The technology to form, press and grind indexable carbide inserts has evolved to such a high degree that the methods to effectively clamp inserts in a cutter body have struggled to keep up, but strides are being made. Some insert shapes have advanced to the point where they have a true, 100-percent, 3D geometry with almost no flat surfaces. This requires a tool-body pocket that is dynamically shaped to accommodate the optimal geometry. For example, an insert with a wavelike feature across its back requires it be seated in a pocket with a matching shape to ensure accurate fixation with high stability.
Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis.
Originally published on CTE: 2016-07-15
CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/clamp-down/
Legacy path: /articles/clamp-down