Cutting insert adjustment device

A cutting tool having at least one removable cutting insert adjustment device installed therein, wherein said cutting insert adjustment device comprises:

• an adjustment screw;
• an adjustment wedge having said screw received therein, wherein a position of said wedge, relative to said cutting tool, is a function of the rotation of said screw;
• and
• a partially flexible intermediate member having first and second ends, the intermediate member being interposed between a surface of said wedge and a surface of the cutting insert, wherein said intermediate member is supported at both ends;
• wherein:
• the partially flexible intermediate member comprises a leaf spring having a centrally located leaf spring mid-section and at least one leaf extending on either side of the mid-section;
• a forward side of the adjustment wedge abuts an inner wall of the mid-section;
• and
• a portion of an insert side face of the cutting insert abuts an outer wall of the mid-section.

A method of adjusting the position of a cutting insert in a cutting tool, the method comprising:

• initially securing a cutting insert to a cutting tool;
• positioning, in the cutting tool, a leaf spring comprising a centrally located leaf spring mid-section and at least one leaf extending on either side of the mid-section;
• adjusting the position of said cutting insert by rotating an adjustment screw located in an adjustment wedge, whereby a forward side of said adjustment wedge applies an axial force on an inner wall of the mid-section and an outer wall of the centrally located mid-section transmits the force applied by said adjustment wedge in the axial direction to said cutting insert;
• and
• clamping said cutting insert.