Rotary cutter having expanded cutting ring

摘要

Disclosed herein is a rotary cutter for cutting gears and the like. The rotary cutter has an axis of rotation and comprises a disc-shaped cutter head having a circumferential edge surface. The cutter head further includes an inner wall surface located radially inwardly with respect to the edge surface and being concentric about and extending parallel to the axis of rotation. The rotary cutter further includes a cutter ring located on the cutter head. The cutter ring has at least one stock removing surface located on a base portion with the base portion having an inside ring surface, an outside ring surface, and a base surface with the outside ring surface being perpendicular to the base surface. The cutter ring is in a radially expanded condition whereby the outside ring surface is seated against the inner wall surface of the cutter head and the base surface is seated against the first surface of the cutter head. The cutter ring is expanded by an expanding means located within the cutter ring and contacting the inside ring surface. The expanding means effects and maintains the cutter ring in a radially expanded position whereby the cutter ring is centered on the cutter head concentrically about the axis of rotation.