Cutting inserts with honeycomb sandwich structure for cooling

摘要

A new type of cutting insert is disclosed here which has sandwich structure often with honeycombs in the mid-section of the insert, to allow fluid and/or gas coolant flow through the insert from inside and reduce cutting tool temperature during work-piece cutting operation. The cutting insert includes an insert body, which includes cutting edge, nose, rake face, and flank face. The cutting insert body further contains interior coolant passageways formed by specially manufactured honeycomb structure in the insert body. The number, shape, and size of honeycomb interior passageways are carefully developed and distributed inside the insert body. Therefore, the insert provides adequate strength to withstand force and impact from cutting work-piece and also in the meantime provides effective cooling to the cutting tool. The honeycomb interior coolant passageways could be connected from the insert to the tool holder through an internal passageway in the tool holder, then to the coolant circulation system provided to the cutting tool, or directly connected to an external coolant circulation system. The cutting insert can be used in metal cutting, such as high strength aerospace materials and heat resistance materials. It can also be used in drilling tools for mine/oil/natural gas exploration.