INDIRECT COOLING OF A CUTTING TOOL

摘要

A cutting tool having a cutting element such as an insert is cooled indirectly by a micro-channel heat exchanger that is mounted against the rear face of the insert. The heat exchanger is formed with an internal cavity that receives a coolant such as a cryogen. The cavity may include fins to enhance the removal of heat by the cryogen from the insert. Coolant inlet and outlet tubes are coupled to the interior of the heat exchanger to supply cryogen to the cavity. The flow rate of cryogen required to cool the insert during a given machining operation is less than one percent of the amount of standard coolant required to cool the same insert during the same machining operation.