Automatic indexing for cutting insert
A cutting system may include a tool and a stationary fixture. The tool may include a cam connected with a cutting insert. The stationary fixture may be spaced apart from the tool. The stationary fixture may include a moveable indexing pin moveable relative to the stationary fixture. The cam of the tool may be configured to be moved into contact with the moveable indexing pin of the stationary fixture, and the moveable indexing pin of the stationary fixture may be configured to cause the cam to rotate thereby indexing the cutting insert.
1 . A cutting system comprising:
a tool comprising a cam;
a cutting insert operatively connected to the cam; and
a stationary fixture spaced apart from the tool, the stationary fixture comprising a moveable indexing pin moveable relative to the stationary fixture;
wherein the cam is configured to be moved into contact with the moveable indexing pin of the stationary fixture;
wherein the cam includes at least one slot formed therein, the slot having a longitudinal axis disposed at a non-parallel angle relative to an axis of rotation of the cam; and
wherein relative movement between the tool and the stationary fixture causes the indexing pin to enter the slot and travel along the slot to impart rotational movement to the cam about the axis of rotation.
2 . The cutting system of claim 1 wherein the cam comprises spaced-apart slots disposed around an outer surface of the cam, each of the spaced-apart slots extending along a respective longitudinal axis which is disposed at a respective non-parallel angle relative to the axis of rotation of the cam.
3 . The cutting system of 2 wherein the cam comprises a circumferential slot extending around the outer surface of the cam, the spaced-apart slots intersecting the circumferential slot.
4 . The cutting system of claim 1 wherein the tool further comprises a plunger, the plunger moveable relative to the cam and configured to prevent the cam from rotating after the cutting insert is indexed.
5 . The cutting system of claim 1 wherein the stationary fixture further comprises a stationary pin.
6 . The cutting system of claim 1 wherein the stationary fixture comprises a biasing member biasing the moveable indexing pin relative to the stationary fixture.
7 . The cutting system of claim 1 wherein the moveable indexing pin of the stationary fixture is only configured to move vertically away from and towards the stationary fixture.
8 . 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 move away from the cutting insert allowing the cutting insert to rotate.
9 . The cutting system of claim 8 wherein the tool comprises a biasing member biasing the cutting insert towards the pocket.
10 . The cutting system of claim 1 wherein the cutting insert is configured to be axially displaced relative to a pocket of the tool prior to said rotational movement, such that the cutting insert is at least partially disengaged from the pocket during rotation of the cam.
11 . A cutting system comprising:
a machine tool;
a processor;
a tool comprising a cam;
a cutting insert operatively connected to the cam; and
a stationary fixture spaced apart from the tool, the stationary fixture comprising a stationary pin and a moveable indexing pin moveable relative to the stationary fixture;
wherein the processor is configured to move the machine tool to move the cam into contact with the stationary pin and the moveable indexing pin of the stationary fixture;
wherein the cam includes at least one slot formed therein, the slot having a longitudinal axis disposed at a non-parallel angle relative to an axis of rotation of the cam; and
wherein relative movement between the tool and the stationary fixture causes the indexing pin to enter the slot and travel along the slot to impart rotational movement to the cam about the axis of rotation.
12 . The cutting system of claim 11 wherein the cam comprises spaced-apart slots disposed around an outer surface of the cam, each of the spaced-apart slots extending along a respective longitudinal axis which is disposed at a respective non-parallel angle relative to the axis of rotation of the cam.
13 . The cutting system of 12 wherein the cam comprises a circumferential slot extending around the outer surface of the cam, the spaced-apart slots intersecting the circumferential slot.
14 . The cutting system of claim 11 wherein the tool further comprises a plunger, the plunger moveable relative to the cam and configured to prevent the cam from rotating after the cutting insert is indexed.
15 . The cutting system of claim 11 wherein the stationary fixture comprises a biasing member biasing the moveable indexing pin relative to the stationary fixture.
16 . The cutting system of claim 11 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 cutting insert configured to move away from the pocket allowing the cutting insert to rotate.
17 . The cutting system of claim 11 wherein the tool comprises a biasing member biasing the cutting insert towards the pocket.
18 . A method of indexing a cutting insert of a tool comprising:
moving the tool to dispose a cam of the tool into contact with a moveable indexing pin of a stationary fixture;
disposing the moveable indexing pin within at least one slot formed in the cam, the slot having a longitudinal axis disposed at a non-parallel angle relative to an axis of rotation of the cam;
moving the tool relative to the stationary fixture to cause the moveable indexing pin to travel along the slot; and
imparting rotational movement to the cam about the axis of rotation by the travel of the moveable indexing pin along the slot, thereby causing the cutting insert of the tool to index.
19 . The method of claim 18 further comprising preventing rotation of the cutting insert within a pocket of a tool holder of the tool.
20 . The method of claim 19 further comprising moving the pocket of the tool holder away from the cutting insert to allow the cutting insert to rotate.
21 . The method of claim 20 wherein the moving the pocket of the tool holder away from the cutting insert comprises moving the tool holder relative to the cam of the tool while the cam of the tool is restrained against a stationary pin of the stationary fixture causing the pocket of the tool holder to be moved away from the cutting insert.
22 . The method of claim 18 further comprising:
axially displacing the cutting insert relative to a pocket of the tool prior to moving the tool relative to the stationary fixture to cause the moveable indexing pin to travel along the slot; and
repositioning the cutting insert into the pocket of the tool after imparting rotational movement to the cam to prevent further rotation of the cutting insert.
23 . The method of claim 18 further comprising preventing the cutting insert from rotating with a plunger after the cutting insert is indexed.
24 . The method of claim 18 further comprising 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.
25 . The method of claim 18 further comprising a biasing member of the stationary fixture biasing the moveable indexing pin relative to the stationary fixture.