Cutting tool with indicator substance

Abstract

The invention relates to a cutting tool having at least one cavity arranged in the cutting tool, spaced apart from an outer contour of the cutting tool by a wear layer, wherein a thickness of the wear layer corresponds to a wear limit of the cutting tool, wherein an indicator substance is arranged in the cavity.

Claims

1. A cutting tool comprising at least one cavity arranged in the cutting tool, spaced apart from an outer contour of the cutting tool by a wear layer, wherein a thickness of the wear layer corresponds to a wear limit of the cutting tool, wherein an indicator substance is arranged in the cavity.

2. The cutting tool according to claim 1, wherein the indicator substance is selected from the group consisting of dyes, pigments, soot, and luminescent paints, as well as combinations thereof.

3. The cutting tool according to claim 1, wherein the indicator substance is present in a liquid.

4. The cutting tool according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is configured as a channel and/or a porous structure, in particular a porous honeycomb-like structure.

5. The cutting tool according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is closed.

6. The cutting tool according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool comprises at least one cutting edge and a cutting surface, wherein the cavity is associated with the cutting edge and/or the cutting surface.

7. The cutting tool according to claim 6, wherein the cavity associated with a cutting edge contains a different indicator substance than the cavity associated with a cutting surface.

8. The cutting tool according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of cutting edges and cavities are provided, wherein at least one cavity is associated with each cutting edge.

9. The cutting tool according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of cutting surfaces and a plurality of cavities are provided, wherein at least one cavity is associated with each cutting surface.

10. The cutting tool according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is modularly constructed and comprises a cutting insert, in which the cavity is provided.

11. The cutting tool according to claim 1, wherein the cutting tool is produced by a 3D printing process,

12. The cutting tool of claim 11, wherein the 3D printing process is binder jetting.

13. The cutting tool of claim 11, wherein the 3D printing process is selective laser melting.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] The invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, using exemplary embodiments. The drawings show:

[0067] FIG. 1 in a schematic cross-sectional view, a cutting tool according to the invention having an open, channel-like cavity;

[0068] FIG. 2 in a schematic cross-sectional view, a cutting tool according to the invention having an open, porous, honeycomb-like cavity;

[0069] FIG. 3 in a schematic aerial view, a drill head from FIG. 1;

[0070] FIG. 4 in a schematic aerial view, a drill head from FIG. 2;

[0071] FIG. 5 in a schematic cross-sectional view, a cutting tool according to the invention having a plurality of closed cavities;

[0072] FIG. 6 in a schematic cross-sectional view, a cutting tool according to the invention having a closed channel-like cavity;

[0073] FIG. 7 in a schematic cross-sectional view, the drill head from FIG. 5; and

[0074] FIG. 8 in a schematic cross-sectional view, a modular cutting tool having an open honeycomb-like cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] FIG. 1 shows a cutting tool 10 for performing rotating cutting operations on a workpiece (not shown).

[0076] The cutting tool described in FIG. 1 and in the following figures is merely exemplary. Generally, the cutting tool can be any cutting tool known in the prior art, such as a milling machine, a cutting plate, or a rotary tool.

[0077] In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting tool 10 is of the spiral drill type and has helical grooves arranged along the sides of the drill.

[0078] The cutting tool 10 comprises a drill head 18 configured integrally with a shaft 20.

[0079] The shaft 20 has an elongated shape with two opposite ends, wherein the shaft 20 opens into the drill head 18 at one end and a tool holder 26 is arranged at the other end. The shaft 20 thereby engages with and is locked to the tool holder 26.

[0080] The drill head 18 has an outer contour 14 that corresponds to the surface of the drill head 18.

[0081] According to the invention, the drill head 18 comprises a cavity 12.

[0082] The cavity 12 is located in the cutting body 13 of the drill head 18.

[0083] The cavity 12 is spaced apart from the outer contour 14 by a wear layer 16.

[0084] In this embodiment, the cavity 12 is channel-like in form and extends from the tip of the drill head 18 in the direction of its lateral end.

[0085] An indicator substance (not shown here) is arranged in the cavity 12.

[0086] The indicator substance is preferably selected from the group consisting of dyes, pigments, soot, and luminescent paints, as well as combinations thereof.

[0087] For example, for the cutting tool from FIG. 1, a dye can be used that is dissolved in an aqueous or organic medium and that has a strong signaling effect on a user. Red, yellow, or orange dyes are particularly suitable for this purpose.

[0088] The channel-like cavity 12 is fluidly connected to a distribution chamber 28 arranged proximally in the drill head 18 by way of two connecting channels 30.

[0089] The connecting channels 30 extend from the proximally arranged distribution chamber 28 to the distally arranged cavities 12.

[0090] The distribution chamber 28 is fluidly connected to a supply rod 24. The supply rod extends from the distribution chamber 28 through the shaft 20 and opens into the tool holder 26.

[0091] The supply rod 24 is evenly spaced apart from the outer wall of the shaft 20 and tool holder 26.

[0092] The supply rod 24 has an end opposite the distribution chamber 28, which end is formed by an inlet opening 32.

[0093] The inlet opening 32 can be connected to an indicator source 34 arranged outside the cutting tool 10. In particular, the indicator source 34 can be arranged within a machine tool that drives the cutting tool 10 during the machining operation.

[0094] During operation of the cutting tool 10, the indicator source 34 provides the aforementioned indicator substance, which flows into the supply rod 24 via the inflow opening 32. Via the supply rod 24, the indicator substance passes into the distribution chamber 28 and subsequently into the connecting channels 30 and thus into the cavities 12 arranged distally in the drill head 18.

[0095] The wear of the cutting tool 10 from FIG. 1 will be explained in further detail below.

[0096] During operation, the cutting tool 10 performs rotating cutting operations on a workpiece, thereby causing wear on the outer contour 14 of the drill head 18. As a result of the wear, the wear layer 16 is removed and the cavity 12 is opened. It is sufficient for the wear layer 16 to be removed in at least one place. Uneven wear therefore also results in the cavity 12 being opened in at least one place. The cavity contains an indicator substance that is released into the environment of the cutting tool 10. As a result, the environment and the cutting tool 10, in particular the drill head 18, at least partially come into contact with the indicator substance. In addition, the indicator source 34 can pump a certain amount of indicator substance back so that sufficient indicator substance is released in order to recognize the wear. The operator receives the information that the wear limit of the cutting tool 10 has been reached. Operation can be suspended and the cutting tool 10 can be replaced. A time-consuming and cost-intensive inspection under a microscope can thus be avoided.

[0097] FIG. 2 shows the cutting tool 10 from FIG. 1, with the difference that the cavity 12 is configured so as to be honeycomb-like.

[0098] With respect to the other features and parts, the same statements apply as those already made in FIG. 1.

[0099] FIG. 3 shows an aerial view of the drill head 18 from FIG. 1.

[0100] As can be readily seen in FIG. 3, the channel-like cavity 12 is spaced from the outer contour 14 of the drill head 18 by a wear layer 16. The wear layer 16 has a thickness d. The thickness d of the wear layer 16 corresponds to a wear limit of the cutting tool 10.

[0101] FIG. 4 shows an aerial view of the drill head 18 from FIG. 2. The thickness d shown in FIG. 4 also corresponds to the thickness d of the wear layer 16.

[0102] FIG. 5 shows the cutting tool 10 from FIG. 1, with the difference that a plurality of cavities 12 are arranged in the drill head 18 and are configured so as to be closed. Thus, the connecting channels 30, the distribution chamber 28, the indicator source 34, and the supply rod 24 are omitted. Moreover, the cutting tool 10 from FIG. 5 contains the same components and features as already described in FIG. 1.

[0103] The cavities 12 shown in FIG. 5 are configured so as to be closed, as already described above. In other words, the cavities 12 are not cross-linked with one another.

[0104] The plurality of cavities 12 each contain an amount of the indicator substance (not shown here).

[0105] The indicator substance is preferably selected from the group consisting of dyes, pigments, soot, and luminescent paints, as well as combinations thereof.

[0106] FIG. 6 discloses the cutting tool 10 from FIG. 5 with a channel-like design of the cavity 12. Otherwise, FIG. 6 contains the same components as already described in FIG. 5.

[0107] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the drill head 18 from FIG. 5.

[0108] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the closed cavities 12 are each spaced apart from the outer contour 14 of the drill head 18 by a wear layer 16 having the thickness d.

[0109] The cavities 12 are also embedded in the cutting body 13.

[0110] The wear layer 16 corresponds to a wear limit of the cutting tool 10. In other words, if the wear layer is selected larger, the wear of the cutting tool 10 is indicated only after an extended period of operation. Conversely, if the wear layer 16 is reduced, the operating time after which wear is indicated is also reduced. Thus, depending on the application, a specific operating time of the cutting tool can be specified by the thickness d.

[0111] FIG. 8 shows a modular cutting tool 22.

[0112] The modular cutting tool 22 comprises a disposable drill head 18 that is attached to and engages with the shaft 20.

[0113] Moreover, the modular cutting tool 22 contains the same components as already described in FIG. 2. In this respect, reference is made to the descriptions of FIG. 2.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0114] 10 Cutting tool [0115] 12 Cavity [0116] 13 Cutting body [0117] 14 Outer contour [0118] 16 Wear layer [0119] 18 Drill head [0120] 20 Shaft [0121] 22 Modular cutting tool [0122] 24 Supply rod [0123] 26 Tool holder [0124] 28 Distribution chamber [0125] 30 Connecting channel [0126] 32 Inlet opening [0127] 34 Indicator source [0128] d Thickness of the wear layer