holes in the manufacture.

[00246] As in other implementations, the inlet 412 of the cutter is located adjacent to the seal hole 414. The seal hole 414 is preferably threadless to provide the benefits described above. The drawing schematically shows the internal channel 416 of the cutter, which may extend from the inlet 412 of the cutter to the outlet 418 of the cutter. To seal the cutter inlet 412, a sealing device 417 (as shown in FIG. 20A) similar to those described above or of any desired design may be provided if necessary.

[00247] The cutting cutter 402 is a cutter capable of four-way indexing around a central axis A _P . While only one cutter channel 416 has been described and shown, it should be understood that there are four such channels.

[00248] In particular, due to the rotational symmetry of the present embodiment and the fact that the cutter inlet 412 is located at a distance from the cutting cutter axis A _P , only one cutter channel 416 and one cutter exit 418 are provided for each cutting insert seat 408 . Since there is only one outlet 418.

[00249] Preferably, the peripheral edge comprises straight or substantially straight abutment surfaces (ie, in a side view of a cutting tool such as that shown in FIG. 18A) extending between each insert seat 408.

[00250] As shown in FIG. 19A-19B, the tool holder 404 is similar to those described above, except for the following notable features.

[00251] A single o-ring 428 and a corresponding, preferably elongate trough 430 surrounds both the threaded hole 432 of the tool and the outlet 434 of the tool holder for ease of manufacture.

[00252] A bias hole 436 may be provided for bias member 438 (as shown in FIG. 20A). Preferably, the offset hole 436 is located at a location that matches the hole already present in the cutter 402. Optimally, such a hole is located near the center axis A _P of the cutter, so that the cutter 402 can be moved in one offset direction D _B (as shown in FIG. 20A), i.e. in the direction in which the abutment surfaces of the tool (ie, side wall portions 440, 442) converge. For example, the hole is preferably either the cutter inlet 412 or, as in this example, the sealing hole 414. of these surfaces if there is at least a partial force acting in the direction of these surfaces.

[00253] In particular, if necessary, but preferably before fixing the cutting tool 402 in the set position by means of the screws 437A, 437B, 437C on the tool holder 404, it is useful to move the cutter to the clamped position.

[00254] One general way to provide the desired offset is to design at least one of the screw holes with an offset position such that it offsets the cutting tool in the offset direction D _B .

[00255] This preferred method uses a bias member 438, which may be a resilient member, in this example commercially available from Erwin Halder KG under the name "side plunger" (serial no. A 2215), which is attached to said pocket surface 444 via a hole 436 for offset. Of course, such an offset is purely optional, but is preferred.

[00256] Finally, the side wall portions 440, 442 are oriented approximately at right angles to each other. The release chute 448 is provided adjacent to the side wall portions 440, 442, allowing the cutting tool 402 to be used with a flat peripheral edge 426 (i.e., not having a rounded or conical shape), thus reducing tool manufacturing steps.

[00257] For the sake of completeness, the pocket surface 444 is provided with multiple (preferably at least three) threaded tool holes 450A, 450B, 450C.

[00258] Generally speaking, it should be noted as a separate aspect of the present invention: a tool assembly 400 comprising a cutting cutter 402 having cutter openings 410 located adjacent to each insertion socket 408, configured to push or insert the cutting insert 422; and a tool holder 404 having threaded holes 450A, 450B, 450C provided at locations corresponding to the locations of cutter holes 410.

[00259] The advantages of these features in connection with the tool assembly 600 shown in FIG. 24A-24E.

[00260] The tool holder 404 includes a reinforcing portion 452 supporting the tool head 454, and the pocket 456 (as well as the cutting tool 402) is aligned with the same plane as the reinforcing portion 452 lies.

[00261] Remarkably, the pocket 456 extends rearward beyond the back surface 458 of the tool head. It should be noted that at least a portion of one of the tool abutments, in particular the rear abutment surface 440 of the tool in this example, is provided on the reinforcing portion 452.

[00262] In other words, it has been found that the reinforcing portion 452 can be provided not only as an additional structural support, but also as part of the tool pocket 456. It is paradoxical that such a design involves the removal of part of the material of the reinforcing section and, consequently, its weakening, but it turned out that in general such a design is advantageous.

[00263] Generally speaking, it should be noted that a separate aspect of the present invention is that the reinforcing portion connecting the shank and tool head may include at least a pocket portion.

[00264] However, despite this, most of the pocket 456 can preferably be placed in front of the back surface 458 of the tool head. It should be noted that the tool head 454 can provide significant support to the cutting tool 402.

[00265] Preferably, none of the threaded holes 450A, 450B, 450C of the tool are located in the relatively thin reinforcing section 452, but rather in the tool head 454 or tail section 460 (i.e., the tool hole 450A is made behind the back surface 458 of the tool head already in the tail section 460). However, it should be noted that it is not entirely impossible to place a threaded hole of the tool on the reinforcing portion, even though this may require a small screw (not shown).

[00266] Generally speaking (ie, with reference to all embodiments), it should be noted that the reinforcing portion is not preferred in that it increases the protrusion of the tool holder away from the turret. Accordingly, the width H _W of the reinforcing section should, however, be kept as small as possible, while preferably providing structural strength. Thus, preferably the width H _W of the reinforcing section should be less than 20 mm, preferably less than 10 mm. However, given that the structural support also requires some significant width, the most preferred width is 2 mm <H _W < 8 mm.

[00267] With respect to the cutting tool assembly 400, the square cutting tool 402 has the same cutting tool height H _I and cutting tool length L _I.

[00268] In terms of future development, the actual dimensions of the first tested prototype capable of cutting a workpiece (not shown) having a diameter of 80 mm are as follows: H _R = 64 mm; L _I = H _I = L _P = H _P = 60 mm; _LH = 50 mm; H _S = 25 mm).

[ ₀₀₂₆₉ ] It should be noted that the above dimensions can be provided for any common standard shank size (eg, a shank having a square cross section and a height HS from 19 mm to 32 mm).

[00270] In this example: L _P /L _H = 1.2, which corresponds to a slightly less compact version than the previous implementation. However, the rearward extent to which the pocket can be designed is variable.

[00271] A newly designed version, essentially identical to that shown in the drawings, but designed to cut a workpiece (not shown) having a diameter of 120 mm, has the following dimensions: H _R = 95 mm; L _I = H _I = L _P = H _P = 90 mm; _LH = 67 mm; H _S = 19-32 mm).

[00272] In the new design: L _P /L _H = 1.34, which characterizes it as a more compact version than the previous implementation shown in FIG. 24.

[00273] It should be noted that the 4-pass indexable prototype was found to be extremely stable, and for a workpiece having a diameter of 80 mm, a cutting cutter thickness of 2 mm was found to be sufficient. It is believed that such stability even makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the cut-off tool to between 1.2 mm and 1.6 mm while still maintaining excellent stability; such thicknesses are considered revolutionary for a parting cutter with such a large depth of cut, in addition to the many benefits described above.

[00274] FIG. 21A-23E depict another cutting tool assembly 500. In addition to the development of the 402 cut-off tool with four inserts, it has been found that the 502 cut-off with three inserts allows for an even more compact tool holder 504, and the tested version showed excellent stability, even though tool life with a cutting tool 502 is relatively reduced due to the reduction in the number of slots 506 for insertion per slot.

[00275] The drawings, which show the prototype cutting tool assembly 500, do not show a structure for supplying a coolant, although it can also be provided if necessary. In addition, during development, even more unique features were found that can be applied to cut-off tools with a different shape.

[00276] Since these features, similar to those of previous embodiments, are apparent from the drawings, only the most notable of the newly developed features will be described below.

[00277] The cutter 502 is provided with a plurality of through holes 510 (preferably threadless in yet other embodiments), namely first, second, third and fourth through holes 510A, 510B, 510C, 510D. Notably, these through holes are not adjacent to the insertion slots 506 and do not have a dual function. In addition, the through holes 512A, 512B, 512C adjacent to the insertion slots 506 do have a dual function as described above.

[00278] Notably, the tool holder 504 is provided with first and second holder threaded holes 514A, 514B aligned with through holes 512A, 512B, 512C.

[00279] Similarly, the tool holder 504 is provided with third and fourth holder threaded holes 516A, 516B aligned with the first, second, third, and fourth through holes 510A, 510B, 510C, 510D.

[00280] The screws 518 are best shown in FIG. 23A, from which it is clear that in this embodiment, fastening with four screws 518 is used.

[00281] Generally speaking, this embodiment should be considered a separate aspect of the present invention, providing a cutting tool assembly comprising a cutting tool and a tool holder, in which one part of the cutter's holes are dual-use holes, and the other part of the holes are single-use holes, as described above.

[00282] The tool holder 504 includes two tool abutments (ie, the larger and smaller side wall portions 520, 522).

[00283] The first through hole 510A and the third threaded hole 516A are offset from each other to provide the displacement force D _B shown in FIG. 22A. Preferably, the displacement force D _B is directed towards the larger side wall portion 520. More preferably, the displacement force D _B is directed towards the larger side wall portion 520 at its portion which is closer to the smaller side wall portion 522 than to the middle of the larger side wall portion 520.

[00284] Although not shown in the drawing, in contrast to the displacement, the third threaded hole 516A can be configured to provide a displacement force in a manner similar to that described in the previous implementation, for example, using a so-called "side plunger" .

[00285] FIG. 23C schematically shows an example in which the holes are aligned.

[00286] Remarkably, the pocket 524 extends even farther rearward beyond the back surface 526 of the tool head than in previous implementations. Similar to the previous implementation, the entire side wall portion (in this example, designated 520) may be rearwardly behind the rear surface 526.

[00287] With respect to the cutting tool assembly 500, the first prototype tested capable of cutting a workpiece (not shown) with a diameter of 80 mm has the following dimensions: H _R = 72 mm; L _I = 70 mm; H _I = 68 mm; L _P = 66 mm; H _P = 68 mm; _LH = 37mm; H _S = 25 mm).

[ ₀₀₂₈₈ ] It should be noted that the above dimensions apply to any shank having a common standard size (eg, shanks with a square cross section having a height HS from 19 mm to 32 mm).

[00289] In this example: L _P /L _H = 1.78, which provides significantly more compactness than previous implementations. Thus, even with fewer insert slots, this embodiment is preferred.

[00290] With respect to cutters with three, four, and five insert pockets shown in the drawing, it should be noted that although any number of insert pockets is theoretically possible, the most preferred number is 3-6 insert pockets. Of course, three insertion slots provide a clear advantage over one or two insertion slots, while even a single insertion slot is a viable option. However, using more than six insert pockets makes chip removal difficult (because the insert pockets become closer in circumference to each other with each insert pocket added). However, since this principle can be applied to very large depths of cut, it is quite feasible to have a plurality of cutting insert pockets in parting cutters.

[00291] In the present description, an exemplary embodiment and details are provided above, which do not exclude from the scope of protection of the present invention and the appended claims, non-shown embodiments and details thereof.

Claims (26)

1. The holder (64, 164, 224, 248, 258, 404, 504, 606) of the cutting tool, containing: a shank (70, 170, 228, 254) having a shank axis A _s defining forward and aft directions (D _F , D _R ), and head (90, 190, 232, 454, 609) connected to the shank and containing a socket for a cutting insert or pocket for a cutter, wherein the shank (70, 170, 228, 254) contains: opposite topmost and bottommost surfaces (74, 76) of the shank, which define the top and bottom directions (D _U , D _D ) perpendicular to the axis A _s of the shank, and the first and second side surfaces (78, 80) of the shank, which define the first and second lateral directions (D _S1 , D _S2 ) perpendicular to the axis A _s of the shank, the upper and lower directions (D _U , D _D ), characterized in that adjacent to the first side surface (78) of the shank there is a reinforcing section (86, 186, 234, 252, 262, 452, 608), having the shape of a rib and connecting the first side surface (78) of the shank and the head (90), while the shank (70, 170, 228, 254) has a height H _S , the shank, measured parallel to the upper and lower directions (D _U , D _D ) and perpendicular to the axis A _s of the shank, reinforcing section (86, 186, 234, 252, 262, 452, 608) has a height H _R of the reinforcing section parallel to the height H _S of the stem, wherein the height of the reinforcing portion H _R adjacent to the head (90) is greater than the height H _S of the stem. 2. Holder (64, 164, 224, 248, 258, 404, 504, 606) according to claim 1, in which H _R ≥ 1.5H _S . 3. Holder (64, 164, 224, 248, 258, 404, 504, 606) according to claim 2, in which H _R ≥ 2H _S . 4. Holder (64, 164, 224, 248, 258, 404, 504, 606) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shank (70, 170, 228, 254) has a shank height H _s measured parallel to the top and bottom directions (D _U , D _D ) and perpendicular to the axis A _s of the shank, and the reinforcing section (86, 186, 252, 262, 452, 608) has a width H _W of the reinforcing section, measured perpendicular to the upper and lower directions and the axis A _s shank, and the height H _s of the shank is greater than the width H _W of the reinforcing section. 5. The holder (64, 164, 224, 248, 258, 404, 504, 606) according to any one of claims 1-4, in which the shank (70, 170, 228, 254) contains a rear end (104), and reinforcing section (86, 186, 234, 252, 262, 452, 608) extends from the head (90, 190, 232, 454, 609) to the rear end (104) of the shank or extends from the head (90, 190, 232, 454, 609) only to the central section of the shank (70, 170, 228, 254). 6. The holder (64, 164, 224, 248, 258, 404, 504, 606) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the largest height H _R of the reinforcing section is located adjacent to the head (90, 190, 232, 454 , 609) and decreases with increasing distance from it. 7. Holder (64, 164, 224, 248, 258, 404, 504, 606) according to any one of claims 1-6, in which the head (90, 190, 232, 454, 609) extends in the front and rear directions ( D _F , D _R ) from the leading portion of the shank, and the reinforcing portion extends further downward than the lowest surface of the shank. 8. Holder (64, 164, 224, 248, 258, 404, 504, 606) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the head (454) is wedge-shaped in plan view of the cutting tool holder. 9. Holder (64, 164, 224, 248, 258, 404, 504, 606) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cutter pocket (198) or insert seat includes a peripheral wall (210), forming a pocket or nest opening that is open in an upward direction (D _U ). 10. Holder (404) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said cutting tool pocket or cutting insert seat comprises side wall portions (440, 442) only at the lowest and rearmost sides of the pocket surface (444) or sockets to support the cutting tool or cutting insert at the back and bottom. 11. The holder according to claim 10, made as part of a cutting tool assembly containing a cutting tool, and the peripheral wall extends upward along the rear end of the pocket. 12. Holder (164) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cutting insert seat or cutting tool pocket (198) is located in the side surface (208) of the head (190). 13. Holder (64, 164, 224, 248, 258, 404, 504, 606) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the pocket length L _P is defined parallel to the shank axis A _s from the rearmost point (624) of the rearmost abutment surface (614) to the most forward point (628) of the holder (606) of the cutting tool and the length L _P of the pocket is greater than the length L _H of the head. 14. The holder according to claim 13, wherein the length L _P of the pocket is greater than the length L _H of the head by at least 10%. 15. The holder according to claim 14, wherein the length L _P of the pocket is greater than the length L _H of the head by at least 20%. 16. The holder (64, 164, 224, 248, 258, 404, 504, 606) according to any one of claims 1-15, in which the reinforcing section (86, 186, 234, 252, 262, 452, 608) passes as in the lower direction, and in the upper direction (D _U , D _D ) of the shank (70, 170, 228, 254). 17. A cutting tool assembly (400, 600) comprising a cutting tool holder (404, 606) according to any one of claims 1 to 16 and a cutting tool or cutting insert, in which the head (454, 609) of the holder comprises a rearward-facing rear surface ( 458, 618) of the head, wherein the pocket (456, 610) or socket is formed at least partially in the head and is configured to hold a cutting tool or cutting insert, respectively, with the cutting tool (402, 602) or cutting insert mounted in a pocket or nest, extend posteriorly past the posterior surface of the head (458, 618). 18. The cutting tool assembly (400) of claim 17, comprising a cutting tool (402) with a peripheral wall (440) extending upward along the rear end of the pocket (456). 19. A cutting tool assembly (400, 600) according to claim 17 or 18, comprising a cutting tool (402), wherein the length L _I of the cutting tool is greater than the length L _H of the head by at least 10%. 20. A cutting tool assembly (400, 600) according to claim 17 or 18, comprising a cutting tool (402), wherein the length L _I of the cutting tool is greater than the length L _H of the head by at least 20%.

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