Patent ID: 7134811

Claim:
A rotary cutting tool including a body having a rotational axis and a nominal cutting diameter, comprising: a first flute farmed in said body and including a first insert-receiving pocket; a second flute formed in the body and including a second insert-receiving pocket, the second insert-receiving pocket adjacent the first insert-receiving pocket; a first cutting insert mounted in the first insert-receiving pocket; a second cutting insert mounted in the second insert-receiving pocket, each cutting insert including a first end, a second end, a centerline disposed midway between the first and second ends, a cutting edge spanning between the first end and the second end, a first corner formed at the juncture of the cutting edge and the first end, and a second corner formed at the juncture of the cutting edge and the second end, the cutting edge defined by a first tapered section and a second tapered section, the first tapered section and the second tapered section forming a convex curved configuration of a constant radius defining a highpoint therebetween, wherein the first and second corners of each insert lie within the nominal cutting diameter when the cutting tool is rotated about the rotational axis, and wherein the highpoint of the first cutting insert and the first end of the second cutting insert are substantially circumferentially aligned with each other when the rotary cutting tool is rotated about the rotational axis.