Parametric and associative design of cartridges for special tools

Presents work on the design of special rotary tools using CAD systems. Special tools are used for the simultaneous machining of several parts in the same workpiece, with only one feed motion. The reduction in the number of tool-changes is the main advantage using them. Special rotary tools have a modular feature, and the cutting edges are assembled onto small holders called cartridges. Taking into account the importance of defining the cartridge geometry, it seems to be necessary to point out all the steps followed in the design process as well as those concerning their suitable location and orientation. On the one hand, one needs to make a parametric design of the ISO standard cartridges so that all the sizes and types of cartridges can be obtained from a few basic models. Each cartridge is built joining several solids together: an insert, the cartridge body and the axial adjusting screw. On the other hand, it is necessary to have in mind the location and orientation of the cartridge. With this aim, the cartridge geometry is attached to three points, two of these represent the tool axis direction and the third one is a point on the work surface profile. These three points define the tool reference plane from which all the whole cartridge geometry is generated.