Interchangeable cutting inserts and methods associated with the same

Abstract

A cutting insert configured to couple to a pipe machining apparatus is provided and includes a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge opposite the first cutting edge. A pipe cutting assembly is provided and includes a first base, a second base separate from the first base, and a cutting insert interchangeably couplable to the first base and the second base to perform a first cut with the cutting insert coupled to the first base and a second cut with the cutting insert coupled to the second base. A pipe machining apparatus is provided and includes a tool support, a first cutting tool base and a second cutting tool base interchangeably coupled to the tool support, and a cutting insert interchangeably coupled to the first cutting tool base and the second cutting tool base.

1 . A cutting insert configured to be coupled to a pipe machining apparatus to cut a pipe, the cutting insert comprising:
 a first cutting edge;   a second cutting edge opposite the first cutting edge;   a third edge extending between the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge; and   a fourth edge opposite the third edge and extending between the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge.   
     
     
         2 . The cutting insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge are generally parallel to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The cutting insert of  claim 2 , wherein the third edge and the fourth edge are generally parallel to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The cutting insert of  claim 1 , wherein the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge are not perpendicular to the third and fourth edges. 
     
     
         5 . The cutting insert of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling aperture defined through the cutting insert. 
     
     
         6 . The cutting insert of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting insert is configured to be coupled to a base of a cutting tool in a first orientation, in which the first cutting edge is positioned to cut a pipe, and a second orientation, in which the second cutting edge is positioned to cut a pipe. 
     
     
         7 . The cutting insert of  claim 6 , wherein the third edge is configured to engage the base with the cutting insert in the first orientation and the fourth edge is configured to engage the base with the cutting insert in the second orientation. 
     
     
         8 . A pipe cutting assembly comprising:
 a first base;   a second base separate from the first base; and   a cutting insert including a cutting edge configured to cut a pipe, wherein the cutting insert interchangeably couples to the first base and the second base, and wherein the cutting insert is configured to perform a first cut with the cutting insert coupled to the first base and a second cut with the cutting insert coupled to the second base, wherein the first cut is different than the second cut.   
     
     
         9 . The pipe cutting assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first cut is a first bevel cut at a first angle and the second cut is a second bevel cut at a second angle different than the first angle. 
     
     
         10 . The pipe cutting assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first angle is about 30 degrees and the second angle is about 37.5 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The pipe cutting assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first base includes a first coupling aperture, the second base includes a second coupling aperture and the cutting insert includes an insert aperture, the pipe cutting assembly further comprising
 a coupling member interchangeably insertable into
 the insert aperture and the first coupling aperture when aligned to interchangeably couple the cutting insert to the first base, and 
 the insert aperture and the second coupling aperture when aligned to interchangeably couple the cutting insert to the second base. 
   
     
     
         12 . The pipe cutting assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first base includes a first lip and a first surface on the first lip, and wherein the second base includes a second lip and a second surface on the second lip, wherein the cutting insert engages the first surface on the first lip when coupled to the first base and engages the second surface on the second lip when coupled to the second base. 
     
     
         13 . The pipe cutting assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the first surface extends at a first angle and the second surface extends at a second angle different than the first angle, and wherein the cutting edge is orientated at a first cutting angle with the cutting insert coupled to the first base and at a second cutting angle with the cutting insert coupled to the second base. 
     
     
         14 . The pipe cutting assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the cutting edge is a first cutting edge, the cutting insert further includes a second cutting edge. 
     
     
         15 . The pipe cutting assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the cutting insert is made of a first material and at least one of the first base and the second base is made of a second material different than the first material. 
     
     
         16 . A pipe machining apparatus comprising:
 a frame;   a tool carrier moveably coupled to the frame;   a tool support coupled to and moveable with the tool carrier;   a first cutting tool base configured to be coupled to the tool support;   a second cutting tool base configured to be coupled to the tool support, wherein the first cutting tool base and the second cutting tool base are interchangeably coupled to the tool support;   a cutting insert interchangeably coupled to the first cutting tool base and the second cutting tool base, wherein the cutting insert includes a cutting edge, and wherein the cutting insert is oriented in a first orientation to perform a first cut with the cutting insert coupled to the first cutting tool base and in a second orientation to perform a second cut with the cutting insert coupled to the second cutting tool base, wherein the first cut is different than the second cut.   
     
     
         17 . The pipe machining apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first cut is a first bevel cut at a first angle and the second cut is a second bevel cut at a second angle different than the first angle. 
     
     
         18 . The pipe machining apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first angle is about 30 degrees and the second angle is about 37.5 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The pipe machining apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first cutting tool base includes a first lip and a first surface on the first lip, and wherein the second cutting tool base includes a second lip and a second surface on the second lip, wherein the cutting insert engages the first surface on the first lip when coupled to the first cutting tool base and engages the second surface on the second lip when coupled to the second cutting tool base. 
     
     
         20 . The pipe machining apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first surface extends at a first angle and the second surface extends at a second angle different than the first angle, and wherein the cutting edge is orientated at a first cutting angle with the cutting insert coupled to the first cutting tool base and at a second cutting angle with the cutting insert coupled to the second cutting tool base. 
     
     
         21 . The pipe machining apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the cutting edge is a first cutting edge, the cutting insert further includes a second cutting edge. 
     
     
         22 . The pipe machining apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the cutting insert is made of a first material and at least one of the first cutting tool base and the second cutting tool base is made of a second material different than the first material. 
     
     
         23 . The pipe machining apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first cutting tool base defines a first coupling aperture, the second cutting tool base defines a second coupling aperture, and the cutting insert defines an insert aperture, the pipe machining apparatus further comprising a coupling member interchangeably insertable into the insert aperture and the first coupling aperture when aligned to interchangeably couple the cutting insert to the first cutting tool base and into the insert aperture and the second coupling aperture when aligned to interchangeably couple the cutting insert to the second cutting tool base.