The preparation of cutting edges using a marking laser

During the machining process, high mechanical and thermal loads occur at the cutting edge. Such loads can cause tool failure. Specifically non-uniform and sharp cutting edges that have a low cutting edge stability lead to such failures. In order to enhance the tool performance, the cutting edges are prepared by manufacturing both a pre-defined cutting edge geometry, and an appropriate cutting edge roughness. This paper describes the use of a low-cost marking laser for the preparation of cutting edges as an alternative to conventional preparation techniques, such as brushing or blasting. Cutting edge radii of 9?C47 ??m can be prepared with a machining accuracy of 1.5 ??m. The maximum preparation time for an individual cutting edge is approximately 10 s. Uncoated indexable inserts manufactured in this way were tested in a face milling operation. The results of these investigations (using prepared cutting edges) show both an increase in tool life and an improved surface roughness of the machined workpieces compared to those using non-prepared cutting edges.     

Influence of asymmetric cutting edge roundings on surface topography

For finishing operations in machining, hardened steel hard turning can compete with grinding operations by means of accuracy and productivity. In the past research focussed on the effect of process parameters and tool macro geometry on the resulting surface roughness. Recent investigations show, that the cutting edge micro geometry is an important factor to influence surface quality. The knowledge generated by new methods displays the importance of asymmetric cutting edge roundings on cutting forces, chip formation and tool life. It is known, that chip formation also affects the resulting surface quality. Therefore, this paper investigates the effect of asymmetric cutting edge roundings on the resulting surface roughness in hard turning of roller bearing inner rings. Cutting tests with differently shaped cutting edges and two different feed values are conducted. The resulting surface roughness is measured. The consequent surface quality is explained by geometric coherences between uncut chip thickness and stresses along the cutting edge and the effect of material side flow. It is found, that the cutting edge geometry and the resulting stress distribution around the cutting edge affects the generated surface quality.     

Influence of cutting edge radius on cutting forces in machining titanium

The performance of machining titanium can be enhanced by using cutting tools with rounded cutting edges. In order to better understand the influence of rounded cutting edges and to improve the modelling of the machining process, their impact on active force components including ploughing forces and tool face friction is analysed. This paper presents experimental results of orthogonal turning tests conducted on Ti-6Al-4V with different cutting edge radii and changing cutting speeds and feeds. As an accurate characterisation method for the determination of the cutting edge radius is prerequisite for this analysis, a new algorithm is described which reduces uncertainties of existing methods.     

Magneto-abrasive machining for the mechanical preparation of high-speed steel twist drills

In this paper investigations of the influence of magneto-abrasive machining (MAM) on the micro-geometry of the tool cutting edges and the surface quality of high-speed steel (HSS) twist drills are presented. It is shown that MAM makes it possible to reproduce defined radii of the cutting edges and corner edges of the drills and improves the tool surface quality. The optimally rounded cutting corner edge of the drill makes it possible to avoid the run-in period of the drill and increases the stability of the cutting edge substantially. This results in an improved wear behaviour and higher tool life of the drill.     

Process simulation using finite element method — prediction of cutting forces, tool stresses and temperatures in high-speed flat end milling

End milling of die/mold steels is a highly demanding operation because of the temperatures and stresses generated on the cutting tool due to high workpiece hardness. Modeling and simulation of cutting processes have the potential for improving cutting tool designs and selecting optimum conditions, especially in advanced applications such as high-speed milling. The main objective of this study was to develop a methodology for simulating the cutting process in flat end milling operation and predicting chip flow, cutting forces, tool stresses and temperatures using finite element analysis (FEA). As an application, machining of P-20 mold steel at 30 HRC hardness using uncoated carbide tooling was investigated. Using the commercially available software DEFORM-2D™, previously developed flow stress data of the workpiece material and friction at the chip–tool contact at high deformation rates and temperatures were used. A modular representation of undeformed chip geometry was used by utilizing plane strain and axisymmetric workpiece deformation models in order to predict chip formation at the primary and secondary cutting edges of the flat end milling insert. Dry machining experiments for slot milling were conducted using single insert flat end mills with a straight cutting edge (i.e. null helix angle). Comparisons of predicted cutting forces with the measured forces showed reasonable agreement and indicate that the tool stresses and temperatures are also predicted with acceptable accuracy. The highest tool temperatures were predicted at the primary cutting edge of the flat end mill insert regardless of cutting conditions. These temperatures increase wear development at the primary cutting edge. However, the highest tool stresses were predicted at the secondary (around corner radius) cutting edge.     

Electro-erosion edge honing of cutting tools

Sink EDM of fine features necessitates the application of several tool electrodes to sequentially generate the required geometry, due to the inevitable localized wear of the tool that rapidly rounds-off sharp edges. Be that as it may, this phenomenon can be exploited to hone sharp edges of electrically conducting cutting tools by sinking the cutting edge into an appropriate counterface material. This paper presents the proof-of-concept and operating characteristics of this innovative process. Robust edge geometry generation, and a significant improvement in the life of high speed steel tools consequent to such preparation of the cutting edge are demonstrated.     

A comparative study of the cutting forces in high speed machining of Ti–6Al–4V and Inconel 718 with a round cutting edge tool

Titanium alloy Ti–6Al–4V and nickel-based superalloy Inconel 718 have been widely employed in modern manufacturing. The published literature on high speed machining (HSM) of the two materials often involves different machining set-up, which makes it difficult to directly apply the research findings from one material to the other to select the most appropriate tool geometry and cutting conditions. A comparative experimental study of HSM of Ti–6Al–4V and Inconel 718 is conducted in this paper using the same machining set-up. The scope of this study is limited in high speed finish machining, where the tool edge geometry plays a significant role. The experimental set-up and the methods of measuring the cutting forces and the tool edge radius are introduced. A total of 40 orthogonal high speed tube-cutting tests were performed, involving five levels of cutting speeds and four levels of feed rates. Based on extensive experimental data, the similarities and differences between HSM of Ti–6Al–4V and Inconel 718 are quantitatively compared and qualitatively explained in terms of four quantities: (1) the cutting force F_c, (2) the thrust force F_t, (3) the resultant force R, and (4) the force ratio F_c/F_t. A total of 12 empirical regression relationships are obtained.     

圆弧面凹模刃口直边线切割加工工艺设计

利用慢走丝线切割编程原理以及机床上下异形加工功能的特点,实例分析如何采用偏移计算、添加补偿点、上下异形(锥度加工)等加工原理进行圆弧凹模刃口直边的加工,从而获得均匀的圆弧冲孔刃口直边,大大提高凹模刃口的使用寿命,降低模具加工费用,缩短模具制造周期。     

Behavior of the magnetic abrasive tool for cutting edge preparation of cemented carbide end mills

Magnetic abrasive processes combine characteristics of grinding and lapping. Due to deformable tool behavior, complex surface shapes and edges can be machined. Therefore, this process is predestined for preparation of drilled cutting tools. High quality finishing results require in depth process expertise. This paper focuses on the behavior of the magnetic abrasive tool taking Magnetfinish^® kinematics into account. Main characteristics of the magnetic abrasive tool behavior during finishing end mills of 12 mm diameter are reshaping and in-process densification of magnetic abrasive layer. Consequently, flute surface modifications occur only in the cutting edge surrounding area. Furthermore, in-process displacements of magnetic abrasive cause non-uniform cutting edge rounding. SEM images indicate abrasive motion along the cutting edge as the best method to obtain smooth cutting edge surface.     

Wettability and machinability study of pure aluminium towards uncoated and coated carbide cutting tool inserts

An investigation has been conducted to study wetting characteristics of aluminium towards different cutting tool materials for assessing the compatibility for dry machining of aluminum. For this purpose uncoated carbide (94%WC + 6%Co) and mono or multi-layer coated carbide tools with top coating of TiC, TiN, Al₂O₃ and diamond have been used. It was observed that aluminium had a tendency to wet uncoated carbide (94%WC + 6%Co) inserts. However, wetting was more pronounced when surface was enriched with cobalt. In contrast, wetting of aluminium was less when the WC content of the carbide tool surface increased. Coatings like TiC, TiN or Al₂O₃ could not show pure non-wetting characteristics for aluminium. The aluminium appeared to dissolve the coatings in different degrees. On the other hand, coating of diamond exhibited inertness towards aluminum leading to non-wetting behaviour. Turning test with aluminium indicated heavy material built up on uncoated (94%WC + 6%Co) tool. Built up edge formation could not be avoided when carbide inserts with a top coating of TiC, TiN, Al₂O₃ were engaged in machining of aluminium. However, the non-wetting characteristic of diamond coating was reflected during machining of aluminium. The chips slided smoothly over the rake face leaving no trace of edge built up.     

Influence of the Discharge Voltage during Pulse-Plasma Process on the Durability of Edges coated with Superhard Coatings

FOR obtainment of different wear-resistant coatingsdeposited on cutting edges made of sintered carbides anumber of CVD and PVD methods are applied[1,2].Individual methods allow to obtain in differenttemperatures hard coatings with similar chemicalcomposition but with various morphology andexploitation properties.Differences among mentionedproperties of coatings mainly result from coatingstructure,adhesion to substrate,hardness and frictionalproperties of coating.Structure of coatings result…     

Experimental investigation on cutting mechanism of laser sintered material using small ball end mill

This paper describes an experimental investigation on the cutting mechanism of laser sintered material using small ball end mill focusing on the temperature of the cutting edge. Sintered material was produced by irradiating a laser beam on a layer of loose fine SCM–Ni–Cu powder. Bulk carbon steel AISI 1055 was selected as reference steel. The influence of cutting conditions, tools diameter and unsintered metallic powder on the cutting edge temperature were examined. Comparison of the cutting edge temperature between the peripheral and surface milling were investigated. Investigations of the tool life and wear mechanisms in cutting the sintered material and AISI 1055 were also carried out. Results indicated that the cutting edge temperature for sintered material was higher than for bulk AISI 1055. Cutting at the outer surface of sintered material produced higher temperature than at the inner surface. The temperature of the cutting edge was greatly influenced by the cutting speed followed by depth of cut and feed per tooth. Cutting temperature for different tool's diameter was almost similar under the same rotational speeds and cutting conditions. Cutting tool temperature in peripheral milling was higher than in surface milling. Adhesion of the work material and chipping were the main wear mechanisms of the ball end mill in cutting sintered material.     

Minor cutting edge–workpiece interactions in drilling of an advanced nickel-based superalloy

Drilling is one of the key machining operations for manufacturing safety critical components that must comply with strict surface quality standards. The influence of major flank wear of drilling tools on workpiece surface quality has been well established; however, similar information concerning minor cutting edge is currently missing from literature. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis and discussions of the influence of the drill's minor cutting edge to workpiece surface integrity and residual stress distribution for RR1000, a newly developed nickel-based superalloy. These effects are critical to the acceptance of this new material in relation to tool geometry and machining strategies. The thickness of material drag in the hoop direction has been found to be the highest at the top and the least at the bottom of the hole, which is directly related to the contact duration between the minor cutting edge and workpiece surfaces; moreover this difference increased at higher levels of wear of the minor cutting edge. On-line process monitoring techniques have been employed to further understand the material drag phenomena, including feed force, torque and acoustic emission. Compressive axial and tensile hoop stresses at the surface of the holes have been measured as a function of depth and correlated both with metallurgical analysis of drilled surfaces and the process monitoring signals. It was found that the increased material drag associated with a worn tool resulted in compressive hoop surface residual stresses near the entrance hole in correspondence with trends in the processed acoustic emission signal. This work suggests that material drag increases with the duration of the minor cutting edge–workpiece interaction such that plastic deformation is the greatest near the drill entrance holes and that process monitoring of the degree of material drag in hoop direction can be practicable.     

Experimental studies of cutting force variation in face milling

The purpose of this paper is to present a developed cutting force model for multi-toothed cutting processes, including a complete set of parameters influencing the cutting force variation that has been shown to occur in face milling, and to analyse to what extent these parameters influence the total cutting force variation for a selected tool geometry. The scope is to model and analyse the cutting forces for each individual tooth on the tool, to be able to draw conclusions about how the cutting action for an individual tooth is affected by its neighbours.A previously developed cutting force model for multi-toothed cutting processes is supplemented with three new parameters; eccentricity of the spindle, continuous cutting edge deterioration and load inflicted tool deflection influencing the cutting force variation. A previously developed milling force sensor is used to experimentally analyse the cutting force variation, and to give input to the cutting force simulation performed with the developed cutting force model.The experimental results from the case studied in this paper show that there are mainly three factors influencing the cutting force variation for a tool with new inserts. Radial and axial cutting edge position causes approximately 50% of the force variation for the case studied in this paper. Approximately 40% arises from eccentricity and the remaining 10% is the result of spindle deflection during machining. The experimental results presented in this paper show a new type of cutting force diagrams where the force variation for each individual tooth when two cutting edges are engaged in the workpiece at the same time. The wear studies performed shows a redistribution of the individual main cutting forces dependent on the wear propagation for each tooth.     

PCD刀具加工有色金属的研究

本文主要研究PCD刀具加工有色金属时刃口及后刀面的刃磨质量对切削表面质量的影响。首先对PCD刀具切削有色金属模型进行了分析研究，然后分别采用金属结合剂金刚石砂轮、树脂结合剂金刚石砂轮和陶瓷结合剂金刚石砂轮刃磨出三把不同质量的PCD刀具进行了切削对比试验，并用扫描电镜对切削表面微观形貌进行了观察分析，发现加工有色金属时，PCD刀具后刀面与刃口刃磨质量对切削表面质量有着同等重要的影响作用。     

Prediction of cutting forces in three and five-axis ball-end milling with tool indentation effect

Simulation of multi-axis ball-end milling of dies, molds and aerospace parts with free-form surfaces is highly desirable in order to optimize the machining processes in virtual environment ahead of costly trials. This paper presents a mechanics model that predicts the cutting forces in feed (x), normal (y) and axial (z) directions by modeling the chip thickness distribution, and cutting and indentation mechanics. The shearing forces are based on commonly known cutting mechanics models. The indentation of the cutting edge into the work material is modeled analytically by considering elasto-plastic deformation of the work material pressed by a rigid cutting tool edge with a positive or negative rake angle. The distribution of chip thickness and geometry of indentation zone are evaluated by considering five-axis motion of the tool along the toolpath. The proposed model has been experimentally validated in plunge indentation, as well as in three and five-axis ball-end milling of free-form surfaces. The prediction of axial (z) cutting forces is shown to be improved significantly when the proposed indentation model is integrated into the mechanics of ball-end milling.     

Cutting temperature, tool wear, surface roughness and dimensional deviation in turning AISI-4037 steel under cryogenic condition

Machining of steel inherently generates high cutting temperature, which not only reduces tool life but also impairs the product quality. Conventional cutting fluids are ineffective in controlling the high cutting temperature and rapid tool wear. Further, they also deteriorate the working environment and lead to general environmental pollution. Cryogenic cooling is an environment friendly clean technology for desirable control of cutting temperature. The present work deals with experimental investigation in the role of cryogenic cooling by liquid nitrogen jet on cutting temperature, tool wear, surface finish and dimensional deviation in turning of AISI-4037 steel at industrial speed-feed combination by coated carbide insert. The results have been compared with dry machining and machining with soluble oil as coolant. The results of the present work indicate substantial benefit of cryogenic cooling on tool life, surface finish and dimensional deviation. This may be attributed mainly to the reduction in cutting zone temperature and favorable change in the chip–tool interaction. Further it was evident that machining with soluble oil cooling failed to provide any significant improvement in tool life, rather surface finish deteriorated.     

Analysis of the manufacturing chain of CVD diamond coated shaft type cutting tools

Hypereutectic aluminium silicon alloys, e.g. casted AlSi17Cu4Mg, are commonly used in the automotive and aeronautical industries. These alloys consist of hard, abrasive silicon particles in a soft aluminium matrix and thus place high mechanical loads on the tool during machining processes. Polycrystalline Diamond or CVD (chemical vapour deposition) diamond based cutting tools can be used for the high speed machining of these alloys due to their high hardness and wear resistance. Diamond thin film coatings of different film morphologies are commonly applied on cemented carbide tools using Hot Filament CVD. The distinguishing characteristic to other coatings is utmost hardness resulting in high resistance to abrasion, low tendency to adhesion and low friction coefficient. The manufacturing of CVD diamond coated shaft type cutting tools is challenging due to the complex design of the cutting edges and the demanding stress behaviour during tool application. The influencing parameters of substrate type, chemical and mechanical substrate pre-treatment as well as diamond film modification on the tool cutting performance are discussed. The manufacturing route of CVD diamond coated thread milling drills is analysed with the use of material and tribological tests. The complex thread manufacturing tools are then applied in the machining of AlSi17Cu4Mg, whereby the tool performance is characterised with respect to their wear behaviour, the process forces and temperatures as well as the workpiece quality.     

Cutting performance of thick web drills with curved primary cutting edges

In order to improve the cutting performance of drills, a thick web drill with curved primary cutting edges was devised. The curved primary cutting edge was mathematically determined by changing the distribution of the tool orthogonal rake angle along the primary cutting edge. A three-dimensional finite element analysis based on the torsional rigidity of the drill was applied to obtain the “secondary” flute shape of the drill with curved primary cutting edges and to specify the web thickness. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the drill's cutting performance. Compared with conventional twist drills of different web thicknesses, the thick web drill with curved primary cutting edges shows greater effectiveness in reducing the thrust force, the torque, and the tool wear, thus providing a better cutting ability and a longer tool life.     

Cutting process of glass with inclined ball end mill

Cutting processes with ball end mills are discussed for machining microgrooves on glasses. A surface is finished in undeformed chip thickness less than 1 μm at the beginning and at the end of the cut during the cutter rotation. The milling process is applied to glass machining. A crack-free surface can be finished in a large axial depth of cut more than 10 μm. Because glass undergoes almost no elastic deformation, roughness on a cutting edge in glass machining has a larger influence on surface finish than that of metal machining. The rotational axis of the tool is inclined to improve the surface finish. The cutting processes are modeled to show the effect of the tool inclination on the machined surface with considering the edge roughness. The tool inclination compensates for deterioration of the surface finish induced by the edge roughness in the presented model. The improvement of the surface finish is verified in the cutting experiments with the tool inclination. The orthogonal grooves 15–20 μm deep and 150–175 μm wide, then, are machined with the crack-free surfaces to prove efficiency and surface quality in the milling process.