TOOL FOR METAL CUTTING

Abstract: A tool for cutting metal machining comprises one or several cutting insert seats (1), each one for an indexable cutting insert, each insert seat comprising a bottom support surface (10) and at least two side surfaces, which form a right angle with each other. One of these side surfaces comprises two side surfaces (12, 16), which are located at different distances from the bottom support surface (10), one of these being intended as a support surface for square cutting inserts and the other as a support surface for specially shaped hexagonal inserts. In this way, one and the same insert seat can accommodate either a square or a hexagonal cutting insert, which considerably improves cutting economy.

Description: TOOL FOR METAL CUTTING The present invention relates to a tool for cutting metal machining according to the preamble of claim 1. More specifically, the invention relates to a tool that makes possible a fastening of indexable cutting inserts with different numbers of cutting edges in one and the same insert seat. The use of detachable, indexable cutting inserts is nowadays common practice for generally all cutting metal machining, i.e. for turning, milling, boring, etc. They are usually made of coated or uncoated cemented carbide, but some ceramic materials also occur. These different indexable cutting inserts may have very varying geometrical basic shapes, depending upon cutting economy and applications. They may e.g. be triangular, rhombic, square, rectangular, round, hexagonal and octagonal. Further, they may be double-sided or single-sided, depending on if cutting edges are present on both sides or only one side. Common for all possible different insert shapes is that they require an insert seat in the holder ^er se adapted to the shape ofthe insert. Thus, square inserts normally require an insert seat with two mutally perpendicular support or bearing surfaces in the insert seat, a round insert requires a round support surface, or at least segments of such a surface, an insert with the shape of a regular hexagon necessitates two support surfaces that are angled by 120° to each other (or two surfaces at a distance that are angled by 60° to each other), etc. This means that a change of insert shape also requires a change of holders. This is time-consuming and, primarily, expensive. The advantage with, e.g., a hexagonal insert in comparison with a square one, is of course that the hexagonal one has more cutting edges, more precisely for a single-sided insert, two more. Naturally, this involves a better cutting economy, since by one and the same insert, one in principle may extend the working time by 50%. However, some disadvantages with hexagonal cutting inserts is that they do not make possible the same cutting depth as for instance square inserts do (i.e., inserts with the same extension from the middle point to the operative cutting corner), and that they do not make possible 90° milling or turning. Therefore, it is desirable or necessary to sometimes replace for instance square cutting inserts, whereby also the holder has to be replaced, as mentioned above. For instance, in US-A-4 966 500 holders are disclosed for different basic shapes of cutting inserts, such as square, hexagonal and octagonal. It may easily be understood that square and octagonal inserts could be fitted into the same insert seats, since both these have cutting edges located peφendicularly to each other. However, hexagonal inserts require their own holders, which may be seen in that citation. Thus, a first object ofthe present invention is to improve the cutting economy by optimizing the number of cutting edges in one and the same holder. A second object ofthe present invention is to provide an insert seat that may accomodate both square and hexagonal inserts. Another object ofthe present invention is to provide a hexagonal insert that may fit in an insert seat for square inserts. These and further objects have been achieved in a way that is surprising for the skilled man, by constructing a cutting insert seat and a cutting insert, respectively, with the features as defined in the claims 1 and 5. For illustrative but non-limiting purposes, some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be further described with reference to the appended drawings. These are herewith briefly presented: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an insert seat according to the invention, in a perspective obliquely from above. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a somewhat modified insert seat according to the invention, in perspective obliquely from above. Figure 3 shows the same insert seat as figure 1, but with a hexagonal insert instead of a square one. Figure 4 shows the corresponding insert and insert seat as fig 3, however without a shim. Figure 5 shows the bottom side of a hexagonal insert according to the invention, in a perspective obliquely from above. Figure 6 shows the same insert seat as fig 2, but with a hexagonal insert instead of a square one. Figure 7 shows the corresponding insert and insert seat as fig 6, however without a shim. Figure 8 shows the bottom side of another embodiment of a hexagonal insert according to the invention, in a perspective obliquely from above. Figure 9 shows a milling cutter body with cutting insert seats according to the invention according to fig 1, a square and a hexagonal insert having been mounted. Figure 10 shows a milling cutter body with insert seats according to the invention according to fig 2, a square and a hexagonal insert having been mounted. In fig 1 a cutting insert seat according to the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 1. As may be seen in fig 9, this insert seat is located in a milling cutter body 2, but in principle it may also be placed in, e.g., a boring bar or a drill tip. Basically, the cutting insert seat consists of a bottom support surface 10 and two side surfaces 40 and 41, which are substantially perpendicular to each other. In this insert seat is mounted an indexable cutting insert 3, which according to fig 1 has a square basic shape. In order to protect the milling cutter body against any possible insert breakdown, the insert 3 rests upon a shim 4, which normally is also made of cemented carbide. The shim is fastened in the insert seat 1 by an internally and externally threaded shim screw 5, which is tightened into the threaded hole 6 ofthe insert seat by means of a hexagon key that fits into the hexagonal hole 7. Thereby, the bottom surface ofthe shim will bear against the bottom support surface 10 ofthe insert seat. Moreover, the shim bears against the side support surface 14; on the other hand, it usually does not reach the other, lower side surface ofthe insert seat, in this case the rounded surface 13. According to the exemplified embodiment, the surface 14 consists of a planar surface and the surface 13 of a boring with a sector-shaped cross-section. The central hole ofthe shim is formed with an abutment shoulder 8, against which the underside ofthe head ofthe shim screw 5 abuts. The locking screw 9 is threaded into the inner thread ofthe shim screw 5 and, thereby, it locks the insert 3, the bottom side ofthe insert pressing against the top surface ofthe shim. The head ofthe locking screw 9 is provided with a recess for tightening, e.g., a so called torx recess 37. When the indexable cutting insert 3 is fastened in the insert seat 1 , it will bear against the axial support or abutment surface 11 and the radial support or abutment surfaces 12A and 12B, respectively, which latter two are located in the same plane. All these are angled to the bottom surface 10 by substantially the same angle as the side or relief surfaces 52 ofthe insert are angled to the bottom surface ofthe insert. Thus, the angle between said abutment surfaces and the normal ofthe bottom support surface is between 3 and 30°. Between the cutting edges that are turned inwards and non-operative, and the surfaces above the abutment surfaces 11, 12, is a gap, so that these cutting edges are not damaged. These two gaps 42 and 43 may be seen in fig 9. In fig 3 the same insert seat is illustrated as in fig 1, but with a hexagonal insert 15 mounted instead ofthe square insert 3. Thus, the other included machine elements are identical. When this insert is fastened in the insert seat, it will abut on one hand against the axial abutment surface 11 , thus against the same surface as the square insert in fig 1 abuts against, and on the other hand against the support or abutment surfaces 16A and 16B, which are located in one and the same plane. This plane is substantially plane-parallel to the plane of abutment surfaces 12 A, 12B and located somewhat farther away from the axis ofthe center hole 6, than the latter plane. Between on one hand the surfaces 12A, 12B, and on the other hand the surfaces 16A, 16B, is provided a transition shoulder 39. The surfaces 12 A, 12B and 16 A, 16B, respectively, are separated from each other by means of a substantially straight milled-out recess 17. This recess need not per se intersect the surface 16, but nevertheless it contributes favourably to providing a statically well-defined two-point abutment radially. In order to make a cutting insert with the shape of a regular hexagon fit into the insert seat, it should be shaped so that it comprises the features as shown in fig 5. The bottom side ofthe insert has the shape of a dodecagon, and it may be brought to be regular, but preferably it is defined by altemating somewhat shorter and somewhat longer edges 19A and 19B, respectively. According to the embodiment shown in fig 5, the side surfaces 15 ofthe insert, which hence extend between the bottom surface 18 and the top surface or chip surface, are shaped in a way that will now be described further. From each part edge 19A starts a surface portion 20, which first forms a tapering portion 23, that tapers substantially in the form of a trapezoid or an isosceles frusto-triangle, into a narrower waist portion 21, and then it widens again in the direction ofthe chip surface, whereby it forms an abutment surface 22, which is intended to bear against the abutment surface 16 A, 16B. The intersection line between the abutment surface 22 and the top side ofthe insert form a main cutting edge 30. It should be pointed out that the part ofthe abutment surface 22 situated adjacent the main cutting edge 30 does suitably not come in contact with the support sufaces 16, in order not to damage said edge when it has been indexed inwardly in the insert seat. Thus, as may be seen in figure 9, the six-edge insert 15 protrudes from the upper delimiting lines ofthe insert seat (i.e., the upper delimitation line ofthe support surfaces 16). Suitably, the surface 20 is somewhat convexly curved at the waist portion 21, which may be seen left-most in fig 4. Thereby the main cutting edge 30 is strengthened on the relief side, in order to withstand larger cutting forces. If this would not be considered necessary, the knick point at the waist portion could be deleted, whereby the whole "spatulate" surface 20 is in one single plane. For small cutting forces, even an inversion ofthe waist portion would be feasible, i.e., the waist portion 21 would exhibit a concave radius, corresponding to the radii 25 described below. Between the surface portions 20, the cutting insert has intermediate portions 24, which have a hexagonal basic shape that is curved substantially along the connection line between two opposed comers. This curving forms a concave radius surface 25. That part ofthe intermediate portion 24 that adjoins a part-edge 19B constitutes an abutment surface 26, which may be brought to bear against the axial support surface 11. However, suitably, the whole abutment surface 26 is not intended to bear against the support surface 11. More specifically, the part ofthe surface 26 situated adjacent the edge 19B will not cooperate with said support surface, but rather the part located nearer the radius surface 25. The transition surface 27 protmding from the center ofthe insert constitutes a free-surface, whose width decreases from the radius surface 25 in the direction ofthe chip surface ofthe insert. Between this transition surface and the chip surface there is a parallel land 28, whose secondary land cutting edge 29 generates a smooth surface on the workpiece, in a manner known per se. In the transitional region between the appurtenant abutment surface 22 and the parallel land 28, there is preferably a transition surface 31 , which either is planar or has a radius. Further, this surface 31 is somewhat more inclined in relation to the normal ofthe bottom surface than is the abutment surface 22, in this way allowing for a sufficient clearance behind the cutting edge ofthe parallel land (axially). A characteristic, combinatory double effect ofthe present invention is realized by the existence of on one hand the recess or milled-out recess 17 in the one support surface ofthe insert seat, and on the other hand the "spatulate" surface portion 20 on the hexagonal cutting insert 15. By shaping the former sufficiently broad and the latter sufficiently narrow at the waist portion 21 , said waist portion may be fitted into and go free from the recess 17, and thus be countersunk between the support surface portions 12 A, 12B. Thereby, the feature characteristic for the present invention is achieved, that support surfaces on different levels may be used for different insert shapes. Above the axial support surface 11 there is an elongated intermediate surface 36, which is located substantially on the same height from the bottom support surface 10 as the support surfaces 16 A, 16B. This intermediate surface 36 is to be considered as a mere free-surface, without any contact to a mounted cutting insert. In fig 1 and 3 (and also in fig 2 and 6) embodiments are illustrated comprising a shim 4. However, this is not an essential feature ofthe present invention, which also comprises constructions without such a shim. Such a one is shown in fig 4. The only difference between this figure and fig 1 and 3 is that the bottom support surface 10 protrudes by a height difference corresponding to the thickness ofthe shim. This brings about the advantage per se that the material thickness in the insert-carrying protrusion 32 becomes thicker and, thereby, stronger. As may be best seen in fig 1, one or several ofthe support surfaces 11, 12 and 16 may be provided with sparing surfaces 33, 34 and 35, respectively. These are arranged so that the side edges shall not be capable of causing intrusions in the insert seat, thereby damaging it in the long run. Fig 9 shows a milling cutter body with six identical cutting insert seats, which are shaped to correspond the embodiment according to fig 1 and 3. In the figure, two ofthese are equipped, one with an indexable cutting insert of a square basic shape and one with an indexable cutting insert of a hexagonal basic shape. However, this is not a combination that is used for a real machining step, but is to be seen as a mere illustration ofthe basic concept ofthe present invention. According to the illustrated embodiments, the support surface 11 , that is common for the two insert types, is the axial support surface. However, it may easily be realized that the locations ofthe side surfaces may be converted, whereby the support surface 11 would become the radial support surface and the support surfaces 12 and 16 axial support surfaces. Fig 2 and the appurtenant fig 6, 7, 8 and 10 show an embodiment ofthe invention that is somewhat modified relative to fig 1. Corresponding details have been designated with the same reference numerals as in the corresponding fig 1, 3, 4, 5 and 9. One difference between fig 9 and 10 is that in fig 10 only one cutting-edge-protecting gap (gap 42) exists, which is located between one ofthe non-active cutting edges ofthe insert, being directed inwardly, and the surface above the abutment surfaces 12. In fig 6 is illustrated the same insert seat as in fig 2, but with a hexagonal cutting insert 15' mounted, instead ofthe square insert 3. Thus, the other included machine elements are identical. When this cutting insert is fastened in the insert seat, it will bear on one hand against the axial abutment surface 43, and on the other hand against the support or abutment surface 16. The plane ofthe surface 16 may be substantially plane-parallel with the planes ofthe abutment surfaces 12 A, 12B and located somewhat farther from the axis ofthe center hole 6, than the latter plane. The angle ofthe plane 16 to the normal ofthe bottom surface 10 can be somewhat smaller than the angle ofthe corresponding abutment surface 22 on the insert, which in principle permits a linear abutment between the cutting insert and the upper delimitation line ofthe abutment surface 16. The level of said delimitation is determined by the formation ofthe milled-out free-surface 49. In order to make a cutting insert of a regular hexagonal shape fit into this insert seat, it shall be formed so that it comprises the features as depicted in fig 5 or 8. The cutting insert according to fig 5 has already been described above. However, by the somewhat modified insert seat according to fig 2, it will rest in a somewhat different way, as described below. In combination with fig 2, the surfaces 22 are intended to abut on one hand against the abutment surface 16 (or against its upper delimitation line) and on the other hand against the abutment surface 43, which are angled substantially by 120° to each other. As mentioned above, the part ofthe abutment surface 22 located adjacent the main cutting edge 30 should not come in contact with the support surface 16, in order not to damage said cutting edge when it has been indexed inwardly into the insert seat. Ofthe same reason, there is preferably a free-surface 44 above the abutment surface 43. However, the surface 44 is not necessary, cf. fig 7. According to fig 1, that part ofthe intermediate portion 24 that adjoins a part-edge 19B constitutes an abutment surface 26, which is brought to abut against the same axial abutment surface as the square cutting insert. Admittedly, this brings the inconvenience that the insert has to be ground considerably, since abutment surfaces usually have to be ground. According to fig 2, only the circumferential, cutting-edge- adjacent surfaces 22 function as abutment surfaces, which makes the insert considerably more easily ground. The cutting insert according to fig 8, whose bottom surface has the shape of a substantially regular hexagon with rounded comers, is described below. According to fig 8, the spatulate surface 20 has been replaced by an abutment surface 22', a transition surface or free-surface 50 that is angled inwardly towards the center ofthe insert, and a free-surface 23' extending between surface 50 and the bottom surface ofthe insert. The bottom surface 18' has the shape ofa regular hexagon with rounded comers. Between two adjacent free-surfaces 23', there are provided rounded radius surfaces 51, which in principle replace the intermediate portions 24 in fig 5. The parallel lands 28' and the transition surfaces 31 ' correspond to details 28 and 31 , respectively, in fig 5. According to this embodiment, the transition surfaces 50 are considerably angled towards the center ofthe insert, so that they, and also the free- surfaces 23', do not come in contact with the facing surfaces in the insert seat, in first hand the surfaces 12 and 14, and 11, 15 and 46, respectively. Also this embodiment has the endeavoured feature, that all side abutment surfaces ofthe insert (i.e., the surfaces 22') are located at the top, along the cutting edges, which makes the cutting insert easy to grind. Between the axial support surface 11 for square inserts and the round surface 13, there is a free-surface 45. At the opposed side ofthe support surface 11, there is arranged a transition surface 46. which is substantially plane-parallel with the bottom supports surface 10. Between this one and the support surface 43 for hexagonal inserts, extends another transition surface 47, which forms an obtuse angle relative to both surfaces 43 and 46. Adjacent to the surfaces 43, 44 and at the same distance as those from the bottom support surface 10, there is a free-surface 48. As may be easily understood, the hexagonal insert according to fig 8 and the insert seat are mutually so shaped, that the insert goes free from all surfaces below the support surface 43, i.e. surfaces 13, 45, 11, 46 and 47, and of course also from the laterally arranged surface 48. Furthermore, according to the illustrated embodiments the indexable cutting inserts have been provided with a through central hole 38 for the fastening by a locking screw. However, this has nothing to do with the ingenious location ofthe support surfaces in the insert seat, wherefore also other clamping arrangements are feasible, such as a center pin or a lever pin, and also such constmctions that do not require any central hole in the insert, e.g. a wedge or a pressing clamp.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Tool for cutting metal machining comprising one or several cutting insert seats (1) for the accomodation of indexable cutting inserts, each insert seat comprising a bottom support surface (10) and at least two side surfaces, which form a substantially right angle with each other and which both comprise support surfaces (11, 12, 16) intended to bear against the insert mounted in the insert seat, characterized in that one of the side surfaces comprises at least two support surfaces (12, 16), which are located at different distances from the plane ofthe bottom support surface (10), one (12) ofthese two support surfaces being intended as a support surface for cutting inserts ofa substantially square basic shape (3) and the other (16) ofthese support surfaces being intended as a support surface for cutting inserts of a substantially hexagonal basic shape. 2. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the other side surface has at least one support surface (11) which is intended as a support surface for both cutting inserts of a substantially square basic shape and inserts of a substantially hexagonal basic shape. 3. Tool for cutting metal machining comprising one or several cutting insert seats (1) for the accomodation of indexable cutting inserts, each insert seat comprising a bottom support surface (10) and at least two side surfaces which form a substantially right angle with each other and which both comprise support surfaces (11, 12, 16, 43) intended to bear against the insert mounted in the insert seat, characterized in that both side surfaces (40, 41) comprise at least two side surfaces (12, 16; 11, 43) which are located at different distances from the plane ofthe bottom support surface (10), one (11, 12) ofthese two support surfaces being intended as a support suiface for cutting inserts of a substantially square basic shape (3) and the other ofthese support surfaces (16, 43) being intended as a support surface for inserts ofa substantially hexagonal basic shape. 4. Tool according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, characterized in that at least the support surface (12) for the insert of a substantially square basic shape is divided into two part support surfaces (12A, 12B) by a recess or a milled-out recess (17), which possibly also divides the support surface (16) for inserts ofa substantially hexagonal basic shape into two part support surfaces (16A, 16B). 5. Tool according to any of claims 1 -4, characterized in that the support surfaces (12, 16) on one ofthe side surfaces are mainly plane-parallel, the support surface or surfaces (16, 16 A, 16B) for the insert of substantially hexagonal basic shape being located at a somewhat larger distance from the middle point ofthe bottom support surface than the support surface or surfaces (12A, 12B) for the insert ofa substantially square basic shape. 6. Indexable cutting insert of a substantially hexagonal basic shape for cutting metal machining comprising a bottom suiface, a top or chip surface and a configuration of side surfaces extending therebetween, characterized in that the configuration of side surfaces comprises at least six first abutment surfaces (22), each one located adjacent or in the proximity of an appurtenant main cutting edge (30), and at least six other abutment surfaces (26), which are located adjacent or in the proximity ofthe intersection line ofthe configuration of side surfaces with the bottom surface. 7. Indexable cutting insert according to claim 6, characterized in that each one ofthe at least six first abutment surfaces (22) constitutes a part ofa corresponding first surface portion (20) and in that each one ofthe second abutment surfaces (26) constitutes a part ofa corresponding second intermediate surface portion (24), each intermediate surface portion (24) being located between two first surface portions (20). 8. Indexable cutting insert according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that there is a parallel land (28) between two first abutment surfaces (22) and an intermediate surface portion (24). 9. Indexable cutting insert of a substantially hexagonal basic shape for cutting metal machining comprising a bottom surface, a top or chip surface and a configuration of side surfaces extending therebetween, characterized in that ihe, configuration of side surfaces comprises at least six abutment surfaces (22, 22'), each one located adjacent or in the proximity of an appurtenant main cutting edge (30, 30'), and at least six other surfaces (23, 23', 26) which are unground and located adjacent or in the proximity ofthe intersection line ofthe configuration of side surfaces with the bottom surface. 10. Indexable cutting insert according to claim 9, characterized in that undemeath each abutment surface (22') is located a transition surface (50), which is angled downwards-inwards towards the center ofthe insert, below said transition surface there being located a free-surface (23') that extends to the bottom surface (18') of the cutting insert. 11. Indexable cutting insert according to claim 9, characterized in that each one ofthe at least six abutment surfaces (22) constitutes a part of an appurtenant first surface portion (20), and that each one ofthe other surfaces (26) constitutes a part of an appurtenant second intermediate surface portion (24), each intermediate surface portion (24) being located between two first surface portions (20). 12. Indexable cutting insert according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the intersection line between the bottom surface (18') and the configuration of side surfaces describes a substantially regular hexagon with rounded comers. 13. Indexable cutting insert according to any of claims 9-12, characterized in that between two abutment surfaces (22) there is a parallel land (28, 28'). 14. Indexable cutting insert according to claim 6, 7, 9 or 11, characterized in that the intersection line (19A, 19B) between the bottom surface and the configuration of side surfaces describes a regular or irregular dodecagon. 15. Indexable cutting insert according to any of claims 6-9, 11, 13 or 14, characterized in that the first surface portions (20) comprise a waist portion (21) that preferably has a convex radius, and that an intermediate surface portion (24) has a concave radius (25). 16. Indexable cutting insert according to claim 9, 11 or 13-15, characterized in that the intermediate surface portion (24) has a substantially hexagonal basic shape, said concave radius (25) extending between two opposed comers of said hexagonal basic shape.

Inventors: HELLSTROEM LARS, KEMPER ERWIN, PANTZAR GOERAN, ROMAN STEFAN, SCHERBARTH STEFAN, HELLSTROEM, LARS, KEMPER, ERWIN, PANTZAR, GOERAN, ROMAN, STEFAN, SCHERBARTH, STEFAN
Applicants: HELLSTROEM LARS, KEMPER ERWIN, PANTZAR GOERAN, ROMAN STEFAN, SANDVIK AB, SCHERBARTH STEFAN, HELLSTROEM, LARS, KEMPER, ERWIN, PANTZAR, GOERAN, ROMAN, STEFAN, SANDVIK AKTIEBOLAG, SCHERBARTH, STEFAN
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B23C5
IPC codes: B23B29, B23C5, B23D61