INDEXABLE DRILL ASSEMBLY WITH COOLANT SYSTEM

Abstract

An indexable drill insert includes a drill body having a central longitudinal rotational axis (CL), the drill body comprising a shank portion and a fluted cutting portion, the fluted cutting portion having a front clearance face and a plurality of flutes, the fluted cutting portion includes a central insert pocket capable of receiving a central cutting insert and a peripheral insert pocket capable of receiving a peripheral cutting insert. For the central cutting insert, a central, longitudinal axis of a projection of the flute coolant exit aperture can intersect a vertical plane (PA1) having an area (A1) or a horizontal plane (PB1) having an area (A2). For the peripheral cutting insert, the central, longitudinal axis of the projection can intersect a vertical plane (PA2) having an area (A3) or a horizontal plane (PB2) having an area (A4).

Claims

1. An indexable drill assembly, comprising: a drill body having a central longitudinal rotational axis (CO, the drill body comprising a shank portion and a fluted cutting portion, the fluted cutting portion having a front clearance face and a plurality of flutes, the fluted cutting portion includes a central insert pocket proximate the front clearance face and capable of receiving a central cutting insert, the fluted cutting portion also including a peripheral insert pocket proximate the front clearance face and capable of receiving a peripheral cutting insert; and a coolant system comprising a plurality of primary coolant channels extending entirely through the shank portion and at least partially into the fluted cutting portion of the drill body, and one or more secondary flute coolant channels extending from one of the plurality of primary coolant channels and terminating at a flute coolant exit aperture formed in one of the plurality of flutes, wherein a central, longitudinal axis of a projection of the flute coolant exit aperture intersects one of the following: 1) a first vertical plane (PA1) having an area (A1) defined by the following equation: $A1=\left(\mathrm{CL}1*\text{?}\right))*(\left(\mathrm{CL}1/\text{?}\right)*\text{?}\text{?}\text{indicates text missing or illegible when filed}$ where, CL1 is a cutting length of the central cutting insert in a lateral direction; 2) a first horizontal plane (PB1) having an area (A2) defined by the following equation: $A2=\left(\mathrm{CL}1*\text{?}\right)*\left(\mathrm{IC}1/\text{?}\right)\text{?}\text{indicates text missing or illegible when filed}$ where, CL1 is the cutting length of the central cutting insert in the lateral direction, and IC1 is a diameter of an inscribed circle (IC) of the central cutting insert; 3) a second vertical plane (PA2) having an area (A3) defined by the following equation: $A3=\left(\mathrm{CL}2*\text{?}\right)*\left(\left(\mathrm{CL}2*\text{?}\right)*\text{?}\right)),\text{?}\text{indicates text missing or illegible when filed}$ where, CL2 is a cutting length of the peripheral cutting insert in a lateral direction; and 4) a second horizontal plane (PB2) having an area (A4) defined by the following equation: $A4=\left(\mathrm{CL}2*\text{?}\right)*\left(\mathrm{IC}2/\text{?}\right),\text{?}\text{indicates text missing or illegible when filed}$ where, CL2 is the cutting length of the peripheral cutting insert in the lateral direction, and IC2 is a diameter of an inscribed circle (IC) of the peripheral cutting insert (200).

2. The indexable drill assembly of claim 1, wherein the first vertical plane (PA1) is collinear with respect to a first reference plane (RP1), the first reference plane (RP1) contacting a first cutting point of the central cutting insert and is perpendicular with respect to the central, longitudinal rotational axis (CO, wherein a base of the first vertical plane (PAI) lies on or is above a third reference plane (RP3), the third reference plane (RP3) contacting an active cutting edge of the central cutting insert and is parallel with respect to the central, longitudinal rotational axis (CL).

3. The indexable drill assembly of claim 2, wherein the first vertical plane (PA1) extends radially outward from a thin web region of the indexable drill assembly for a distance equal to one-half the diameter of the inscribed circle (IC1) of the central cutting insert.

4. The indexable drill assembly of claim 1, wherein the first horizontal plane (PB1) is collinear with respect to a third reference plane (RP3), the third reference plane (RP3) contacting a first cutting point of the central cutting insert and is parallel with respect to the central, longitudinal rotational axis (C.sub.L), wherein a base of the first horizontal plane (PB1) lies on or is above a first reference plane (RP1), the first reference plane (RP1) contacting an active cutting edge of the central cutting insert and is perpendicular with respect to the central, longitudinal rotational axis (C.sub.L).

5. The indexable drill assembly of claim 4, wherein the first horizontal plane (PB1) extends radially outward from a thin web region of the indexable drill assembly for a distance equal to one-half the diameter of the inscribed circle (IC1) of the central cutting insert.

6. The indexable drill assembly of claim 1, wherein the second vertical plane (PA2) is collinear with respect to a second reference plane (RP2), the second reference plane (RP2) contacting a first cutting point of the peripheral cutting insert and is perpendicular with respect to the central, longitudinal rotational axis (CO, wherein a base of the second vertical plane (PA2) lies on or is above a fourth reference plane (RP4), the fourth reference plane (RP4) contacting an active cutting edge of the peripheral cutting insert and is parallel with respect to the central, longitudinal rotational axis (C.sub.L).

7. The indexable drill assembly of claim 6, wherein the second vertical plane (PA2) extends radially outward from a thin web region of the indexable drill assembly for a distance equal to one-half the diameter of the inscribed circle (IC2) of the peripheral cutting insert.

8. The indexable drill assembly of claim 1, wherein the second horizontal plane (PB2) is collinear with respect to a fourth reference plane (RP4), the fourth reference plane (RP4) contacting a first cutting point of the peripheral cutting insert and is parallel with respect to the central, longitudinal rotational axis (C.sub.L), wherein a base of the second horizontal plane (PB2) lies on or is above a second reference plane (RP2), the second reference plane (RP2) contacting an active cutting edge of the peripheral cutting insert and is perpendicular with respect to the central, longitudinal rotational axis (C.sub.L).

9. The indexable drill assembly of claim 4, wherein the second horizontal plane (PB2) extends radially outward from a thin web region of the indexable drill assembly for a distance equal to one-half the diameter of the inscribed circle (IC2) of the peripheral cutting insert.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] While various embodiments of the invention are illustrated, the particular embodiments shown should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of this invention.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of a drill assembly comprising a drill body with a central cutting insert mounted in a central pocket of the drill body and a peripheral cutting insert mounted in a peripheral pocket of the drill body according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is another side view of a drill assembly of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drill assembly of FIG. 1 with a coolant system (shown in phantom);

[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the coolant system of the drill assembly of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the drill assembly of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the drill assembly showing the projections of the flute coolant exit apertures and the projections of the front clearance face coolant exit apertures according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 7 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the drill assembly showing the central, longitudinal axis of the projection for central cutting insert intersecting a vertical plane or a horizontal plane having an area defined by the cutting length in a lateral direction for a central cutting insert according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view of drill assembly showing the area and position of the vertical plane that is intersected by the projection of the flute coolant exit aperture for the central cutting insert according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 9 is an enlarged top view of drill assembly showing the area and position of a horizontal plane that is intersected by the projection of the flute coolant exit aperture for the central cutting insert according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 10 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the drill assembly showing the central, longitudinal axis of the projection for peripheral cutting insert intersecting a vertical plane or a horizontal plane having an area defined by the cutting length in a lateral direction for a peripheral cutting insert according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of drill assembly showing the area and position of the vertical plane that is intersected by the projection of the flute coolant exit aperture for the peripheral cutting insert according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 12 is an enlarged top view of drill assembly showing the area and position of a horizontal plane that is intersected by the projection of the flute coolant exit aperture for the peripheral cutting insert according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Below are illustrations and explanations for a version of a cutting tool, such as an orbital drill, and the like, with both right-handed helical or spiral flutes and left-handed helical or spiral flutes for machining a workpiece (not shown) made of multiple materials. However, it is noted that the cutting tool may be configured to suit any specific application, such as reaming, end milling, and the like, and is not limited only to the example in the illustrations.

[0031] The description herein of specific applications should not be a limitation on the scope and extent of the use of the cutting tool.

[0032] Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, left, right, front, back, top, bottom and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein. Identical parts are provided with the same reference number in all drawings.

[0033] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about”, “approximately”, and “substantially”, are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

[0034] Throughout the text and the claims, use of the word “about” in relation to a range of values (e.g., “about 22 to 35 wt %”) is intended to modify both the high and low values recited, and reflects the penumbra of variation associated with measurement, significant figures, and interchangeability, all as understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0035] For purposes of this specification (other than in the operating examples), unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities and ranges of ingredients, process conditions, etc., are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about”.

[0036] Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in this specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired results sought to be obtained by the invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Further, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include plural referents, unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.

[0037] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements including that found in the measuring instrument. Also, it should be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” is intended to include all sub-ranges between and including the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, i.e., a range having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10. Because the disclosed numerical ranges are continuous, they include every value between the minimum and maximum values. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, the various numerical ranges specified in this application are approximations.

[0038] In the following specification and the claims, a number of terms are referenced that have the following meanings.

[0039] The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0040] “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.

[0041] As defined herein, the term “vertical” is defined as being substantially perpendicular to a central, longitudinal axis, CL, of the cutting tool.

[0042] As defined herein, the term “horizontal” is defined as being substantially parallel to the central, longitudinal axis, CL, of the cutting tool.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a rotary cutting tool 10, such as an indexable drill assembly, and the like, is shown according to an embodiment of the invention. The indexable drill assembly 10 includes a drill body 12 having a generally cylindrical shank portion 14 at one end, a fluted cutting portion 16 at an opposite end. A flange portion 18 may be disposed between the cylindrical shank portion 14 and the fluted cutting portion 16. The drill body 12 rotates in the direction of the arrow about a central, longitudinal axis, CL.

[0044] The fluted cutting portion 16 includes a front clearance face 20 and a plurality of flutes 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluted cutting portion 16 includes two flutes 22, but any other suitable number of flutes may be used. For example, there may be one, three, four, five or more flutes. In addition, the flutes 22 may be helical (or twisted) or straight. The fluted cutting portion 16 includes a central insert pocket 24 proximate the front clearance face 20. The central insert pocket 24 is structured and arranged to receive a central cutting insert 100 having a cutting length, CL1, in a lateral direction. Similarly, the fluted cutting portion also includes a peripheral insert pocket 26 structured and arranged to receive a peripheral cutting insert 200 having a cutting length, CL2. An insert screw 28 can be used to mount the central cutting insert 100 and the peripheral cutting insert 200 in the central insert pocket 24 and the peripheral insert pocket 26, respectively.

[0045] The drill body 12 may be made of any suitable material, such as steel, stainless steel or any other material having sufficient strength. The drill body 12 may be fabricated by any suitable technique, such as machining to provide the insert pockets and flutes.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the width and location of the central cutting insert 100 and the peripheral cutting insert 200 are selected to allow the operational cutting ranges of the cutting inserts to overlap during rotation of the drill body 12. In one embodiment, the orientation and length of the plurality of cutting edges are selected to provide substantially equal cutting to be performed by the central cutting insert 100 and the peripheral cutting insert 200. In another embodiment, the peripheral insert pocket 26 and the peripheral cutting insert 200 are structured and arranged to allow the central cutting insert 100 to make first contact with a workpiece (not shown).

[0047] The central and peripheral cutting inserts 100, 200 may be made of any suitable material, such as tool steels, cemented carbides, and superhard material, such as cubic boron nitride (CBN), polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN), polycrystalline diamonds (PCD), tungsten carbide (WC), cermet, ceramic, and the like. The central and peripheral cutting inserts 100, 200 of the present invention may be fabricated by any suitable technique, such as carbide powder pressing, grinding or additive manufacturing to provide a plurality of cutting edges (not shown) as is known in the art.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the drill assembly 10 includes a coolant system 30 comprising a plurality of primary coolant channels 32 extending entirely through the shank portion 14 and at least partially into the fluted cutting portion 16 of the drill body 12. In one embodiment, the total number of primary coolant channels 32 correspond to the total number of flutes 22. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the drill assembly 10 has a total of two flutes 22 and a total of two primary coolant channels 32. The primary coolant channels 32 may be formed substantially parallel with respect to the central, longitudinal axis, CL. In other words, the primary coolant channels 32 are formed at an angle, A, equal to zero degrees with to the central, longitudinal axis, CL. In another embodiment, the primary coolant channels 32 may be formed at an angle, A, not equal to zero degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis, CL. It may be noted that the primary coolant channels 32 are helically formed in the fluted cutting portion 16 because the drill assembly 10 has helical flutes 22. It should also be noted that the helix angle of the primary coolant channels 32 may be substantially equal to or slightly different than the helix angle of the flutes 22. However, it will be appreciated that the primary coolant channels 32 may be substantially straight or slightly skewed or angled in the case where the drill assembly 10 has straight flutes, rather than helical flutes.

[0049] The coolant system 30 also comprises one or more secondary coolant channels 34 that branch from one of the primary coolant channels 32. In the illustrated embodiment, each primary coolant channel 32 branches into two secondary coolant channels 34; one secondary coolant channel 34 terminating at a flute coolant exit aperture 36 formed in the flute 22, and the other secondary coolant channel 34 terminating at a front clearance face coolant exit aperture 38 formed in the front clearance face 20. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment in which the drill assembly 10 has a total of two flutes 22, the drill assembly 10 has a total of four coolant exit apertures 36, 38 (i.e., two flute coolant exit apertures 36 and two front clearance face coolant exit apertures 38). It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited by the number of coolant exit apertures, and that the invention can be practiced with any desirable number of coolant exit apertures 36, 38, depending on the number of flutes 22.

[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the flute coolant exit aperture 36 produces a projection 40 of coolant having a central, longitudinal axis 42. Similarly, the front clearance face coolant exit aperture 38 produces a projection 44 of coolant having a central, longitudinal axis 46. It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited by the geometric shape of the exit apertures 36, 38 and corresponding projections 40, 42, and that the invention can be practiced with exit apertures 36, 38 having any desired geometric shape, such as circular, oval, triangular, rectangular, and the like.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, one aspect of the invention is that a central, longitudinal axis 42 of a projection 40 of the flute coolant exit aperture 36 for the central cutting insert 100 can be designed to intersect a vertical plane, PA1, having a first area, A1, defined by a base (i.e., x-dimension) times a height (i.e., y-dimension). In other words: A1 =base * height. For the central cutting insert 100, the first area, A1, can be defined by the following equation:

[00005]$\begin{array}{cc}A1=\left(\mathrm{CL}1*\text{?}\right)*\left(\left(\mathrm{CL}1/\text{?}\right)*\text{?}\right)\text{?}\text{indicates text missing or illegible when filed}& \left(\mathrm{Eq}.1\right)\end{array}$

where, CL1 is a cutting length (mm) of the central cutting insert 100 in a lateral direction (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0052] As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the vertical plane, PA1, is collinear with a first reference plane, RP1, that lies on the first cutting point for the active cutting edge of the central cutting insert 100 and is substantially perpendicular to the central, longitudinal rotational axis, CL. As is known in the art, the first cutting point is the location at which the active cutting edge first engages the workpiece. In addition, the vertical plane, PA1, extends radially outward from a thin web region 52 of the indexable drill assembly 10. The base or x-dimension (i.e., CL1*0.85) of the vertical plane, PA1, lies on or above a third reference plane, RP3, and has a height or y-dimension equal to (CL1/square root 2)+1.2 mm. The third reference plane, RP3, lies on the active cutting edge of the central cutting insert 100 and is substantially parallel to the central, longitudinal rotational axis, CL.

[0053] In one embodiment, the base or x-dimension of the vertical plane, PA1, lies at the intersection between the first reference plane, RP1, and the third reference plane, RP3. In the case where both reference planes RP1 and RP3 lie on the active cutting edge, and the vertical plane, PA1, lies at the intersection between the two reference planes, the base or x-dimension of the vertical plane, PA1, will also lie on the active cutting edge of the central cutting insert 100.

[0054] As a result of the position of the vertical plane, PA1, the coolant emitted from the flute coolant exit aperture 36 provides superior cooling to both the active cutting edge of the central cutting insert 100 and a thin web region 52 of the indexable drill assembly 10.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, another aspect of the invention is that the central, longitudinal axis 42 of the projection 40 of the flute coolant exit aperture 36 for the central cutting insert 100 can be designed to intersect a horizontal plane, PB1, having a second area, A2, defined by a base (i.e., x-dimension) times a height (i.e., z-dimension). In other words: A2=base * height. It should be noted that the vertical plane, PA1, is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane, PB1. For the central cutting insert 100, the second area, A2, is defined by the following equation:

[00006]$\begin{array}{cc}A2=\left(\mathrm{CL}1*\text{?}\text{?}*\mathrm{IC}1/\text{?}\right)\text{?}\text{indicates text missing or illegible when filed}& \left(\mathrm{Eq}.2\right)\end{array}$

where,

[0056] CL1 is the cutting length (mm) of the central cutting insert 100 in a lateral direction, and

IC1 is a diameter of the inscribed circle (IC) of the central cutting insert 100.

[0057] The horizontal plane, PB1, is collinear with a fourth reference plane, RP4, that lies on the first cutting point for the active cutting edge of the central cutting insert 100 and is substantially parallel to the central, longitudinal rotational axis, CL. In addition, the horizontal plane, PB1, extends radially outward from the thin web region 52 of the indexable drill assembly 10. The base or x-dimension (i.e., CL1*0.85) of the horizontal plane, PB1, lies on or above the first reference plane, RP1, and has a height or z-dimension equal to one-half a diameter of an inscribed circle, IC, of the central cutting insert 100 (i.e., IC1/2). Alternatively, the base or x-dimension of the horizontal plane, PB1, lies at the intersection between the first reference plane, RP1, and the third reference plane, RP3. As a result of the position of the horizontal plane, PB1, the coolant emitted from the flute coolant exit aperture 36 provides superior cooling to both the active cutting edge of the central cutting insert 100 and the thin web region 52 of the indexable drill assembly 10.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 10, the central, longitudinal axis 42 of a projection 40 of the flute coolant exit aperture 36 for the peripheral cutting insert 200 can be designed to intersect a vertical plane, PA2, having a third area, A3, defined by a base (i.e., x-dimension) times a height (i.e., y-dimension). For the peripheral cutting insert 200, the third area, A3, can be defined by the following equation:

[00007]$\begin{array}{cc}A3=\left(\mathrm{CL}2*\text{?}\right)*\left(\left(\mathrm{CL}2*\text{?}\right)*\text{?}\right))\text{?}\text{indicates text missing or illegible when filed}& \left(\mathrm{Eq}.3\right)\end{array}$

where,

[0059] CL2 is a cutting length (mm) of the peripheral cutting insert 200 in the lateral direction (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0060] As seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the vertical plane, PA2, is collinear with a second reference plane, RP2, that lies on the first cutting point for the active cutting edge of the peripheral cutting insert 200 and is substantially perpendicular to the central, longitudinal rotational axis, CL. The base or x-dimension (i.e., CL2*0.85) of the vertical plane, PA2, lies on or above a fourth reference plane, RP4, and has a height or y-dimension equal to (CL2*0.6)+0.5 mm. The fourth reference plane, RP4, lies on the active cutting edge of the peripheral cutting insert 200 and is substantially parallel to the central, longitudinal rotational axis, CL. In addition, the first vertical plane, PA2, extends radially outward from the thin web region 52 of the indexable drill assembly 10.

[0061] In one embodiment, the base or x-dimension of the vertical plane, PA2, lies at the intersection between the second reference plane, RP2, and the fourth reference plane, RP4. In the case where both reference planes RP3and RP4 lie on the active cutting edge, and the vertical plane, PA2, lies at the intersection between the two reference planes, the base or x-dimension of the vertical plane, PA2, will also lie on the active cutting edge of the peripheral cutting insert 200.

[0062] As a result of the position of the vertical plane, PA2, the coolant emitted from the flute coolant exit aperture 36 provides superior cooling to both the active cutting edge of the peripheral cutting insert 200 and the thin web region 52 of the indexable drill assembly 10.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the central, longitudinal axis 42 of the projection 40 of the flute coolant exit aperture 36 for the peripheral cutting insert 200 can be designed to intersect a horizontal plane, PB2, having a fourth area, A4, defined by a base (i.e., x-dimension) times a height (i.e., y-dimension). In other words, A4=base * height. For the peripheral cutting insert 200, the fourth area, A4, can be defined by the following equation:

[00008]$\begin{array}{cc}A4=\left(\mathrm{CL}2*\text{?}\right)*\left(\mathrm{IC}2/2\right)\text{?}\text{indicates text missing or illegible when filed}& \left(\mathrm{Eq}.4\right)\end{array}$

where,

[0064] CL2 is the cutting length (mm) of the peripheral cutting insert 200 in a lateral direction, and IC2 is a diameter (mm) of the inscribed circle (IC) of the peripheral cutting insert 200.

[0065] The horizontal plane, PB2, is collinear with the fourth reference plane, RP4, that lies on the first cutting point for the active cutting edge of the peripheral cutting insert 200 and is substantially parallel to the central, longitudinal rotational axis, CL. In addition, the horizontal plane, PB2, extends radially outward from the thin web region 52 of the indexable drill assembly 10. The base or x-dimension (i.e., CL1*0.85) of the horizontal plane, PB2, lies on or above the second reference plane, RP2, and has a height or z-dimension equal to IC2/2. Alternatively, the base or x-dimension of the horizontal plane, PB2, lies at the intersection between the second reference plane, RP2, and the fourth reference plane, RP4. As a result of the position of the horizontal plane, PB2, the coolant emitted from the flute coolant exit aperture 36 provides superior cooling to both the active cutting edge of the central cutting insert 100 and the thin web region 52 of the indexable drill assembly 10.

[0066] As described above, the projection 40 of the flute coolant exit apertures 36 and the projection 44 of the front clearance face coolant exit apertures 38 of the indexable drill 10 significantly reduce excessive heat generation due to chip rubbing. As a result, failure of the drill body 12 at the thin web region 52 is avoided, thereby increasing tool life without significantly increasing cost of manufacture. In addition, the flow of chips is enhanced as compared to conventional indexable drills, thereby reducing noise level. Further, the front clearance face coolant exits 38 improve the supply of coolant to the cutting edges of the cutting inserts 100, 200, thereby increasing the life of the cutting inserts 100, 200. Overall, a more consistent hole size is achieved by the indexable drill assembly 10 of the invention.

[0067] The patents and publications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0068] Having described presently preferred embodiments the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims.