Questions with ISCAR USA’s Robert Navarrete

1. What are the advantages of using Dovetail pocketed tools?

There are many variables to take into consideration when it comes to machining. The machine connection, rigidity, part profile, material condition, programming methods, and harmonics to name a few. Controlling harmonics or vibrations is crucial. Vibrations can be detrimental to insert life, productivity, profitability, and can potentially scrap parts. As a market-leading cutting tool company, we want to help companies control the manufacturing process. One thing ISCAR has done is design inserts with dovetail pocketing tools.

Dovetail pocketing on cutting tools dramatically decreases insert movement while cutting forces are being applied. For example, ISCAR has done clamping displacement analysis on a typical CNMM insert with a standard top clamp. With the standard top clamp, you’ll typically see displacement of 0.003". Which doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re machining critical components and tight tolerances, 0.003" can be the difference between shipping product or scrapping parts. ISCAR ran the same clamping displacement analysis on one of our dovetail pocket style inserts that’s combined with a lever clamping mechanism known as the DoveIQTurn. The secure clamping of the dovetail design itself along with the lever locking mechanism, resulted in only 0.0002" clamping displacement.

We won’t completely eliminate vibrations, but we can minimize them. The secure dovetail pocket design prevents the insert from lifting and significantly decreases the movement of the insert while it’s engaged in a cut. At the microscopic level, when vibration is present, the insert bounces off the workpiece, damaging the insert and the part being machined. This diminishes tool life and lowers the surface quality of the freshly machined surface. Rigid dovetail clamping equals less vibration. With less vibration, we can increase the insert’s life, minimize chatter – which will provide a better surface finish – and allow room to increase the cutting parameters which also means increased productivity.

2. What options are available from ISCAR?

ISCAR has a product line branded Logiq4Turn, a double-sided positive insert with a 7° clearance. This unique design is similar to a CCMT, however, instead of 2 cutting edges, we can press 4 cutting edges on a positive insert. The Logiq4Turn has a dovetail on the insert, opposing dovetail on the tool holder, and lever lock clamping system which pulls the insert to the back of the pocket. This eliminates reliance on the screw to hold the insert in place. This also removes the need for a top clamp, giving us an unobstructed rake face for uninterrupted chip flow. In through-coolant instances, no top clamp interference allows pinpoint coolant delivery. This will improve insert life, provide better chip evacuation, and profitability.

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