Device and method for generating microstructures in cylindrical surfaces

A method for generating microstructures in cylindrical surfaces of a work piece with a tool body rotatable about a tool axis, said tool body comprising at least two angularly spaced seats receiving cutting elements, said cutting elements having a plurality of micro cutting teeth, the method comprising:

• aligning the tool axis of said rotatable tool with an axis of said cylindrical surface, while said cutting elements are retracted towards the tool body in an inactive radial position;
• arranging the tool body at an axial position with respect to the cylindrical surface corresponding to a position where the cutting elements are to produce the microstructure on said surface;
• and
• during rotation of the tool body, radially extending said cutting elements into an active cutting position and engaging said cylindrical surface to generate said microstructures,
• wherein said cutting elements are imparted an additional axial component of movement during the radial movement thereof,
• wherein at least two different cutting elements are provided, the cutting edges of which form an acute angle with the tool axis, the acute angle of a first one of said at least two different cutting elements being oriented towards a first direction relative to the tool axis which is opposite to the orientation of the acute angle of a second one of said at least two different cutting elements, wherein the two different cutting elements are imparted an axial component of movement towards opposite axial directions while simultaneously being moved in the radial direction, and
• wherein any axial feed of the tool body upon rotation thereof while the cutting elements are in engagement with the work place is adapted to a pitch of the cutting elements such that the cutting teeth of a pair of cutting elements which are arranged at different circumferential positions of the tool body engage the same grooves of the microstructure which have been generated by a preceding cutting teeth of the respective other cutting element.

A device for generating microstructures in cylindrical surfaces, comprising:

• a tool body rotatable about a tool axis, having at least two seats for cutting elements at circumferentially spaced positions and cutting elements comprising a plurality of micro cutting teeth,
• wherein said cutting elements are arranged within said seats to be radially and axially displaceable relative to surfaces of the seat during rotation of said tool body,
• wherein said cutting elements are in the shape of elongate plates comprising cutting teeth at least along one of the longitudinal edges of said plate,
• wherein said cutting teeth comprise at least one cutting edge forming an acute angle with the tool axis, and
• wherein cutting edges of at least two different cutting elements are provided each of which cutting edges forming an acute angle with the tool axis, the acute angle of a first one of said at least two different cutting elements being oriented towards a first direction relative to the tool axis which is opposite to the orientation of the acute angle of a second one of the at least two different cutting elements.