Cutting tool for forming parallel grooves in a tubular member

Details Cutting tool for forming parallel grooves in a tubular member Cutting tool for forming parallel grooves in a tubular member

1998-11-19

2001-08-21

Tsai, Henry (Department: 3722)

Turning

Portable lathe for pipe turning

C082S131000, C082S138000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06276244

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cutting tools and machines for forming grooves. More particularly, the present invention relates to cutting tools for forming a plurality of parallel grooves in a thin-walled tubular member.
2. Disclosure Information
Multiple, parallel grooves have been formed in tubular members by using multiple cutting tools rotating around the tubular member. These cutting tools have to be constantly monitored to insure that each tool is cutting a respective groove to the same dimensions as its counterpart tools. Often, one tool will wear prematurely before the others, making it necessary to remove all the tools, and either replace them entirely or carefully and exactly machine the multiple tools to the same dimensions. This is a very costly and time consuming process which is difficult to monitor. Also, after the tools are removed and machined, the operator must replace the tools in a proper orientation. Known machines and cutting tools do not provide any mechanism for preventing misalignment of the tools.
Furthermore, the cutting tools are prone to chip buildup. As cutting continues, more cutting chips are formed. If the chips are not directed away from the cutting tools, the tools become clogged and the resultant groove does not meet dimension.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a cutting tool which overcomes the known problems of prior art tools. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cutting tool which is less costly and more robust than prior tools.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cutting tool which forms multiple parallel grooves in a tube using a single cutting tool.
These objects are accomplished by the present invention which comprises an apparatus for simultaneously forming a plurality of closely spaced, parallel grooves having a web between them in a thin-walled tube. The apparatus comprises a tube holder for holding the tube in a fixed position during a cutting operation, the tube holder including an axially reciprocating mandrel operative to reciprocate into the tube prior to forming the grooves and reciprocate out of the tube after the grooves are formed. The apparatus also includes a rotating cutting tool for cutting the grooves in the tube, the cutting tool being operative to rotate about the fixed tube to form the plurality of grooves in the tube. The cutting tool comprises a single insert form cutter having a front face, a rear face, a cutting edge and a bottom edge, the cutting edge being disposed at an angle of between 3-20 degrees to the plane of the front face of the cutter.
The insert form cutter of the present invention comprises a plurality of cutting blades for cutting the grooves, the cutting blades being disposed at the cutting edge and being separated by a predetermined distance, and a plurality of chip relief members. Each one of the plurality of chip relief members is associated with each of the cutting blades and extends across the cutting edge of the insert form cutter from the front face to the rear face of the cutter. Each chip relief member is generally triangularly-shaped, having a first side of predetermined width at the cutting blade and two converging sides extending toward the rear face of the cutter to form an angle of between 3 to 15 degrees.
The present invention further includes a tool holder for holding the insert form cutter, the holder including means for preventing misalignment of the cutter therein. The misalignment means comprises a cavity of predetermined configuration such that the insert form cutter matingly engages the cavity only when in proper cutting orientation. A fastener or clip for securing the cutter in the holder is used. The apparatus of the present invention also includes means for driving the cutting tool assembly into and out of engagement with the tube.
It is an advantage of the present invention that a single cutting tool can be used, thereby saving labor and costs associated with forming a plurality of grooves in a tube. These and other advantages, objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the drawings, detailed description and claims which follow.


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