Patent Application
20230302546
The disclosure relates to grooving tool holders and to methods of their use.
Existing grooving tool holders often have issues applying uniform clamping pressure to a cutting insert held by the grooving tool holder. This can result in the cutting insert separating from the grooving tool holder. To avoid this, excessive amounts of tightening torque is often applied to clamp the cutting insert in place within the grooving tool holder. This can lead to damage to the grooving tool holder or cutting insert.
An improved grooving tool holder and method of its use is needed to reduce one or more issues associated with one or more of the existing grooving tool holders.
In one embodiment, a grooving tool holder includes a lower portion, an upper portion, a cutting insert receptacle, a first fastener-mating hole, a second fastener-mating hole, a first axis, and an upper portion. The upper portion is pivotable relative to the lower portion. The cutting insert receptacle is disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion. The cutting insert receptacle includes an upper clamping jaw disposed in the upper portion and a lower clamping jaw disposed in the lower portion. The first fastener-mating hole is disposed in the upper portion. The second fastener-mating hole is disposed in the lower portion in alignment with the first fastener-mating hole. The first axis extends longitudinally along the grooving tool holder through a center of the first fastener-mating hole. The upper portion includes first and second portions disposed on opposite sides of the first axis. The first and second portions include different shapes or different sizes. The upper portion includes a total mass. The first portion includes a first mass. The second portion includes a second mass. A sum of the first mass and the second mass equals the total mass of the upper portion. The first mass and the second mass are within +−20% of one another.
In another embodiment, a grooving tool holder includes a lower portion, an upper portion, a web portion, a cutting insert receptacle, a separating slit, a first fastener-mating hole, a second fastener mating-hole, a first axis, and an upper portion. The web portion is disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion. The cutting insert receptacle is disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion. The cutting insert receptacle includes an upper clamping jaw disposed in the upper portion and a lower clamping jaw disposed in the lower portion. The separating slit is disposed from the web portion to the cutting insert receptacle. The upper portion is pivotable relative to the lower portion via the web portion. The first fastener-mating hole is disposed in the upper portion. The second fastener-mating hole is disposed in the lower portion. The first axis extends longitudinally along the grooving tool holder through a center of the first fastener-mating hole. The first and second fastener-mating holes are concentrically aligned around a second axis. The first and second axis intersect perpendicularly. The upper portion includes first and second portions disposed on opposite sides of the first axis. The first and second portions include different shapes or different sizes. The upper portion includes a total mass. The first portion includes a first mass. The second portion includes a second mass. A sum of the first mass and the second mass equals the total mass of the upper portion. The first mass and the second mass are within +−20% of one another.
In still another embodiment, a method of attaching a cutting insert to a grooving tool holder is provided. In one step, the cutting insert is disposed into a cutting insert receptacle of the grooving tool holder between and against an upper clamping jaw of an upper portion of the grooving tool holder and a lower clamping jaw of a lower portion of the grooving tool holder. The upper portion comprises first and second portions disposed on opposite sides of a first axis extending longitudinally along the grooving tool holder through a center of the first fastener-mating hole. The first and second portions comprise different shapes or different sizes. The upper portion comprises a total mass. The first portion comprises a first mass. The second portion comprises a second mass. A sum of the first mass and the second mass equals the total mass of the upper portion. The first mass and the second mass are within +−20% of one another. In another step, a fastener is extended into a first fastener-mating hole in the upper portion into a second fastener-mating hole in the lower portion. In still another step, the fastener is moved in a first direction, the upper portion pivots relative to the lower portion, and the upper clamping jaw moves towards the cutting insert applying more clamping force against the cutting insert. In yet another step, the fastener is moved in a second direction, the upper portion pivots relative to the lower portion, and the upper clamping jaw moves away from the cutting insert applying less clamping force against the cutting insert.
The scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims and is not affected by the statements within this summary.
The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure.
As shown in
The shank 12 extends longitudinally along the grooving tool holder 10. The shank 12 is configured to clamp the grooving tool holder 10 to a pocket P of a machine 34 using fasteners F.
The lower portion 16 comprises a first elongate member 16a extending longitudinally from the lower portion 16. The upper portion 18 comprises a second elongate member 18a extending longitudinally from the upper portion 18. The cutting insert receptacle 24 is disposed between the first elongate member 16a of the lower portion 16 and the second elongate member 18a of the upper portion 18. The cutting insert receptacle 24 comprises an upper clamping jaw 24a disposed in the second elongate member 18a of the upper portion 18 and a lower clamping jaw 24b disposed in the first elongate member 16a of the lower portion 16.
The cutting insert 26 is disposed between and against the upper clamping jaw 24a and the lower clamping jaw 24b. The upper clamping jaw 24a and an upper surface 26a of the cutting insert 26 each comprise a separate respective mating V-shape that mate against one another. Similarly, the lower clamping jaw 24b and a lower surface 26b of the cutting insert 26 each comprise a separate respective mating V-shape that mate against one another.
The first fastener-mating hole 28 is disposed in the upper portion 18. The second fastener-mating hole 30 is disposed in the lower portion 16 in concentric alignment with the first fastener-mating hole 28 around axis 31. The fastener 32 extends into the first and the second fastener-mating holes 28 and 30. The fastener 32 is threadedly attached to the second fastener-mating hole 30 causing the cutting insert 26 to be clamped between the upper clamping jaw 24a and the lower clamping jaw 24b.
The machine 34 may move the tool holder 10 linearly in direction 35 towards a workpiece W to cut a groove G in the workpiece W with the cutting insert 26, or in direction 37 away from the workpiece W to retract the cutting insert 26 from the workpiece W.
The upper clamping jaw 24a is configured to move towards the lower clamping jaw 24b in direction 36 as the fastener 32 is rotated in direction 38 within the first and second fastener-mating holes 28 and 30. As this happens, the upper clamping jaw 24a gradually clamps tighter against the upper surface 26a of the cutting insert 26 providing continuously increasing clamping of the cutting insert 26 between the upper clamping jaw 24a and the lower clamping jaw 24b.
The upper clamping jaw 24a is configured to move away from the lower clamping jaw 24b in direction 40 as the fastener 32 is rotated in direction 42 within the first and second fastener-mating holes 28 and 30. As this happens, the upper clamping jaw 24a gradually decreases the clamping against the upper surface 26a of the cutting insert 26 providing continuously decreasing clamping of the cutting insert 26 between the upper clamping jaw 24a and the lower clamping jaw 24b. In one embodiment, direction 40 may be clockwise and direction 42 may be counter-clockwise. In other embodiments, directions 40 and 42 may vary.
Axis 44 extends longitudinally along the grooving tool holder 10 through a center 46 of the first fastener-mating hole 28. Axis 44 intersects axis 31 perpendicularly. The upper portion 18 comprises first and second portions 18b and 18c disposed on opposite sides of the axis 44. The first and second portions 18b and 18c comprise different shapes and different sizes. The second portion 18c extends widthwise from axis 44 to a side-surface 10a of the grooving tool holder 10. The second elongate member 18a of the second portion 18c comprises a slope 18d which extends entirely linearly downward. The first portion 18b extends widthwise from axis 44 to a location 10b disposed inwardly from a side-surface 10c of the grooving tool holder 10.
The upper portion 18 comprises a total mass TM. The first portion 18b comprises a first mass FM. The second portion 18c comprises a second mass SM. The sum of the first mass FM and the second mass SM equals the total mass TM of the upper portion 18. In one embodiment, the first mass FM and the second mass SM are within +−20% of one another. In another embodiment, the first mass FM and the second mass SM are within +−15% of one another. In still another embodiment, the first mass FM and the second mass SM are within +−10% of one another. In yet another embodiment, the first mass FM and the second mass SM are within +−5% of one another. In still another embodiment, the first mass FM and the second mass SM are idential.
It has been discovered that it is critical and unexpected to have the first mass FM and the second mass SM be within +−20% of one another, within +−15% of one another, within +−10% of one another, within +−5% of one another, or be identical. This has been unexpectedly discovered to: (1) improve clamping strength on the cutting insert 26 applied by the upper and lower clamping jaws 24a and 24b of the grooving tool holder 10, particularly for grooving tool holders 10 having longer-length 48 second elongate members 18a which reduces the likelihood of the cutting insert 26 from coming out of the cutting insert receptacle 24; (2) redistribute pressure between the upper clamping jaw 24a and the upper surface 26a of the cutting insert 26 and between the lower clamping jaw 24b and the lower surface 26b of the cutting insert 26 resulting in increased positive clamping force being placed on the cutting insert 26; and (3) optimize the clamping force placed on the cutting insert 26 by the upper and lower clamping jaws 24a and 24b to obtain increased reaction force 50 of the upper surface 26a of the cutting insert 26 against the upper clamping jaw 24a. These unexpected benefits are obtained without having to alter the screw tightening torque placed on the fastener 32 extending between the first and the second fastener-mating holes 28 and 30 and threadedly mated to the second fastener-mating hole 30.
In other embodiments, one or more of the components of the grooving tool holder 10 of
As shown in
The shank 112 extends longitudinally along the grooving tool holder 110. The shank 112 is configured to clamp the grooving tool holder 110 to a pocket P1 of a machine 134 using fasteners F1.
The lower portion 116 comprises a first elongate member 116a extending longitudinally from the lower portion 116. The upper portion 118 comprises a second elongate member 118a extending longitudinally from the upper portion 118. The cutting insert receptacle 124 is disposed between the first elongate member 116a of the lower portion 116 and the second elongate member 118a of the upper portion 118. The cutting insert receptacle 124 comprises an upper clamping jaw 124a disposed in the second elongate member 118a of the upper portion 118 and a lower clamping jaw 124b disposed in the first elongate member 116a of the lower portion 116.
The cutting insert 126 is disposed between and against the upper clamping jaw 124a and the lower clamping jaw 124b. The upper clamping jaw 124a and an upper surface 126a of the cutting insert 126 each comprise a separate respective mating V-shape that mate against one another. Similarly, the lower clamping jaw 124b and a lower surface 126b of the cutting insert 126 each comprise a separate respective mating V-shape that mate against one another.
The first fastener-mating hole 128 is disposed in the upper portion 118. The second fastener-mating hole 130 is disposed in the lower portion 116 in concentric alignment with the first fastener-mating hole 128 around axis 131. The fastener 132 extends into the first and the second fastener-mating holes 128 and 130. The fastener 132 is threadedly attached to the second fastener-mating hole 130 causing the cutting insert 126 to be clamped between the upper clamping jaw 124a and the lower clamping jaw 124b.
The machine 134 may move the tool holder 110 linearly in direction 135 towards a workpiece W1 to cut a groove G1 in the workpiece W1 with the cutting insert 126, or in direction 137 away from the workpiece W1 to retract the cutting insert 126 from the workpiece W1.
The upper clamping jaw 124a is configured to move towards the lower clamping jaw 124b in direction 136 as the fastener 132 is rotated in direction 138 within the first and second fastener-mating holes 128 and 130. As this happens, the upper clamping jaw 124a gradually clamps tighter against the upper surface 126a of the cutting insert 126 providing continuously increasing clamping of the cutting insert 126 between the upper clamping jaw 124a and the lower clamping jaw 124b.
The upper clamping jaw 124a is configured to move away from the lower clamping jaw 124b in direction 140 as the fastener 132 is rotated in direction 142 within the first and second fastener-mating holes 128 and 130. As this happens, the upper clamping jaw 124a gradually decreases the clamping against the upper surface 126a of the cutting insert 126 providing continuously decreasing clamping of the cutting insert 126 between the upper clamping jaw 124a and the lower clamping jaw 124b. In one embodiment, direction 140 may be clockwise and direction 142 may be counter-clockwise. In other embodiments, directions 140 and 142 may vary.
Axis 144 extends longitudinally along the grooving tool holder 110 through a center 146 of the first fastener-mating hole 128. Axis 144 intersects axis 131 perpendicularly. The upper portion 118 comprises first and second portions 118b and 118c disposed on opposite sides of axis 144. The first and second portions 118b and 118c comprise different shapes and different sizes. The second portion 118c extends widthwise from axis 144 to a side-surface 110a of the grooving tool holder 110. The second elongate member 118a of the second portion 118c comprises a slope 118d which extends upward and then curves downward. The first portion 118b extends widthwise from axis 144 to a side-surface 110c of the grooving tool holder 110.
The upper portion 118 comprises a total mass TM1. The first portion 118b comprises a first mass FM1. The second portion 118c comprises a second mass SM1. The sum of the first mass FM1 and the second mass SM1 equals the total mass TM1 of the upper portion 118. In one embodiment, the first mass FM1 and the second mass SM1 are within +−20% of one another. In another embodiment, the first mass FM1 and the second mass SM1 are within +−15% of one another. In still another embodiment, the first mass FM1 and the second mass SM1 are within +−10% of one another. In yet another embodiment, the first mass FM1 and the second mass SM1 are within +−5% of one another. In still another embodiment, the first mass FM1 and the second mass SM1 are identical.
It has been discovered that it is critical and unexpected to have the first mass FM1 and the second mass SM1 be within +−20% of one another, within +−15% of one another, within +−10% of one another, within +-5% of one another, or be identical. This has been unexpectedly discovered to: (1) improve clamping strength on the cutting insert 126 applied by the upper and lower clamping jaws 124a and 124b of the grooving tool holder 110, particularly for grooving tool holders 110 having longer-length 148 second elongate members 118a which reduces the likelihood of the cutting insert 126 from coming out of the cutting insert receptacle 124; (2) redistribute pressure between the upper clamping jaw 124a and the upper surface 126a of the cutting insert 126 and between the lower clamping jaw 124b and the lower surface 126b of the cutting insert 126 resulting in increased positive clamping force being placed on the cutting insert 126; and (3) optimize the clamping force placed on the cutting insert 126 by the upper and lower clamping jaws 124a and 124b to obtain increased reaction force 150 of the upper surface 126a of the cutting insert 126 against the upper clamping jaw 124a. These unexpected benefits are obtained without having to alter the screw tightening torque placed on the fastener 132 extending between the first and the second fastener-mating holes 128 and 130 and threadedly mated to the second fastener-mating hole 130.
In still other embodiments, the sizes and shapes of the first portions 18b and 118b and second portions 18c and 118c may vary further as long as the first mass FM and FM1 of the first portions 18b and 118b and the second mass SM and SM1 of the second portions 18c and 118c are within +−20% of one another, within +−15% of one another, within +−10% of one another, within +−5% of one another, or be identical.
In other embodiments, one or more of the components of the grooving tool holder 110 of
As shown in
Step 262 comprises disposing the cutting insert into a cutting insert receptacle of the grooving tool holder between and against an upper clamping jaw of an upper portion of the grooving tool holder and a lower clamping jaw of a lower portion of the grooving tool holder. The upper portion comprises first and second portions disposed on opposite sides of a first axis extending longitudinally along the grooving tool holder through a center of the first fastener-mating hole. The first and second portions comprise different shapes or different sizes. The upper portion comprises a total mass. The first portion comprises a first mass. The second portion comprises a second mass. A sum of the first mass and the second mass equals the total mass of the upper portion. The first mass and the second mass are within +−20% of one another.
Step 264 comprises extending a fastener into a first fastener-mating hole in the upper portion into a second fastener-mating hole in the lower portion. Step 266 comprises moving the fastener in a first direction, the upper portion pivoting relative to the lower portion, and the upper clamping jaw moving towards the cutting insert applying more clamping force against the cutting insert. Step 268 comprises the fastener moving in a second direction, the upper portion pivoting relative to the lower portion, and the upper clamping jaw moving away from the cutting insert applying less clamping force against the cutting insert.
The upper portion may pivot relative to the lower portion via a web portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion. A separating slit may be disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion. The separating slit may be disposed from the web portion to the cutting insert receptacle.
The first and second fastener-mating holes may be disposed concentrically around a second axis.
The first and second axis may intersect perpendicularly.
The first mass and the second mass may be within +−15% of one another.
The first mass and the second mass may be within +−10% of one another.
The first mass and the second mass may be within +−5% of one another.
The first mass and the second mass may be identical.
The lower portion may comprise a first elongate member extending longitudinally from the lower portion. The upper portion may comprise a second elongate member extending longitudinally from the upper portion. The cutting insert receptacle may be disposed between the first and second elongate members. The disposing the cutting insert into the cutting insert receptacle of the grooving tool holder may comprise disposing the cutting insert into the cutting insert receptacle between the first and second elongate members.
In other embodiments, one or more steps of the method 260 may not be followed, may be modified in substance or order, or one or more additional steps may be added. In still other embodiments, the method 260 may further vary.
The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restricted except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202241016060 | Mar 2022 | IN | national |
