Cutting tools and cutting inserts including internal cooling

Abstract

A cutting tool comprises a cutting insert, a tool holder, and a fastener. The cutting insert comprises a cutting edge and a fastener bore adapted to accept a fastener for fastening together the cutting tool and tool holder. A coolant flow recess in the fastener bore is adapted to direct coolant though the coolant flow recess and toward a head portion of the fastener. The tool holder comprises an insert pocket adapted to removably fasten the cutting insert and fastener to the tool holder, and a coolant bore adapted to direct the coolant from the tool holder to the coolant flow recess of the fastener bore. The head portion of the fastener and the coolant flow recess of the fastener bore define a gap that directs the coolant to the cutting edge of the cutting insert.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A cutting tool comprising:
 a tool holder comprising a coolant port adapted to fluidly communicate with a coolant source;   a cutting insert comprising a cutting edge and a fastener bore extending through the cutting insert; and   a fastener comprising
 a shaft portion adapted to extend through the fastener bore to fasten the cutting insert to the tool holder, and 
 a groove extending along the shaft portion, wherein the groove forms a portion of a coolant flow channel, and wherein the coolant flow channel is adapted to direct coolant from the coolant port, along the coolant flow channel and through the fastener bore, and toward the cutting edge. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting insert forms a portion of the coolant flow channel. 
     
     
         3 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener further comprises a head portion positioned outside the fastener bore. 
     
     
         4 . The cutting tool of  claim 3 , wherein the head portion further comprises a guide face, and wherein the guide face is angularly oriented toward the cutting edge. 
     
     
         5 . The cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener bore comprises a cylindrical passage. 
     
     
         6 . The cutting tool of  claim 5 , wherein the cylindrical passage comprises an inner circumference and the shaft portion comprises an outer circumference, wherein the groove extends radially inward on the shaft portion from the outer circumference, and wherein the outer circumference and the inner circumference form a seal adjacent to the groove. 
     
     
         7 . A cutting insert assembly for use with a tool holder, wherein the cutting insert assembly comprises:
 an insert body comprising:
 a cutting edge; and 
 a fastener bore extending through the insert body; and 
   a fastener positioned at least partially through the fastener bore and adapted to fasten the insert body relative to the tool holder, wherein the fastener comprises an recess adapted to direct coolant along the fastener bore and toward the cutting edge.   
     
     
         8 . The cutting insert assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the fastener further comprises a coolant flow guide. 
     
     
         9 . The cutting insert assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the fastener bore comprises an inner perimeter, wherein the fastener comprises an outer perimeter, and wherein the recess extends radially inward from the outer perimeter. 
     
     
         10 . The cutting insert assembly of  claim 9 , wherein regions of the inner perimeter abut the outer perimeter. 
     
     
         11 . A cutting tool, comprising:
 a holder comprising a coolant port adapted to fluidly communicate with a coolant source;   a cutting insert comprising a fastener bore; and   a fastener, wherein at least a portion of the fastener extends through the fastener bore and comprises a coolant channel adapted to channel coolant from the coolant port through the cutting insert.   
     
     
         12 . The cutting tool of  claim 11 , wherein the coolant channel comprises a recess extending radially inward from an outer perimeter of the fastener. 
     
     
         13 . The cutting tool of  claim 12 , wherein the outer perimeter abuts the cutting insert adjacent to the coolant channel. 
     
     
         14 . The cutting tool of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener further comprises a coolant guide adapted to direct coolant toward a cutting edge of the cutting insert. 
     
     
         15 . The cutting tool of  claim 14 , wherein the fastener further comprises a head, and wherein the coolant guide comprises an angled face of the head. 
     
     
         16 . The cutting tool of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener bore comprises a cylindrical bore through the cutting insert. 
     
     
         17 . The cutting tool of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener bore defines a uniform diameter. 
     
     
         18 . A cutting insert assembly for use with a tool holder, the cutting insert assembly comprising:
 a cutting insert body comprising:
 a cutting edge; and 
 a fastener bore extending through the cutting insert body; 
   a fastener adapted to fasten the cutting insert body to the tool holder, wherein the fastener comprises a shaft portion positioned at least partially through the fastener bore, and wherein the shaft portion comprises an outer circumference that forms a seal at regions of the outer circumference, between the fastener and the cutting insert body; and   a coolant flow channel provided along the fastener bore, wherein the coolant flow channel is defined from the outer circumference of the fastener and into the shaft portion, and wherein the coolant flow channel is adapted to direct coolant through the cutting insert body and toward the cutting edge.   
     
     
         19 . The cutting insert assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the fastener further comprises a head portion positioned outside the fastener bore. 
     
     
         20 . The cutting insert assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the head portion comprises a guide face, and wherein the guide face is angularly oriented toward the cutting edge. 
     
     
         21 . The cutting insert assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the insert forms a portion of the coolant flow channel. 
     
     
         22 . A cutting tool, comprising:
 a tool holder comprising a coolant port in fluid communication with a coolant source;   a cutting insert positionable in a plurality of orientations relative to the tool holder, wherein the plurality of orientations comprises a first orientation, and wherein the cutting insert comprises
 a plurality of cutting edges, wherein the plurality of cutting edges comprises an first cutting edge portion that is positioned to cut a workpiece when the cutting insert is in the first orientation, and 
 a fastener bore through the cutting insert; and 
   a fastener adapted to extend through the fastener bore and secure the cutting insert relative to the tool holder   wherein the cutting tool comprises a plurality of channels, and wherein the plurality of channels comprises a single active channel in fluid communication with the coolant port when the cutting insert is in the first orientation, wherein the active channel is defined intermediate the fastener and the cutting insert, and wherein the active channel is structured to direct coolant from the coolant port toward the first cutting edge portion.   
     
     
         23 . The tool of  claim 22 , wherein the fastener further comprises a head portion positioned outside the fastener bore. 
     
     
         24 . The tool of  claim 23 , wherein the head portion further comprises a guide face, and wherein the guide face is angularly oriented toward the first cutting edge portion when the cutting insert is positioned in the first orientation. 
     
     
         25 . The tool of  claim 22 , wherein the fastener further comprises a coolant flow guide. 
     
     
         26 . The tool of  claim 25 , wherein the coolant flow guide comprises an axial recess. 
     
     
         27 . The tool of  claim 22 , wherein the fastener bore comprises a cylindrical passage, wherein the fastener comprises an outer perimeter, wherein regions of the outer perimeter are positioned against the insert within the cylindrical passage. 
     
     
         28 . The tool of  claim 27 , wherein the active channel extends inwardly from the outer perimeter of the fastener.