Multiple tooth thread milling apparatus

An end plate for use in apparatus for milling threads, and having a longitudinal axis, comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface being parallel to said lower surface and lying in a plane which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said end plate including a protuberance extending from said lower surface along said longitudinal axis, said end plate further including a bore extending through said protuberance in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, a plurality of insert pockets spaced about said axis around the periphery of said end plate, each insert pocket being defined by a plurality of insert support side surfaces which extend from said upper surface to said lower surface, said pockets adapted to receive cutting inserts for milling threads.

An end plate for use in apparatus for milling threads, and having a longitudinal axis, comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface being parallel to said lower surface and lying in a plane which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said end plate including a protuberance extending from said lower surface along said longitudinal axis, a plurality of insert pockets spaced about said axis around the periphery of said end plate, each insert pocket being defined by a plurality of insert support side surfaces which extend from said upper surface to said lower surfaces, said side surfaces having a tolerance error equal to about one-half of the tolerance error of said thread being produced, said pockets adapted to receive cutting inserts for milling threads.

Apparatus for milling threads comprising a cutter spindle having a first end portion and a second end portion, said cutter spindle having a longitudinal axis extending from said first end portion to said second end portion, said second end portion having a face area and an aperture extending into said cutter spindle from said face area along said longitudinal axis, an end plate attached to said face area having a corresponding protuberance extending from said end plate along a central axis of said end plate, said end plate lying in a plane which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said protuberance extending into said aperture, said end plate having a plurality of insert pockets extending about said axis spaced around the periphery of said end plate, a plurality of cutting inserts, each cutting insert of said plurality of cutting inserts being positioned in an insert pocket of said plurality of insert pockets, means coupled to said cutting inserts for holding said cutting inserts in said pockets, and means for securing said protuberance to said second end portion of said cutter spindle.

An end plate for use in apparatus for milling threads, and having a longitudinal axis, comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface being parallel to said lower surface and lying in a plane which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said end plate including a protuberance extending from said lower surface along said longitudinal axis, a plurality of insert pockets spaced about said axis around the periphery of said end plate, each insert pocket being defined by a plurality of insert support side surfaces which extend from said upper surface to said lower surfaces, said pockets adapted to receive cutting inserts for milling threads.