Patent ID: 8905682

Claim:
A cutting portion of an integral cutting tool or of a cutting insert adapted for mounting onto a cutting tool holder to form a cutting tool, comprising: a plurality n of cutting edges, the cutting portion extending along a cutting path about a central axis, the cutting path passing through a point of each of the cutting edges which is at a maximal radial space R from the central axis, where D=2R and θ is the angular extension of the cutting path about the central axis, at any given point along the cutting portion, 3 ⁢ D n ≥ L ≥ 3 ⁢ D 2 ⁢ n , where L is one of the following: i. the extension of the cutting portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cutting path; or ii. the extension of the cutting edges in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cutting path; wherein the cutting insert has a top face and a bottom face and at least one side wall extending therebetween, the cutting portion extending along at least a segment of the at least one side wall, and wherein the cutting insert has a central plane extending between the top face and the bottom face and substantially parallel thereto, the cutting insert including: a first cutting portion extending along the segment such that cutting edges thereof extend between the top face and the central plane; a second cutting portion including cutting edges extending between the bottom face and the central plane; and wherein the cutting insert is reversible about the central plane between a first position in which the first cutting portion is adapted for coming in contact with the workpiece and a second, reversed position in which the second cutting portion is adapted for coming in contact with the workpiece; and wherein two cutting inserts each of which is configured as the cutting insert are configured for being positioned one next to the other such that the top faces thereof are flush with one another, the cutting portions thereof coming in contact with one another to form a combined cutting portion with a greater angular extension about the central axis than each of the cutting portions of the cutting inserts.