Algorithm for Detecting Load-Carrying Regions within the Tip Seat of an Indexable Cutting Tool

Maintaining an even pressure distribution in an indexable cutting tool interface is crucial to the life expectancy of a carbide insert. Avoiding uneven pressure distribution is highly relevant for intermittent cutting operations because two load cases arise for full immersion, inside and outside the cutting zone, which can cause alternating contact positioning. Current positioning methodologies, such as 3-2-1 principles, do not consider external mechanical forces, which must be considered for insert-tool body positioning designs. Therefore, this paper proposes an algorithm to calculate a contact index to aid in the design of locating schemes for the early design phases of insert-tool body interface design. The results indicate that it is possible to visualize where a contact condition needs to exist to give support based on the mechanical loads acting on the insert.