CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/353,471, filed 17 June 2022, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/392,540, filed 27 July 2022, the contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This relates in general to cutting tools.

[0003] US20180257146 discloses a CUTTING INSERT, CUTTING TOOL, AND

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING MACHINED PRODUCT A cutting insert of the present disclosure includes a first surface, a second surface, and a cutting edge. The first surface includes a comer part, and a first side and a second side each extending from the comer part. The second surface connects to the first surface. The cutting edge is located at a region where the first surface intersects with the second surface. The cutting edge includes a first cutting edge located at the first side, a second cutting edge located at the second side, and a third cutting edge located at the comer part. The first cutting edge and the third cutting edge are provided with a honing. A honing width of a side of the second cutting edge in the third cutting edge decreases as going away from the first cutting edge and then approaching the second cutting edge.

[0004] US 11192197 discloses a HOB PEELING TOOL AND METHOD FOR HARD-FINE MACHINING OF PRE-TOOTHED WORKPIECES. A tool for hob peeling rotating workpieces having premachined teeth comprises a gear-wheel shaped main body and tooth-shaped cutting inserts (1.2) which at the end face in the region of the tip circle are disposed on the main body. Each cutting insert comprises at least one cutting tooth. The cutting tooth forms a cutting edge (6) which runs at least along one of the flanks of the cutting tooth, and a cutting face and a clearance face. The cutting face along the cutting edge is provided with a cutting face chamfer (7) which in relation to the cutting face (5.5) runs so as to be inclined by a chamfer angle. The chamfer angle varies along the cutting edge. Moreover, the cutting edge is rounded by a radius.

[0005] EP2570218A2 discloses a cutting wheel. The cutting wheel is for planing and/or slotting a metal workpiece, in particular a gear wheel, with at least one roughing section arranged along at least one area of its front circumference and a finishing section provided for this purpose, in particular with the same module, which sections each have at least one cutting tooth.

[0006] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting context.

SUMMARY

[0007] This relates more particularly to a milling and grinding cutter.

[0008] In at least one embodiment a cutting tool includes a generally cylindrical body having first end and a second end and having a main longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and defining an inner longitudinal passageway about said axis, and defining an outer circumferential surface about said axis with a plurality of slots each extending between the first end and the second end. The body also has a plurality of inserts, each disposed in a respective one of the plurality of slots, where at least two of the inserts of the plurality are of differing types.

[0009] The slots may be askew to the main axis.

[0010] A plurality of radial apertures may be formed in body and may each extend from the inner passageway to the outer surface.

[0011] A key may be formed in the body in the passageway for engagement with a rotary shaft.

[0012] The differing types of inserts may differ by material, by profile, and/or by tooth pattern.

[0013] In at least one embodiment a cutting tool has a generally cylindrical body extending along a central longitudinal axis and includes a central through aperture centered on the axis. The body has an outer surface defining a plurality of notches, and a plurality of inserts, including at least two differing inserts, disposed in the plurality of notches.

[0014] The notches may be non-parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

[0015] A plurality of lateral apertures may extend between the central aperture and the outer surface.

[0016] A key may be formed in the body in the central aperture for engagement with a shaft for rotating the cutting tool.

[0017] A first insert of the plurality of inserts may be formed from a first material, and a second insert of the plurality of inserts may be formed from a second material, with the first material and second material different from one another.

[0018] A first insert of the plurality of inserts and a second insert of the plurality of inserts may be differently shaped from one another.

[0019] A first insert of the plurality of inserts and a second insert of the plurality of inserts may have different tooth patterns from one another.

[0020] In at least one embodiment a method of using a cutting tool includes the steps of: providing a cutting tool which includes a body having an axis with an inner passageway and an outer circumferential surface with plurality of slots is formed on the surface and a plurality of inserts is disposed in the plurality of slots with at least two of the inserts being of differing types; and rotating the tool to machine a work piece.

[0021] The body may define a plurality of apertures between the passageway and the surface and the method may further includes directing fluid through the apertures.

[0022] The method may further comprising the step of replacing at least one insert of the plurality of inserts with another insert of a differing type.

[0023] The first replaceable insert may be formed of a first material and the second replaceable insert is formed of a second material. [0024] The first replaceable insert and the second replaceable insert may be differently- shaped from one another.

[0025] The first replaceable insert and the second replaceable insert may have differing tooth patters.

[0026] Various aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a milling and grinding cutter, including inserts, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2 is a side view of the exemplary milling and grinding cutter;

[0029] Figure 3 is an isometric view of narrow sections of portions of the inserts of the exemplary milling and grinding cutter, removed from a body of the exemplary milling and grinding cutter, and positioned side by side;

[0030] Figure 4 is a side view of the narrow sections of the inserts shown in Figure 3 from the direction of perspective arrow 4 shown in Figure 3; and

[0031] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a cutting operation using the exemplary milling and grinding cutter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a cutting tool 10.

[0033] The present disclosure, as demonstrated by the exemplary embodiment described below, can provide a cutting tool with improved performance and manufacturing, as well as reduced temperature during operation and tool wear. An exemplary milling and grinding cutter 10, hereafter “cutting tool,” includes a body 12. The exemplary body 12 extends along a central longitudinal axis 14. In operation, the exemplary body 12 is rotated about the axis 14 in the direction 36. The exemplary body 12 includes a central, longitudinal passageway or through aperture 16 centered on the axis 14. The exemplary body 12 also includes an optional key 18 in the aperture 16 which in the illustrated embodiment extends the full length of the aperture 16 along the axis 14, although such is not required. The key 18 can be engaged with a shaft (not shown) utilized for rotating the cutting tool 10.

[0034] The exemplary body 12 also includes a plurality of optional lateral or radial apertures, such as lateral apertures referenced at 20, 20a, 20b, and 20c. Each of the exemplary of plurality of lateral apertures extends between the aperture 16 and an outer surface of the exemplary body 12. In operation, cutting fluid can be directed through the aperture 16 and further through the lateral apertures to cool cutting edges and flush debris from the workpiece. Sensors (not shown) can be positioned in the body 12 and can be configured to sense one or more aspects to the flow of coolant, such as, by way of example and not limitation, temperature and flow rate.

[0035] The exemplary body 12 also includes a plurality of slots or notches 22 - 22k defined in the outer surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the exemplary notches 22 - 22k are non-parallel, e g. askew, to the exemplary axis 16. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the exemplary notch 22h is centered on an axis 23 that is non-parallel to the exemplary axis 16. It is noted that the axes 14 and 23 are not in the same plane in Figure 2 based on the perspective of Figure 2, but the perspective of Figure 2 is sufficient to show that the exemplary axes 14 and 23 are non-parallel.

[0036] The exemplary cutting tool 10 can also include a plurality of inserts 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34. The respective inserts 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 can be formed from different materials, including but not limited to carbon steel, steel alloy, carbide and/or any other suitable material or variety of the forementioned materials. The respective inserts 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 can have different tooth patterns, including but not limited to differing profiles, differing cutting edges, and/or deferring cut and/or relief angles. The respective inserts 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 can serve different purposes. Each of the exemplary inserts 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 are differently shaped from one another.

[0037] A first instance of the exemplary insert 24 is received in the notch 22 and a second instance of the exemplary insert 24 is received in the notch 22f. The exemplary insert 24 includes, for example, teeth 24a, 24b, and 24h. In the exemplary embodiment, the insert 24 contributes to forming a rake angle of teeth on a workpiece that are being formed by the cutting tool 10.

[0038] A first instance of the exemplary insert 26 is received in the notch 22a and a second instance of the exemplary insert 26 is received in the notch 22g. The exemplary insert 26 includes, for example, teeth 26a, 26b, and 26d. In the exemplary embodiment, the insert 26 contributes to forming a bottom of the teeth on the workpiece that are being formed by the cutting tool 10.

[0039] A first instance of the exemplary insert 28 is received in the notch 22b and a second instance of the exemplary insert 28 is received in the notch 22h. The exemplary insert 28 includes, for example, teeth 28a, 28b, and 28h. In the exemplary embodiment, the insert 28 contributes to forming some of the gullet of the teeth on the workpiece that are being formed by the cutting tool 10.

[0040] A first instance of the exemplary insert 30 is received in the notch 22c and a second instance of the exemplary insert 30 is received in the notch 22i. The exemplary insert 30 includes, for example, teeth 30a, 30b, and 30h. In the exemplary embodiment, the insert 30 contributes to forming some of the gullet of the teeth on the workpiece that are being formed by the cutting tool 10.

[0041] A first instance of the exemplary insert 32 is received in the notch 22d and a second instance of the exemplary insert 32 is received in the notch 22j. The exemplary insert 32 includes, for example, teeth 32a, 32b, and 32h. In the exemplary embodiment, the insert 32 contributes to forming some of the gullet of the teeth on the workpiece that are being formed by the cutting tool 10.

[0042] A first instance of the exemplary insert 34 is received in the notch 22e and a second instance of the exemplary insert 34 is received in the notch 22k. The exemplary insert 34 includes, for example, teeth 34a, 34b, and 34h. In the exemplary embodiment, the insert 34 contributes to forming the relief angle of the teeth on the workpiece that are being formed by the cutting tool 10.

[0043] Figure 3 shows a narrow section of a portion of each insert 24 - 34 arranged side by side. Figure 4 is a side view of the narrow sections of the portions of the inserts shown in Figure 3 from the side, from the direction of perspective arrow 4 shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 provides an indication of how each insert contributes to the removal of material from a workpiece to form teeth.

[0044] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a cutting operation using the exemplary cutting tool 10. The cutting tool 10 can be rotated about the axis 14 in the direction 36. As the cutting tool 10 rotates, it can then be moved in a first pass from a starting position and across a workpiece 38 in a rectilinear direction. The cutting tool 10 is spaced from the workpiece 38 when in the starting position. The movement is lateral relative to the axis 14, in a direction 40. During movement in the direction 40, the cutting tool 10 engages the workpiece 38 and thereby removes material from the workpiece 38. In Figure 5, material is removed between a leading edge 44 of the workpiece 38 and a trailing edge shown in dash line and referenced at 46. After the cutting tool 10 has moved across the full width of the workpiece 38, it is then moved in a direction 42 that is opposite to the direction 40. The cutting tool 10 is moved in the direction 42 back to the starting position. When the cutting tool 10 has been returned to the starting position, the workpiece 38 can be moved in a direction 48 until the trailing edge 46 is moved to the position of the leading edge 44 at the time the cutting tool 10 makes the first pass. The steps thus described can be repeated as necessary based on a length of the workpiece 38.

[0045] By having material-removing teeth formed on a replaceable insert, the life of the body 12 of the cutting tool 10 can be extended since the inserts can be easily replaced. Further, each insert can be formed from a different material, a material chosen in view of the particular purpose of that insert. The inclusion of the lateral apertures through the body 12 can facilitate reduced temperature and thus enhanced life. It is noted that embodiments of the present disclosure can be utilized for milling and/or grinding.

[0046] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to a particular embodiment disclosed herein as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will be viewed as covering any embodiment falling within the scope of the appended claims. Also, the right to claim a particular sub-feature, sub-component, or sub-element of any disclosed embodiment, singularly or in one or more sub-combinations with any other subfeature^), sub-component(s), or sub-element(s), is hereby unconditionally reserved by the Applicant. Also, particular sub-feature(s), sub-component(s), and sub-element(s) of one embodiment that is disclosed herein can replace particular sub-features, sub-components, and sub-elements in another embodiment disclosed herein or can supplement and be added to other embodiments unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. Further, the use of the word “can” in this document is not an assertion that the subject preceding the word is unimportant or unnecessary or “not critical” relative to anything else in this document. The word “can” is used herein in a positive and affirming sense and no other motive should be presumed. More than one “invention” may be disclosed in the present disclosure; an “invention” is defined by the content of a patent claim and not by the content of a detailed description of an embodiment of an invention.

[0047] While principles and modes of operation have been explained and illustrated with regard to particular embodiments, it must be understood, however, that this may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.