Mult- purpose end-mill

Abstract

A multi-purpose end-mill to be used for different machining purposes, in particularly useful for closed or open contours machining. The end-mill comprises a cylindrical shank portion connected to a first cutting portion provided with a plurality of spaced-apart cutting teeth and a second portion provided with a plurality of different spaced-apart cutting teeth.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the machining of slots by use of a rotational cutting tool. More particularly, the invention provides an end mill, which can be used for different machining purposes by changing the distance between a thin workpiece and the end mill shank. This change is accomplished either by moving the workpiece or the cutter. [0002] A common requirement is to machine a slot, straight or contoured, in a thin workpiece. “Thin” means that the machined item is usually no thicker than the tool diameter. [0003] If the required slot reaches an outer edge of the workpiece, or the operation to be carried out comprises machining the outer edge, then the first operation is rough machining, leaving a little material for finishing, and the following operation is finish machining to the required size. [0004] End-mills configured for rough machining are generally unsuitable for finish machining. During rough machining much material is...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to obviate the disadvantages of prior art cutting tools and to provide an end mill which can be used for several needed different machining operations in a workpiece that is thin relative to the cutter tool diameter.

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to save most of the time needed for cutter changing by use of a multi-purpose tool which executes different tasks in response to movement of the work table or the cutter spindle. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems solved by technology

End-mills configured for rough machining are generally unsuitable for finish machining.

The smaller core diameter may lead to minor loss of accuracy due to tool bending under pressure, but this is of little moment for roughing operations.

This is tiresome when done by hand, and still time consuming even when carried out by an automatic machine.

This method however involves clamping and unclamping each workpiece, and aside from the time needed for this, there is greater risk of inaccuracy as a result of the workpieces not being clamped with the same force each time, or as a result of a chip lodged between the workpiece and a locating surface of the fixture or machine vice or table.

However such operation requires high pressure, machining time is extended and the hole produced could be oversize or even off its intended position.

Although the proposed cutting tool will carry out several machining tasks, there is no separate provision for rough and finish machining.

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