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US 6,443,673 B1Granted
Tunable boring bar for suppressing vibrations and method thereof
AssigneesKennametal Inc., Design & Manufacturing Solutions, Inc.
InventorsScott A. Etling, Elliot L. Stern
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tunable toolholder with a dynamic vibration absorber is disclosed wherein an absorber mass is compressed between two elastomer supports utilizing at least one longitudinally movable pressure plate to dynamically tune the toolholder.
Claims29
A method for tuning a toolholder having a diameter D, wherein the toolholder may be supported on a metalworking machine at different lengths along the tool to define different length to diameter ratios, wherein the toolholder has
- i) a shank having a longitudinal axis, wherein a central cavity extends within the shank along the axis and wherein the central cavity defines a cavity wall,
- iii) a toolholder head adapted to receive a cutting tool and attached to the shank at a tool end of the shank,
- iii) a tunable absorber having an absorber mass inserted within the central cavity, wherein the mass has a first end, a second end and an elastomer support circumscribing each end,
- iv) a pressure plate at each end of the absorber mass adjacent each elastomer support, wherein at least one pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to compress the elastomer supports against the absorber mass, wherein the method is comprised of the steps of:
- a) positioning the at least one movable pressure plate to a reference location in which the compression of each elastomer support is known;
- b) supporting the shank on the metalworking machine at a first length L1 from the end of the shank to define a first length to diameter ratio;
- and
- c) moving the pressure plate from the reference location to a predefined first tuned location to adjust the compression upon each elastomer support thereby minimizing vibration for the tool supported at the first length to diameter ratio, wherein a pin extends radially outwardly from the pressure plate through a slot in the cavity wall of the shank and the longitudinal location of the pressure plate may be visually determined by looking at the position of the pin, wherein the amount of compression of the pressure plate upon the elastomer supports is determined by the longitudinal location of the pressure plate.
5 more elements
A tunable toolholder having an outside diameter D and supported on a metalworking machine at different lengths L along the tool length to define different length to diameter ratios, wherein the toolholder has
- i) a shank having a longitudinal axis, wherein a central cavity extends within the shank along the axis and wherein the central cavity defines a cavity wall;
- ii) a toolholder head adapted to receive a cutting tool and attached to the toolholder at a tool end;
- iii) a tunable absorber having an absorber mass inserted within the central cavity, wherein the mass has a first end, a second end and an elastomer support circumscribing each end of the shank;
- iv) a pressure plate at each end of the absorber mass adjacent each elastomer support, wherein at least one pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to compress the elastomer supports against the absorber mass;
- v) a positioning element for displacing the movable plate from one location to another along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- vi) tuning indicia for indicating the position along the longitudinal axis of the at least one movable pressure plate, wherein each elastomer is made of a Durometer A Scale 50 material.
4 more elements
A tunable toolholder having an outside diameter D and supported on a metalworking machine at different lengths L along the tool length to define different length to diameter ratios, wherein the toolholder has
- i) a shank having a longitudinal axis, wherein a central cavity extends within the shank along the axis and wherein the central cavity defines a cavity wall;
- ii) a toolholder head adapted to receive a cutting tool and attached to the toolholder at a tool end;
- iii) a tunable absorber having an absorber mass inserted within the central cavity, wherein the mass has a first end, a second end and an elastomer support circumscribing each end of the shank;
- iv) a pressure plate at each end of the absorber mass adjacent each elastomer support, wherein at least one pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to compress the elastomer supports against the absorber mass;
- v) a positioning element for displacing the movable plate from one location to another along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- vi) tuning indicia for indicating the position along the longitudinal axis of the at least one movable pressure plate, further including a locking pin extending through the cavity wall to engage and secure the at least one movable pressure plate in a position.
4 more elements
A method for tuning a toolholder having a diameter D, wherein the toolholder may be supported on a metalworking machine at different lengths along the tool to define different length to diameter ratios, wherein the toolholder has
- i) a shank having a longitudinal axis, wherein a central cavity extends within the shank along the axis and wherein the central cavity defines a cavity wall,
- ii) a toolholder head adapted to receive a cutting tool and attached to the shank at a tool end of the shank,
- iii) a tunable absorber having an absorbed mass inserted within the central cavity, wherein the mass has a first end, a second end and an elastomer support circumscribing each end,
- iv) a pressure plate at each end of the absorber mass adjacent each elastomer support, wherein at least one pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to compress the elastomer supports against the absorber mass, wherein the method is comprised of the steps of:
- a) positioning the at least one movable pressure plate to a reference location in which the compression of each elastomer support is known;
- b) supporting the shank on the metalworking machine at a first length L1 from the end of the shank to define a first length to diameter ratio;
- and
- c) moving the pressure plate from the reference location to a predefined first tuned location to adjust the compression upon each elastomer support thereby minimizing vibration for the tool supported at the first length to diameter ratio, wherein the adjusting screw has a head with radial markings placed upon which indicate the longitudinal location of the pressure plate and wherein an adjusting screw is turned a predetermined amount based upon these marks to move the pressure plate to a desired location, wherein the plate is moved by an adjusting screw threaded within and extending from an outer surface of the shank through the cavity wall to the pressure plate.
5 more elements
A method for tuning a toolholder having a diameter D, wherein the toolholder may be supported on a metalworking machine at different lengths along the tool to define different length to diameter ratios, wherein the toolholder has
- i) a shank having a longitudinal axis, wherein a central cavity extends within the shank along the axis and wherein the central cavity defines a cavity wall,
- ii) a toolholder head adapted to receive a cutting tool and attached to the shank at a tool end of the shank,
- iii) a tunable absorber having an absorber mass inserted within the central cavity, wherein the mass has a first end, a second end and an elastomer support circumscribing each end,
- iv) a pressure plate at each end of the absorber mass adjacent each elastomer support, wherein at least one pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to compress the elastomer supports against the absorber mass, wherein the method is comprised of the steps of:
- a) positioning the at least one movable pressure plate to a reference location in which the compression of each elastomer support is known;
- b) supporting the shank on the metalworking machine at a first length L1 from the end of the shank to define a first length to diameter ratio;
- and
- c) moving the pressure plate from the reference location to a predefined first tuned location to adjust the compression upon each elastomer support thereby minimizing vibration for the tool supported at the first length to diameter ratio;
- wherein the pressure plate is positioned using a hydraulic piston.
6 more elements
A method for tuning a toolholder having a diameter D, wherein the toolholder may be supported on a metalworking machine at different lengths along the tool to define different length to diameter ratios, wherein the toolholder has
- i) a shank having a longitudinal axis, wherein a central cavity extends within the shank along the axis and wherein the central cavity defines a cavity wall,
- ii) a toolholder head adapted to receive a cutting tool and attached to the shank at a tool end of the shank,
- iii) a tunable absorber having an absorber mass inserted within the central cavity, wherein the mass has a first end, a second end and an elastomer support circumscribing each end,
- iv) a pressure plate at each end of the absorber mass adjacent each elastomer support, wherein at least one pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to compress the elastomer supports against the absorber mass, wherein the method is comprised of the steps of:
- a) positioning the at least one movable pressure plate to a reference location in which the compression of each elastomer support is known;
- b) supporting the shank on the metalworking machine at a first length L1 from the end of the shank to define a first length to diameter ratio;
- and
- c) moving the pressure plate from the reference location to a predefined first tuned location to adjust the compression upon each elastomer support thereby minimizing vibration for the tool supported at the first length to diameter ratio, wherein after the pressure plate has been positioned in a desired location, the pressure plate is locked at that location.
5 more elements
A method for tuning a toolholder having a diameter D, wherein the toolholder may be supported on a metalworking machine at different lengths along the tool to define different length to diameter ratios, wherein the toolholder has
- i) a shank having a longitudinal axis, wherein a central cavity extends within the shank along the axis and wherein the central cavity defines a cavity wall,
- ii) a toolholder head adapted to receive a cutting tool and attached to the shank at a tool end of the shank,
- iii) a tunable absorber having an absorber mass inserted within the central cavity, wherein the mass has a first end, a second end and an elastomer support circumscribing each end,
- iv) a pressure plate at each end of the absorber mass adjacent each elastomer support, wherein at least one pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to compress the elastomer supports against the absorber mass, wherein the method is comprised of the steps of:
- a) positioning the at least one movable pressure plate to a reference location in which the compression of each elastomer support is known;
- b) supporting the shank on the metalworking machine at a first length L1 from the end of the shank to define a first length to diameter ratio;
- and
- c) moving the pressure plate from the reference location to a predefined first tuned location to adjust the compression upon each elastomer support thereby minimizing vibration for the tool supported at the first length to diameter ratio, further including the step of resiliently supporting the absorber mass when the toolholder is used in a vertical orientation.
5 more elements
A method for tuning a toolholder having a diameter D, wherein the toolholder may be supported on a metalworking machine at different lengths along the tool to define different length to diameter ratios, wherein the toolholder has
- i) a shank having a longitudinal axis, wherein a central cavity extends within the shank along the axis and wherein the central cavity defines a cavity wall,
- ii) a toolholder head adapted to receive a cutting tool and attached to the shank at a tool end of the shank,
- iii) a tunable absorber having an absorber mass inserted within the central cavity, wherein the mass has a first end, a second end and an elastomer support circumscribing each end,
- iv) a pressure plate at each end of the absorber mass adjacent each elastomer support, wherein at least one pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to compress the elastomer supports against the absorber mass, wherein the method is comprised of the steps of:
- a) positioning the at least one movable pressure plate to a reference location in which the compression of each elastomer support is known;
- b) supporting the shank on the metalworking machine at a first length L1 from the end of the shank to define a first length to diameter ratio;
- and
- c) moving the pressure plate from the reference location to a predefined first tuned location to adjust the compression upon each elastomer support thereby minimizing vibration for the tool supported at the first length to diameter ratio, wherein the step of positioning the at least one movable pressure plate to a reference location in which the compression of each elastomer support is known is comprised of monitoring the force the pressure plate applies to the elastomer supports and positioning the pressure plate to a desired location based upon this force.
5 more elements
A tunable toolholder having an outside diameter D and supported on a metalworking machine at different lengths L along the tool length to define different length to diameter ratios, wherein the toolholder has
- i) a shank having a longitudinal axis, wherein a central cavity extends within the shank along the axis and wherein the central cavity defines a cavity wall;
- ii) a toolholder head adapted to receive a cutting tool and attached to the toolholder at a tool end;
- iii) a tunable absorber having an absorber mass inserted within the central cavity, wherein the mass has a first end, a second end and an elastomer support circumscribing each end of the shank;
- iv) a pressure plate at each end of the absorber mass adjacent each elastomer support, wherein at least one pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to compress the elastomer supports against the absorber mass;
- v) a positioning element for displacing the movable plate from one location to another along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- vi) tuning indicia for indicating the position along the longitudinal axis of the at least one movable pressure plate, wherein the reference location is defined by a physical stop within the shank cavity upon which the at least one movable pressure plate rests.
4 more elements
A tunable toolholder having an outside diameter D and supported on a metalworking machine at different lengths L along the tool length to define different length to diameter ratios, wherein the toolholder has
- i) a shank having a longitudinal axis, wherein a central cavity extends within the shank along the axis and wherein the central cavity defines a cavity wall;
- ii) a toolholder head adapted to receive a cutting tool and attached to the toolholder at a tool end;
- iii) a tunable absorber having an absorber mass inserted within the central cavity, wherein the mass has a first end, a second end and an elastomer support circumscribing each end of the shank;
- iv) a pressure plate at each end of the absorber mass adjacent each elastomer support, wherein at least one pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to compress the elastomer supports against the absorber mass;
- v) a positioning element for displacing the movable plate from one location to another along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- vi) tuning indicia for indicating the position along the longitudinal axis of the at least one movable pressure plate, wherein the positioning element is an adjusting screw extending through the cavity wall, contacting the pressure plate and oriented to displace the pressure plate along the longitudinal axis, wherein the tuning indicia is comprised of a head on the adjusting screw with at least one calibration line which may be aligned with at least one mating calibration line on an external surface of the shank indicating at least one position in which the toolholder will be tuned for at least one length to diameter ratio.
4 more elements
A tunable toolholder having an outside diameter D and supported on a metalworking machine at different lengths L along the tool length to define different length to diameter ratios, wherein the toolholder has
- i) a shank having a longitudinal axis, wherein a central cavity extends within the shank along the axis and wherein the central cavity defines a cavity wall;
- ii) a toolholder head adapted to receive a cutting tool and attached to the toolholder at a tool end;
- iii) a tunable absorber having an absorber mass inserted within the central cavity, wherein the mass has a first end, a second end and an elastomer support circumscribing each end of the shank;
- iv) a pressure plate at each end of the absorber mass adjacent each elastomer support, wherein at least one pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to compress the elastomer supports against the absorber mass;
- v) a positioning element for displacing the movable plate from one location to another along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- vi) tuning indicia for indicating the position along the longitudinal axis of the at least one movable pressure plate, wherein the positioning element is comprised of a rack and pinion arrangement.
4 more elements
A tunable toolholder having an outside diameter D and supported on a metalworking machine at different lengths L along the tool length to define different length to diameter ratios, wherein the toolholder has
- i) a shank having a longitudinal axis, wherein a central cavity extends within the shank along the axis and wherein the central cavity defines a cavity wall;
- ii) a toolholder head adapted to receive a cutting tool and attached to the toolholder at a tool end;
- iii) a tunable absorber having an absorber mass inserted within the central cavity, wherein the mass has a first end, a second end and an elastomer support circumscribing each end of the shank;
- iv) a pressure plate at each end of the absorber mass adjacent each elastomer support, wherein at least one pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to compress the elastomer supports against the absorber mass;
- v) a positioning element for displacing the movable plate from one location to another along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- vi) tuning indicia for indicating the position along the longitudinal axis of the at least one movable pressure plate, wherein the tuning indicia is comprised of a pin attached to the movable pressure plate and extends through a slot in the cavity wall to reveal the position of the pressure plate along the longitudinal axis and the compression of the pressure plates.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.