Cutting insert having patterned hard bottom surface for forming an indented seat on a tool holder

A method for seating a cutting insert in a tool holder, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a tool holder initially having a substantially smooth, planar pocket base wall;
• (b) providing a single-sided cutting insert having an upper surface, a lower surface, side relief flank surfaces and a cutting corner defined therebetween, said cutting insert being formed of a material substantially harder than said pocket base wall, said lower surface being provided with a patterned region of protrusions localized adjacent said cutting corner, said patterned region of protrusions being at least partially bounded by a substantially non-patterned recessed area;
• (c) clamping the cutting insert atop the substantially smooth, planar pocket base wall such that said patterned region of protrusions is proximate to an operative cutting corner of the cutting insert, when said cutting insert is clamped in said tool holder;
• and
• (d) applying a downward force on said cutting insert sufficient to cause said patterned region of protrusions to penetrate the substantially smooth, planar pocket base wall and form an indented seating surface in at least a region of the pocket base wall supporting said operative cutting corner.