Tool holder dampening system

A spindle for securing a tool holder to a cutting machine, the spindle comprising:

• a complimentary recess sized and configured to receive a shank portion of the tool holder;
• an end surface defining an annular groove;
• and
• a dampening member disposed within the annular groove between the end surface of the spindle and the top surface of the tool holder, the dampening member being compressible between the flange portion and the spindle when the tool holder is secured to the spindle, and sized and configured to exert a biasing force against the tool holder and the spindle when compressed which is operative to dampen a harmonic resonance attributable to use of the tool holder with a cutting tool.

A tool holder system for a cutting machine, the tool holder system comprising:

• a spindle having a recess and a distal end surface, the distal end surface defining an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion, the inner peripheral portion being offset from the outer peripheral portion;
• a tool holder comprising:
• a shank portion defining a rotating axis;
• a cutting tool mounting portion axially aligned to the rotating axis;
• and
• a flange portion disposed between the shank and cutting tool mounting portions, the flange portion defining a generally planar top surface with a continuous channel circumventing the shank portion;
• and
• a first dampening member disposed within the continuous channel of the flange portion, the first dampening member being compressible between the flange portion of the tool holder and the end surface of the spindle when the shank portion of the tool holder is inserted into the recess of the spindle, and sized and configured to exert a biasing force against the tool holder and the spindle when compressed which is operative to dampen a harmonic resonance attributable to use of the tool holder with a cutting tool.

A tool holder for holding a tool, the tool holder being attachable to a spindle, the tool holder comprising:

• a sleeve defining a tapered outer surface sized and configured to engage the spindle and a cylindrical inner surface defining an inner diameter;
• a shank portion having a mating cylindrical outer surface mateable to the cylindrical inner surface of the sleeve, the cylindrical outer surface defining an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the cylindrical inner surface of the sleeve such that the sleeve is shrink fittable onto the shank portion;
• and
• a distal section attached to the shank portion for holding the tool.

A tool holder system comprising:

• a tabbed spindle defining an outer diameter and having a recess defining an inner diameter, the spindle having a removeable tab disposed on a distal end surface of the spindle, the tab being removeably attachable to the distal end surface via threads on the tab and a threaded aperture formed in the distal end surface of the spindle;
• a spindle adapter for adapting the tabbed spindle to have a dampening member, the spindle adapter comprising:
• an annular main body defining an inner diameter and an outer periphery, the inner diameter being greater than the inner diameter of the recess of the spindle for permitting insertion of a shank portion of a tool holder into the complimentary recess of the spindle, the outer periphery being sufficiently large so as to cover the threaded aperture formed on the distal end surface of the spindle;
• a sidewall circumscribing the annular main body so as to form a cylinder, the sidewall defining an inner surface attachable to the spindle.

A tool holder for holding a tool, the tool holder comprising:

• a sleeve portion sized and configured to engage a spindle, the sleeve portion defining a tapered outer surface sized and configured to engage an inner surface of a recess of a spindle;
• a shank portion attached to the sleeve portion;
• a flange portion generally disposed adjacent to the shank portion;
• a mounting portion for engaging the tool, the mounting portion defining an upper section disposed adjacent to the flange portion and a lower section having an aperture sized and configured to receive a shank portion of the tool;
• wherein at least one of the following portions or sections selected from a group consisting of sleeve portion, shank portion, flange portion, mounting portion, upper section and lower section is fabricated from a heavy metal for mitigating harmonic resonance.