Cutting die head
A cutting die head that can be set and/or reset without an external mechanism. To this end, the die head includes a die body including a plurality of radially adjustable blocks, each block having a cutter mounted thereon and a radially outwardly facing cam surface. A sleeve surrounds the die body and has an inner surface. The inner surface has a plurality of cam surfaces arranged to communicate with the cam surfaces of the blocks such that axial movement of the sleeve results in radial movement of the blocks. In one embodiment the sleeve is caused to move axially by fluid pressure.
1. A cutting die head comprising:
a die body having a front face, a rear face and a hollow shank extending inwardly from the rear face and terminating in a shank end; the front face having a plurality of slots each provided with a radially adjustable block, each block having a cutter mounted thereon and a radially outwardly facing cam surface;
a sleeve surrounding the die body and having an inner surface, the inner surface having a plurality of cam surfaces arranged to communicate with the cam surfaces of the blocks such that axial movement of the sleeve results in radial movement of the blocks;
a plunger positioned within the hollow shank and fixed to the sleeve through a slot in the hollow shank such that the sleeve and plunger move together axially along the shank a distance delineated by the length of the slot; and
a fluid in communication with the shank such that an increase in pressure of the fluid results in the plunger and sleeve being forced toward the front face of the die body, thereby causing the blocks to move radially inward.
2. The cutting die head of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is air, oil, or coolant.
3. The cutting die head of claim 1 , wherein the cutters are selected from form tools, threading tools, grooving cutters, shape cutters, knurling tools, or burnishing tools.
4. The cutting die head of claim 1 , wherein part of the fluid may escape from the shank and cool or lubricate the cutting die head.
5. The cutting die head of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is sealed within the shank and does not leak from the cutting die head.
6. The cutting die head of claim 1 , wherein the die body is cylindrical.
7. The cutting die head of claim 1 , wherein the blocks have both axial and radial cam surfaces in communication with corresponding cam surfaces on the sleeve.
8. A cutting die head comprising:
a die body having a front face, a rear face and a hollow shank extending inwardly from the rear face and terminating in a shank end; the front face having a plurality of slots each provided with a radially adjustable block, each block having a cutter mounted thereon and a radially outwardly facing cam surface;
a sleeve surrounding the die body and having an inner surface, the inner surface having a plurality of cam surfaces arranged to communicate with the cam surfaces of the blocks such that axial movement of the sleeve results in radial movement of the blocks;
a plunger positioned within the hollow shank and fixed to the sleeve through a slot in the hollow shank such that the sleeve and plunger move together axially along the shank a distance delineated by the length of the slot;
a pusher positioned within the hollow shank between the plunger and shank end; and
a fluid in communication with the shank such that an increase in pressure of the fluid results in the pusher being forced toward the plunger and affixed sleeve being, thus causing the plunger and affixed sleeve toward the front face of the die body causing the blocks to move radially inward.
9. The cutting die head of claim 8 , wherein the fluid is air, oil, or coolant.
10. The cutting die head of claim 8 , wherein the cutters are selected from form tools, threading tools, grooving cutters, shape cutters, knurling tools, or burnishing tools.
11. The cutting die head of claim 8 , wherein part of the fluid may escape from the shank and cool or lubricate the cutting die head.
12. The cutting die head of claim 8 , wherein the fluid is sealed within the shank and does not leak from the cutting die head.
13. The cutting die head of claim 8 , wherein the die body is cylindrical.
14. The cutting die head of claim 8 , wherein the blocks have both axial and radial cam surfaces in communication with corresponding cam surfaces on the sleeve.