Patent Description:
Within the field of cutting tools used in milling operations, there are some examples of a cutting body having at least one abutment element on a seat surface of an insert receiving pocket.

<CIT> discloses a milling cutter for performing plunge and face cutting operations on a workpiece with cutting inserts having different side and transverse cutting edges. A cutter body has a plurality of recessed insert seats for securably receiving the inserts, including a top shoulder spaced apart from the transverse cutting edges of the inserts for allowing the insert seat to receive inserts having transverse edges of different shapes, and a support structure for preventing relative movement between the cutting inserts and their respective seats along the side and transverse insert edges. In the preferred embodiment, the support structure includes a rail-like projection extending out of the back face of the cutting inserts that is substantially parallel to the side cutting edges of the insert, and a complementarily-shaped slot in the bottom wall of the seat, in combination with a shoulder formed in the insert seat near but spaced apart from the top shoulder of the seat, and a complementary recess in the insert substantially parallel to its transverse cutting edges.

<CIT> discloses a milling tool having an insert holder provided with an insert receiving pocket and at least one cutting insert mounted therein. The insert receiving pocket has a longitudinally extending inner wall, a rear wall adjacent the inner wall and a lower wall adjacent the inner wall and the rear wall. A front end of the lower wall protrudes forwardly with respect to a central portion of the insert holder. A front protrusion rises upwardly from the lower wall and extends inwardly and rearwardly from a periphery of the insert holder. The front protrusion has a front surface perpendicular to the lower wall. A groove formed in the bottom surface of the cutting insert has a distal side wall perpendicular to the bottom surface. When assembled, a radial abutment surface of the cutting insert abuts a radial abutment surface of the insert receiving pocket, the front surface of the front protrusion abuts the front distal side wall of the groove and a rear portion of the one cutting insert is spaced from the rear wall of the insert receiving pocket.

A rotary cutting body as per the preamble of claim <NUM> and a rotary cutting tool as per the preamble of claim <NUM> are known from <CIT>. A milling insert as per the preamble of claim <NUM> is known from <CIT>.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved rotary cutting body.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved rotary cutting tool, having a cutting insert removably secured in the cutting body with a high level of stability.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved rotary cutting tool, particularly suitable for ramp down milling operations and high speed milling operations.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a rotary cutting body according to claim <NUM>.

Also, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a rotary cutting tool according to claim <NUM> and a milling insert according to claim <NUM>.

For a better understanding, the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which chain-dash lines represent cut-off boundaries for partial views of a member and in which:.

As shown in <FIG>, one aspect of the present invention relates to a rotary cutting body <NUM> rotatable in a direction of rotation R about a tool axis AT, and having at least one insert receiving pocket <NUM> at an axial forward end <NUM> thereof.

The insert receiving pocket <NUM> has a seat surface <NUM> facing in the direction of rotation R, a radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM> transverse to the seat surface <NUM>, and a plurality of male and/or female abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b associated with the seat surface <NUM>. The radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM> has an upper wall edge <NUM> spaced apart from the seat surface <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that use of the term "associated with", throughout the description and claims, with respect to the plurality of male and/or female abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b and the seat surface <NUM>, covers the possibility of the plurality of male abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b being disposed on (i.e., protruding from) the seat surface <NUM> and also the possibility of the plurality of female abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b being disposed in (i.e., recessed into) the seat surface <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the insert receiving pocket <NUM> may have an axially forward facing pocket wall <NUM> transverse to the seat surface <NUM> and spaced apart from the radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM>.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the axially forward facing pocket wall <NUM> may be entirely located axially rearward of the plurality of male and/or female abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b.

Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the rotary cutting body <NUM> may be cylindrical shaped, having a circumferential wall <NUM> extending in an axial rearward direction DR from the axial forward end <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the seat surface <NUM> includes a threaded bore <NUM> having a bore axis A1.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the seat surface <NUM> may be planar.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, the bore axis A1 may be perpendicular to the seat surface <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the plurality of abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b include an axial abutment element <NUM> having an axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> and at least one radial abutment element 32a, 32b having a radially inward facing abutment surface 42a, 42b.

In the body according to the present invention, the plurality of abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b is elongated, wherein the axial abutment element <NUM> is transverse to the at least one radial abutment element 32a, 32b.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b may be male-type elements, for example, in the form of ribs or ridges.

Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b may include two spaced apart radial abutment elements 32a, 32b, a forward radial abutment element 32a and a rearward radial abutment element 32b. Each radial abutment element 32a, 32b may have a respective forward or rearward radially inward facing abutment surface 42a, 42b.

Yet further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> may intersect the circumferential wall <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that in some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b may only include a single axial abutment element <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in addition to the plurality of abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b, the seat surface <NUM> may include a knob <NUM> protruding therefrom. The knob <NUM> is spaced apart from all of the plurality of abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the knob <NUM> may be contiguous with the circumferential wall <NUM>.

According to the present invention, in a top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>:
an axial abutment edge <NUM> of the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> forms an external acute clamping angle α with a first plane P1 tangential to the wall edge <NUM> of the radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM> and intersecting the axial forward end <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present invention, in the top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, the axial abutment edge <NUM> may extend linearly along the axial abutment element <NUM>.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, in the top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, the wall edge <NUM> may be linear, and the first plane P1 may contain the wall edge <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that in some embodiments of the present invention, the top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM> may be taken perpendicular to the seat surface <NUM>, and the first plane P1 may be perpendicular to the seat surface <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the clamping angle α may be at least <NUM> degrees and at most <NUM> degrees.

It should be appreciated that use of the term "external angle" throughout the description and claims refers to an angle between two surface components as measured external to the member on which these components are formed.

In the body according to the present invention, in the top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the bore axis A1 is located in the area of the seat surface <NUM> subtended by the clamping angle α.

It should be appreciated that for other embodiments of the present invention in which the bore axis A1 may not be perpendicular to the seat surface <NUM> (not shown), in the top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, the bore axis A1 may be considered to be located at the point of intersection of the bore axis A1 and an imaginary plane defined by the seat surface <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in <FIG>, the knob <NUM> may be located in the area of the seat surface <NUM> subtended by the clamping angle α.

As shown in <FIG>, in the top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> may be entirely located further from the first plane P1 than the bore axis A1.

Also, as shown in <FIG>, in the top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> may intersect the threaded bore <NUM>.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, in the top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, the at least one radially inward facing abutment surface 42a, 42b may be entirely located closer to the first plane P1 than the bore axis A1.

Yet further, as shown in <FIG>, in the top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, at least one radial abutment edge 50a, 50b of the at least one radially inward facing abutment surface 42a, 42b may be parallel to the first plane P1.

In some embodiments of the present invention, in the top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, the at least one radial abutment edge 50a, 50b may extend linearly along its respective radial abutment element 32a, 32b.

As shown in <FIG>, in a first side view of the rotary cutting body <NUM>, the wall edge <NUM> of the radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM> may form a zero or acute first pocket angle δ1 with the tool axis AT, and the first pocket angle δ1 may be less than <NUM> degrees.

As shown in <FIG>, in a second side view of the rotary cutting body <NUM>, the seat surface <NUM> may form a zero or acute second pocket angle δ2 with the tool axis AT, and the second pocket angle δ2 may be less than <NUM> degrees.

For embodiments of the present invention in which the plurality of abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b include two spaced apart radial abutment elements 32a, 32b, in the top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the two radial abutment elements 32a, 32b and their respective radially inward facing abutment surfaces 42a, 42b may be entirely located on opposite sides of a second plane P2 perpendicular to the first plane P1 and intersecting the threaded bore <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the second plane P2 may contain the bore axis A1.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, the forward radial abutment element 32a may intersect the axial forward end <NUM>, and the rearward radial abutment element 32b may intersect the axial abutment element <NUM>.

As seen in these figures, the elongated axial abutment element <NUM> and the elongated rearward radial abutment element 32b intersect at an obtuse angle to form a continuous boomerang-shaped rib <NUM> on which are formed both the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> and the rearward radially inward facing abutment surface 42b. In embodiments where the rearward radially inward facing abutment surface 42b is parallel to the first plane P1, the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> also forms an external acute clamping angle α with the rearward radially inward facing abutment surface 42b. The insert receiving pocket <NUM> seen in <FIG> and <FIG> has male-type abutment elements <NUM>, 32a, 32b. It is understood, however, that in other embodiments a female axial abutment element and a female rearward radial abutment element may intersect to form a continuous boomerang-shaped groove.

As shown in <FIG>, another aspect of the present invention relates to a rotary cutting tool <NUM> having least one cutting insert <NUM> removably secured in the at least one insert receiving pocket <NUM> of the rotary cutter body <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of cutting inserts <NUM> may be removably secured in an equal number of insert receiving pockets <NUM>.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, the rotary cutting tool <NUM> may be a milling tool.

As shown in <FIG>, the cutting insert <NUM> has opposing upper and lower surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> with a peripheral side surface <NUM> extending therebetween, and a through bore <NUM> intersecting the upper and lower surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> having an insert axis A2. The peripheral side surface <NUM> may comprise a pair of opposite end surfaces <NUM> connected to one another by a pair of opposite side surfaces <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the cutting insert <NUM> may preferably be manufactured by form pressing and sintering a cemented carbide, such as tungsten carbide, and may be coated or uncoated.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, the upper and lower surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may differ from one another.

As shown in <FIG>, the cutting insert <NUM> has two spaced apart cutting edges 64a, 64b formed at the intersection of the upper surface <NUM> and the peripheral side surface <NUM>, and the cutting insert <NUM> is indexable about the insert axis A2.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, the cutting insert <NUM> may exhibit <NUM>-fold rotational symmetry about the insert axis A2.

By virtue of no cutting edges being formed at the intersection of the lower surface <NUM> and the peripheral side surface <NUM>, the cutting insert <NUM> may be termed as 'single-sided' or 'non-reversible'.

As shown in <FIG>, the lower surface <NUM> may have a base surface <NUM> and a plurality of male and/or female abutting elements 68a, 68b; 70a, 70b associated with the base surface <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that use of the term "associated with", throughout the description and claims, with respect to the plurality of male and/or female abutting elements 68a, 68b; 70a, 70b and the base surface <NUM>, covers the possibility of the plurality of male abutting elements 68a, 68b; 70a, 70b being disposed on (i.e., protruding from) the base surface <NUM> and also the possibility of the plurality of female abutting elements 68a, 68b; 70a, 70b being disposed in (i.e., recessed into) the base surface <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the base surface <NUM> may be planar.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of abutting elements 68a, 68b; 70a, 70b may include at least one axial abutting element 68a, 68b and at least one radial abutting element 70a, 70b.

Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of abutting elements 68a, 68b; 70a, 70b may be elongated, and the at least one axial abutting element 68a, 68b may be transverse to the at least one radial abutting element 70a, 70b.

Yet further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of abutting elements 68a, 68b; 70a, 70b may be female-type elements, for example, in the form of grooves or channels.

It should also be appreciated that the provision of the plurality of female-type abutting elements 68a, 68b; 70a, 70b contributes in reducing the overall weight of the cutting insert <NUM>, which is very important in high speed milling operations, in which the cutting insert <NUM> is subjected to high centrifugal forces.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, in an assembled position of the rotary cutting tool <NUM>:.

In the assembled position of the rotary cutting tool <NUM>, the axial abutting surface 74a, 74b in contact with the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> may be described as an operative axial abutting surface 74a, 74b.

It should be appreciated that only a single clamping screw <NUM> may participate with the mounting of the cutting insert <NUM> in its respective insert receiving pocket <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of abutting elements 68a, 68b; 70a, 70b may include two spaced apart axial abutting elements 68a, 68b.

In such embodiments of the invention, the axial abutting surface 74a, 74b of the axial abutting element 68a, 68b not in contact the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> may be described as a non-operative axial abutting surface 74a, 74b.

Also, in such embodiments of the invention, the non-operative axial abutting surface 74a, 74b may not be in contact with any surface of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>.

For embodiments of the present invention in which the two spaced apart axial abutting elements 68a, 68b are female-type elements, a single male-type axial abutment element <NUM> may occupy a first of the two axial abutting elements 68a, 68b, and the knob <NUM> may occupy a second of the two axial abutting elements 68a, 68b.

As shown in <FIG>, the cutting insert <NUM> has two spaced cutting edges 64a, 64b, and the cutting insert <NUM> is indexable about the insert axis A2, in the assembled position of the rotary cutting tool <NUM>, wherein only one of the two spaced cutting edges 64a, 64b may be described as an operative cutting edge 64a, 64b.

As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of abutting elements 68a, 68b; 70a, 70b may include two spaced apart radial abutting elements 70a, 70b.

For embodiments of the present invention in which the two spaced apart radial abutting elements 70a, 70b are female-type elements, two spaced apart male-type radial abutment elements 32a, 32b may occupy the two radial abutting elements 70a, 70b.

In the insert seen in <FIG>, the plurality of abutting elements 68a, 68b; 70a, 70b are female-type. Thus, the insert's lower surface <NUM> has a single longitudinal groove <NUM> recessed into the base surface <NUM>, opening to the opposite end surfaces <NUM>, passing through the through bore <NUM>, and comprising the two spaced apart radial abutting elements 70a, 70b. The insert's base surface <NUM> has a pair of parallel transverse grooves 69a, 69b recessed into the base surface <NUM>, each transverse groove 69a, 69b opening out to the opposite side surfaces <NUM>, avoiding the through bore <NUM>, and comprising a respective one of the radial abutting elements 68a, 68b. Importantly, the single longitudinal groove <NUM> intersects, and forms an acute groove angle γ with, each of the transverse grooves 69a, 69b. The acute groove angle γ is at least <NUM> degrees and at most <NUM> degrees.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the bore axis A1 may be non-coaxial with the insert axis A2.

It should be appreciated that for embodiments of the present invention in which the bore axis A1 is non-coaxial with the insert axis A2, the through bore <NUM> may be eccentric in relation to the threaded bore <NUM>.

It should also be appreciated that the eccentric relationship of the through bore <NUM> in relation to the threaded bore <NUM> promotes contact between the radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM> and the insert's peripheral side surface <NUM> on tightening of the clamping screw <NUM>.

It should be further appreciated that the eccentric relationship of the through bore <NUM> in relation to the threaded bore <NUM> promotes contact between the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> of the axial abutment element <NUM> and the axial abutting surface 74a, 74b of the one of the at least one axial abutting element 68a, 68b on tightening of the clamping screw <NUM>.

For embodiments of the present invention in which the bore axis A1 is located in the area of the seat surface <NUM> subtended by the clamping angle α, it should be appreciated that the cutting insert <NUM> can be advantageously clamped in its respective insert receiving pocket <NUM> with a high level of stability.

Also, for embodiments of the present invention in which the clamping angle α is at least <NUM> degrees and at most <NUM> degrees, it should be appreciated that the cutting insert <NUM> can be advantageously clamped in its respective insert receiving pocket <NUM> with a high level of stability.

Further, for embodiments of the present invention in which, in the top view of the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> intersects the threaded bore <NUM>, it should be appreciated that the cutting insert <NUM> can be advantageously clamped in its respective insert receiving pocket <NUM> with reduced level of rotational displacement about the bore axis A1 during milling operations, and particularly during ramp down milling operations.

As shown in <FIG>, in the absence of a radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, and in a cross-section taken in a third plane P3 perpendicular to the first plane P1 and intersecting the wall edge <NUM> of the radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM>, the radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM> may be in contact with the insert's peripheral side surface <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the third plane P3 may be coincident with the second plane P2.

Also, as shown in <FIG>, in the absence of a radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, the at least one radially inward facing abutment surface 42a, 42b may not be in contact with the cutting insert <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in <FIG>, the at least one radially inward facing abutment surface 42a, 42b may be perpendicular to the seat surface <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that in the absence of a radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, there may be a minimum first gap G1 between each of the at least one radially inward facing abutment surface 42a, 42b and its adjacent radial abutting element 70a, 70b.

It should also be appreciated that the minimum first gap G1 may have a range of between <NUM> to <NUM>.

It should be further appreciated that <FIG> shows the minimum first gap G1 to an exaggerated scale to facilitate understanding of the invention.

In some embodiments of the present invention, in the absence of a radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, the at least one radial abutment element 32a, 32b may not be in contact with the cutting insert <NUM>.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, in the absence of a radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, apart from the radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM>, no portion of the insert receiving pocket <NUM> may be in contact with the insert's peripheral side surface <NUM>.

Thus, it should be appreciated that in the absence of a radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, the axially forward facing pocket wall <NUM> may be spaced apart from the insert's peripheral side surface <NUM>.

Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, in the absence of a radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, no portion of the knob <NUM> may be in contact with the axial abutting element 68a, 68b occupied thereby.

As shown in <FIG>, in the absence of a radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, and in a cross-section taken in a fourth plane P4 intersecting the axial abutment edge <NUM> of the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM>, the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> may be in contact with its corresponding axial abutting surface 74a, 74b.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in <FIG>, the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> may form an external obtuse abutment angle β with the bore surface <NUM>.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, the abutment angle β may be greater than <NUM> degrees.

For embodiments of the present invention in which the abutment angle β is greater than <NUM> degrees, it should be appreciated that the axial abutment element <NUM>, and the axial abutting element 68a, 68b in contact therewith, may be advantageously robust.

As shown in <FIG>, in the presence of a sufficiently large radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, for example, during high speed milling operations at greater than <NUM>,<NUM> revolutions per minute, the cutting insert <NUM> may undergo repositioning until each of the at least one radially inward facing abutment surface 42a, 42b may be in contact with a corresponding radial abutting surface 76a, 76b of the at least one radial abutting element 70a, 70b.

With the insert receiving pocket <NUM> having at least one radial abutment element 32a, 32b, it should be appreciated that in the presence of a large radially outward forces FR, the cutting insert <NUM> can be advantageously clamped in its respective insert receiving pocket <NUM> with a low level of radial displacement, and a magnitude comparable to the minimum first gap G1.

Also, as shown in <FIG>, in the presence of a sufficiently large radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, and in the cross-section taken in the third plane P3, the radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM> may not be in contact with the insert's peripheral side surface <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that in the presence of a sufficiently large radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, there may be a minimum second gap G2 between the radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM> and the insert's peripheral side surface <NUM>.

It should also be appreciated that the minimum second gap G2 may have a range of between <NUM> to <NUM>.

It should be further appreciated that <FIG> shows the minimum second gap G2 to an exaggerated scale to facilitate understanding of the invention.

It should be yet further appreciated that in the presence of a sufficiently large radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, and in the cross-section taken the fourth plane P4, as shown in <FIG>, the axially forward facing abutment surface <NUM> may maintain contact with its corresponding axial abutting surface 74a, 74b.

In some embodiments of the present invention, in the presence of a sufficiently large radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, and in a cross-section taken in any plane perpendicular to the first plane P1 and intersecting the radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM>, the radially outward facing pocket wall <NUM> may not be in contact with the insert's peripheral side surface <NUM>.

Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, in the presence of a sufficiently large radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, no portion of the insert receiving pocket <NUM> may be in contact with the insert's peripheral side surface <NUM>.

Thus, it should be appreciated that in the presence of a sufficiently large radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, the axially forward facing pocket wall <NUM> may be spaced apart from the insert's peripheral side surface <NUM>.

For embodiments of the present invention in which the plurality of abutment elements <NUM>; 32a, 32b include two spaced apart radial abutment elements 32a, 32b, and the plurality of abutting elements 68a, 68b; 70a, 70b include two spaced apart radial abutting elements 70a, 70b, in the presence of a sufficiently large radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, two radially inward facing abutment surfaces 42a, 42b of the two radial abutment elements 32a, 32b may be in contact with two corresponding radial abutting surfaces 76a, 76b of the two radial abutting elements 70a, 70b.

Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, in the presence of a sufficiently large radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, no portion of the knob <NUM> may be in contact with its respective axial abutting element 68a, 68b.

For embodiments of the present invention in which no portion of the knob <NUM> is in contact with its respective axial abutting element 68a, 68b both in the absence of a radially outward force FR and in the presence of a sufficiently large radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, it should be appreciated that the knob <NUM> may not participate with the mounting or positioning of the cutting insert <NUM> in its respective insert receiving pocket <NUM>, but rather obstruct the entry of cutting chips into the respective axial abutting element 68a, 68b during machining operations, in order to protect the associated non-operative axial abutting surface 74a, 74b.

For embodiments of the present invention in which the axially forward facing pocket wall <NUM> is spaced apart from the insert's peripheral side surface <NUM>, both in the absence of a radially outward force FR and in the presence of a sufficiently large radially outward force FR on the cutting insert <NUM>, the peripheral side surface <NUM> may be advantageously configured without constraints relating to axial abutment of the cutting insert <NUM> in its respective insert receiving pocket <NUM>, thus allowing a wider range of insert shapes compatible with the insert receiving pocket <NUM>, as well as minimal peripheral grinding of these inserts.

Claim 1:
A rotary cutting body (<NUM>) having a tool axis (AT) about which the cutting body is rotatable in a direction of rotation (R), comprising:
at least one insert receiving pocket (<NUM>) provided at an axial forward end (<NUM>) of the cutting body (<NUM>), the insert receiving pocket (<NUM>) having:
a seat surface (<NUM>) facing in the direction of rotation (R) and including a threaded bore (<NUM>) having a bore axis (A1),
a radially outward facing pocket wall (<NUM>) transverse to the seat surface (<NUM>), the pocket wall (<NUM>) having a wall edge (<NUM>) spaced apart from the seat surface (<NUM>),
a first plane (P1) which is tangential to the wall edge (<NUM>), perpendicular to the seat surface (<NUM>) and intersects the axial forward end (<NUM>) of the cutting body (<NUM>), and
a plurality of elongated male and/or female abutment elements (<NUM>; 32a, 32b) associated with the seat surface (<NUM>) and including:
an axial abutment element (<NUM>) having an axially forward facing abutment surface (<NUM>), the axially forward facing abutment surface (<NUM>) having an axial abutment edge (<NUM>), and
at least one radial abutment element (32a, 32b) having a radially inward facing abutment surface (42a, 42b),
wherein:
the axial abutment element (<NUM>) is transverse to the at least one radial abutment element (32a, 32b)
and wherein:
in a top view of the insert receiving pocket (<NUM>), the axial abutment edge (<NUM>) forms an external acute clamping angle (α) with the first plane (P1), characterised in that
the bore axis (A1) is located in the area of the seat surface (<NUM>) subtended by the clamping angle (α).