Device and method for adjusting the position of cutting inserts mounted in a cutting tool

A device for adjusting the position of a cutting insert relative to a body of a cutting tool, comprising:

• a mounting assembly including a pocket in said tool body having a lower support surface and a side support surface for receiving and securing said insert;
• a cantilevered wall integrally connected at least in part to said tool body, said cantilevered wall defined by a lower slot, an upper slot, a side slot and a chip gullet, said cantilevered wall separated from said side support surface by the side slot and terminating at said side slot and said chip gullet, said cantilevered wall extending radially outwardly from said tool body and upwardly above said upper slot to the lower support surface and defining a portion of said pocket for supporting a side of said insert;
• and
• means for elastically flexing said cantilevered wall to adjust a position of a cutting edge of the insert mounted onto said tool body by said mounting assembly.

A method for adjusting the position of a cutting insert relative to a body of a cutting tool, wherein said tool has a mounting assembly including a pocket having walls for receiving and securing the insert to said tool body, comprising the steps of:

• providing an insert-receiving pocket in said tool body such that a portion of said pocket wall is defined by a cantilevered wall integrally connected at least in part to said tool body, said cantilevered wall defined by a lower slot, an upper slot, a side slot and a chip gullet, said cantilevered wall separated from said side support surface by the side slot and terminating at said side slot and said chip gullet, said cantilevered wall extending radially outwardly from said tool body and upwardly above said upper slot to the lower support surface for supporting a side of said insert;
• providing a means for elastically flexing said cantilevered wall;
• securing the cutting insert into said pocket of said mounting assembly;
• and
• flexing said cantilevered wall with said flexing means to adjust a position of a cutting edge of said insert.