Patent ID: 8104999

Claim:
A cutting tool comprising an insert holder and a cutting insert removably securable in the insert holder, wherein: the cutting insert comprises: upper and lower surfaces; a peripheral side surface extending between the upper and lower surfaces, the peripheral side surface comprising front and rear end surfaces with a longitudinal axis passing therebetween; peripheral edges formed at the intersection of the upper and lower surfaces with the peripheral side surface, wherein at least one portion of at least one of the peripheral edges comprises a cutting edge; wherein: the lower surface has first and second insert clamping surfaces, each insert clamping surface having a generally V-shaped cross-section; surface components of the first insert clamping surface form a first wedge angle (α 1 ); surface components of the second insert clamping surface form an obtuse second wedge angle (α 2 ); and the first wedge angle (α 1 ) is smaller than the second wedge angle (α 2 ); the insert holder comprises: a holder head with an insert receiving slot opening out to a forward end of the insert holder, wherein the insert receiving slot includes upper and lower receiving slot surfaces sharing a common longitudinal direction; upper and lower clamping portions formed on the upper and lower receiving slot surfaces respectively, wherein the lower clamping portion has generally V-shaped first and second slot clamping surfaces positioned at respective first and second contact sections along the lower receiving slot surface; wherein: the first contact section is located adjacent a rear end of the lower receiving slot surface; the second contact section is located adjacent a front end of the lower receiving slot surface; surface components of the generally V-shaped slot clamping surface at the first contact section form a first wedge angle (α 1 ); surface components of the generally V-shaped slot clamping surface at the second contact section form an obtuse second wedge angle (α 2 ); and the first wedge angle (α 1 ) is smaller than the second wedge angle (α 2 ); clamping contact between the first insert clamping surface and the first slot clamping surface occurs only at the first contact section; clamping contact between the second insert clamping surface and the second slot clamping surface occurs only at the second contact section; and the holder head is formed of a first material and the cutting insert is formed of a second material which is harder than the first material.