Automatic indexing for cutting insert

1 . A cutting system comprising:

a tool comprising a cam connected with a cutting insert;

a stationary fixture spaced apart from the tool, the stationary fixture comprising a gear moveable within the stationary fixture; and

a machine, the machine configured to move the cam of the tool into contact with the stationary fixture such that movement of the gear causes the cam to move and index the cutting insert.

2 . The cutting system of claim 1 wherein the tool further comprises a plunger disposed against the cam, the plunger moveable relative to the cam and configured to keep a rotated position of the cam after the cutting insert is indexed.

3 . The cutting system of claim 1 wherein the stationary fixture further comprises a rack-and-gear, the rack configured to rotate the gear, the gear configured to rotate the cam causing the cutting insert to index.

4 . The cutting system of claim 3 wherein the stationary fixture further comprises a biasing member that biases the gear relative to the rack.

5 . The cutting system of claim 1 wherein the tool comprises a tool holder comprising a pocket, the cutting insert disposed within and against the pocket with an interference fit preventing the cutting insert from rotating relative to the pocket, the pocket configured to be relatively moved away from the cutting insert allowing the cutting insert to rotate.

6 . The cutting system of claim 5 wherein the tool comprises a biasing member biasing the cutting insert towards the pocket.

7 . A cutting system comprising:

a machine;

a tool comprising a cutting insert and a cam connected with the cutting insert; and

a stationary fixture spaced apart from the tool, the stationary fixture comprising a gear moveably mated with a rack;

wherein the machine is configured to move the cam of the tool into contact with the stationary fixture; and further move the tool such that the rack rotates the gear; and

wherein rotation of the gear causes the cam to rotate and index the cutting insert.

8 . The cutting system of claim 7 wherein the tool further comprises a plunger disposed against the cam, the plunger moveable relative to the cam and configured to keep a rotated position of the cam after the cutting insert is indexed.

9 . The cutting system of claim 7 wherein the stationary fixture further comprises a biasing member that biases the gear relative to the rack.

10 . The cutting system of claim 7 wherein the tool further comprises a tool holder comprising a pocket, the cutting insert disposed within and against the pocket with an interference fit preventing the cutting insert from rotating relative to the pocket, the pocket configured to relatively move away from the cutting insert allowing the cutting insert to rotate.

11 . The cutting system of claim 10 wherein the tool further comprises a biasing member that biases the cutting insert towards the pocket.

12 . A method of indexing a cutting insert of a tool comprising:

moving the tool with a machine to dispose a cam of the tool into contact with the stationary fixture; and

subsequently moving the tool relative to the stationary fixture such that a gear of the stationary fixture rotates and causes the cam of the tool to rotate and index the cutting insert.

13 . The method of claim 12 further comprising preventing further rotation of the cutting insert within a pocket of a tool holder of the tool.

14 . The method of claim 12 further comprising moving a pocket of a tool holder relatively away from the cutting insert to allow the cutting insert to rotate.

15 . The method of claim 14 wherein the moving the pocket of the tool holder relatively away from the cutting insert comprises the machine moving the tool holder relative to the cam of the tool while the cam of the tool is restrained against the gear of the stationary fixture causing the pocket of the tool holder to move relatively away from the cutting insert.

16 . The method of claim 12 wherein the subsequently moving the tool relative to the stationary fixture such that a gear of the stationary fixture rotates and causes the cam of the tool to rotate and index the cutting insert comprises the gear of the stationary fixture moving relative to a rack of the stationary fixture causing the cam to rotate which causes the cutting insert of the tool to index.

17 . The method of claim 12 further comprising keeping a rotated position of the cam with a plunger after the cutting insert is indexed.

18 . The method of claim 12 further comprising the machine moving a tool holder of the tool away from the stationary fixture and a biasing member of the tool moving the cutting insert into a pocket of the tool holder to prevent the cutting insert from rotating.

19 . The method of claim 12 further comprising a biasing member of the stationary fixture moving the gear of the stationary fixture relative to the stationary fixture.