System and method for simultaneously forming flutes in solid carbide tools

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9656331-B2
Application number	US-201113296321-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 15, 2011
Priority date	Nov 15, 2011
Publication date	May 23, 2017
Grant date	May 23, 2017

Abstract

A system for simultaneously forming multiple flutes in a carbide rotary cutting tool includes a chuck adapted to grasp a green rod member and selectively rotate the green rod member about, and translate the green rod member along, a first axis. The system further includes a mechanism adapted to simultaneously machine multiple flutes in the green rod member as the green rod member is rotated about, and translated along, the first axis.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for forming a rotary cutting tool, the method comprising:
securing a green rod member which has been previously formed in a generally cylindrical shape in a chuck mechanism, the chuck mechanism being adapted to rotate about, and translate along, a first axis in a predetermined manner;
simultaneously forming a plurality of flutes in the green rod member by machining;
removing the green rod member from the chuck mechanism;
sintering the green rod member to produce a sintered rod member; and
performing one or more grinding operations on the sintered rod member to produce a finished rotary cutting tool.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein simultaneously forming a plurality of flutes in the green rod member comprises simultaneously machining a plurality of flutes using a plurality of end mills.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein simultaneously machining a plurality of flutes using a plurality of end mills comprises rotating the green rod member about, and translating the green rod member along the first axis while the green rod member is machined by the plurality of end mills.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein simultaneously forming a plurality of flutes in the green rod member comprises simultaneously machining a plurality of flutes using a plurality of grinding wheels.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein performing one or more grinding operations on the sintered rod member comprises:
performing a grinding operation on the sintered rod member; and
performing a finish hone to at least selected portions of the sintered rod member.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising applying a coating to the sintered rod member.

Assignees

• Mehrotra Pankaj K
• Duffus Christopher R
• Rebtoy Edward T
• Kennametal Inc

Inventors

• Mehrotra Pankaj K
• Duffus Christopher R
• Rebtoy Edward T

Classifications

• Y10T409/307784

  Plural cutters · CPC title

• B24B19/04

  for fluting drill shanks · CPC title

• B23P15/32

  twist-drills · CPC title

• Y10T409/300728

  Means to infeed the cutter · CPC title

• B24B27/0076

  grinding machines comprising two or more grinding tools · CPC title