Patent attributes
An insert retention screw has a head with a radius that is a sufficient size to fit within a mounting hole of a cutting insert and seat within a seating plane within the mounting hole that is generally perpendicular to the axis of the insert when the screw is at an angle in a range of about 0–15 degrees. The retention screw is provided for holding a cutting insert in the pocket of a tool body. The pocket is partially defined by a floor and a seating surface. A threaded hole is at an angle that is taken with reference to the pocket floor. The insert has a mounting hole passing therethrough. The retention screw passes through the mounting hole and threads into the threaded hole so as to draw the insert against the seating surface. Orienting the insert retention screw at an angle is accomplished by selecting a tool body and a cutting insert, determining the frictional force between the tool body and cutting insert, and determining an angle for the retention screw, wherein a force component of the retention screw is greater than or equal to the frictional force between the tool body and the cutting insert.