Clamping device having independently resilient clamping fingers for clamping a cutting insert in a tool holder

A method of clamping a cutting insert (22) in a tool holder (24) by means of a clamping device (20) comprising a clamping lever (26) and an actuating member (32),

• the clamping lever (26) including a first and second limb (34, 36) extending from a central elbow (38);
• the first limb (34) having a clamping end portion (46) with at least two independently resilient clamping fingers (64, 66) separated by at least one clamping slot (68), each of the at least two independently resilient clamping fingers (64, 66) having an upper clamping zone (70, 72) and a resilience axis of rotation (R1, R2), and the at least one clamping slot (68) having at least one slot width (W1) generally parallel to the at least two resilience axes of rotation (R1, R2), and
• the second limb (36) being operatively connected to the actuating member (32),
• the method comprising the steps of:
• positioning the cutting insert (22) in an insert receiving pocket (30) of the tool holder (24) so that the first limb (34) extends through a central bore (48) of the cutting insert (22);
• and
• activating the actuating member (32) until the at least two independently resilient clamping fingers (64, 66) exert upper clamping forces (UF1, UF2) on the cutting insert (22).

A tool holder clamping lever (26) comprising:

• a central elbow (38);
• a first limb (34) extending from the central elbow (38) and comprising:
• a clamping end portion (46) provided with at least two independently resilient clamping fingers (64, 66) separated by at least one clamping slot (68),
• each clamping finger (64, 66) having a respective upper clamping zone (70, 72) and a respective resilience axis of rotation (R1, R2),
• the at least one clamping slot (68) having a width (W1) generally parallel to the at least two resilience axes of rotation (R1, R2),
• the upper clamping zones (70, 72) configured to simultaneously engage spaced apart clamping surfaces upon actuation of the tool holder clamping lever (26);
• and
• a second limb (36) extending from the central elbow (38), the second limb having an actuable surface (90) by means of which the tool holder clamping lever (26) is capable of being actuated.

A method of clamping a cutting insert (22) in a tool holder (24) by means of a clamping device (20) comprising a tool holder clamping lever (26) and an actuating member (32), the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning the cutting insert (22) in an insert receiving pocket (30) of the tool holder (24) so that a first limb (34) of the clamping lever (26) extends through a central bore (48) of the cutting insert (22);
• and
• activating the actuating member (32) such that:
• at least two independently resilient clamping fingers (64, 66) of the tool holder clamping lever (26) exert generally parallel upper clamping forces (UF1, UF2) at spaced apart clamping surfaces of the cutting insert (22), and
• a clamping mid portion (76) of the tool holder clamping lever (26) exerts a lateral force (LF1) on the cutting insert's central bore (48).