US 2020/0331074 A1 · QUICK-ADJUSTMENT FINISHING TOOL AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

This invention relates to finish machining, including a tool and the method of its use. Embodiments of this invention allow a cutting insert to be indexed quickly without loosening the insert retainer (screw or clamp) and not changing the depth-of-cut position of the tooth tip. The indexing motion is achieved by rotating a rotor, either manually or by way of a motor included on the tool. In some cases, between indexes, a small angle may be imparted to the rotor in order to adjust slightly the depth-of-cut position of the tooth tip in order to compensate for it being worn, or in other cases to precisely match the depth of cut of the tooth tips on multiple cutting teeth. The method involves setting up the path the tool will follow, then setting the feed per finishing tooth to be unconventionally large relative to the maximum depth of cut along the path. Using a round cutting insert, in particular a tangentially-mounted one or one that exhibits comparable curved edge profile, provides a large tooth-tip radius of curvature which in turn results in a good/smooth surface finish in spite of the unconventionally high feed per finishing tooth.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A device for mechanically removing material, the device comprising:

a. a body;
b. at least one cutting tooth comprising:
i. a rotor that is rotatable about an axis;
ii. at least one cutting insert having at least one cutting edge having a tooth tip;
iii. one insert retainer corresponding to a respective cutting insert whereby the respective cutting insert is affixed to the rotor;
iv. a means of holding the rotor stationary in all degrees of freedom relative to the body during a machining operation thereby locating one tooth tip at a depth-of-cut position;
and
v. a means of imparting an angle of rotation to the rotor by a specified angle between two subsequent machining operations without loosening any one of the insert retainers.

5 more elements

A method for removing a physical first surface from a workpiece and creating a physical third surface on the workpiece with a cutting tool comprising a body and at least one cutting tooth comprising:

a. a rotor that is rotatable about an axis;
b. at least one cutting insert having at least one cutting edge having a tooth tip;
c. one insert retainer corresponding to a respective cutting insert whereby the respective cutting insert is affixed to the rotor;
d. a means of holding the rotor stationary in all degrees of freedom relative to the body during a machining operation thereby locating one tooth tip at a depth-of-cut position;
and
e. a means of imparting an angle of rotation to the rotor by a specified angle between two subsequent machining operations without loosening any one of the insert retainers;
in which at least one of the cutting teeth is a finishing tooth, the method comprising, steps a through d not necessarily in the sequence described, the steps of:
a. defining a virtual second surface that encompasses in substantial equivalency in size, shape and position the third surface;
b. defining a path comprising an ordered plurality of points having a start point and an end point, in which each point is positioned on the second surface;
c. defining for each pair of adjacent points on the path a feed per finishing tooth greater than a feed-multiplier multiplied by a distance measured anywhere between the respective pair of adjacent points and normally from the second surface to the first surface;
d. installing at least one fresh cutting insert on one of the finishing teeth;
e. providing a rotating cutting motion;
f. providing a feeding motion substantially tangential to the path at a rate corresponding to the feed per finishing tooth;
g. repeating steps e through f on a plurality of workpieces;
h. imparting the specified angle of rotation to the rotor;
i. repeating steps e through h;
j. replacing the cutting insert on at least one of the finishing teeth with a fresh cutting insert;
and
k. repeating steps e through j.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Quick-adjustment finishing tool and method of use

Life of this patent

Quick-adjustment finishing tool and method of use

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20