Patent ID: 6536313
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: B23B,B23C,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for making a cutting insert useful for milling an outer surface of a workpiece with a rotary cutter, the outer surface being characterized by a desired contour including a first surface portion having a minimum radius relative to a reference axis and a second portion having a maximum radius relative to the reference axis, the method comprising:selecting a first reference plane intersecting both the reference axis and the outer surface; obtaining a first profile of the desired contour of the outer surface as the intersection of the outer surface with the first reference plane; translating the first profile within the first reference plane in a direction normal to the reference axis such that the first profile is no less than a minimum distance away from the reference axis, the minimum distance being greater than the maximum radius; rotating the translated first profile about the reference axis to generate a reference contour; selecting a second reference plane disposed at a predetermined helix angle relative to the reference axis and intersecting the reference contour; obtaining a second profile of the reference contour as the intersection of the reference contour with the second reference plane; and forming a cutting edge of the insert based at least in part on the second profile.