Rough turning of titanium alloy (6Al-4V)

Metal machining is the complex process due the used cutting parameters. In metal cutting process, materials of workpiece differ widely in their ability to deform plastically, to fracture and to sustain tensile stresses. Moreover, the material involved in the process has a great influence in these operations. The Ti-6Al-4V alloy is very used in the aeronautical industry, mainly in the manufacture of engines, has very important properties such the mechanical and corrosion resistance in high te mperatures. The turning of the Ti-Al-4V alloy is very difficult due the rapid tool wear. Such behavior result of the its low thermal conductivity in addition the high reactivity with the cutting tool. The formed chip is segmented and regions of the large deformation named shear bands plows formed. The machinability of the cutting process can be evaluated by several measures including power consume, machined surface quality, tool wear, tool life, microstructure and morphology of the obtained chip. This paper studies the effect of cutting parameters, speed and feed rates, in the tool wear and chip properties using uncoating cemented carbide tool. Microe-structural characterization of the chip and tool wear was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Light Optical Mcroscopy (LOM).

Estudo da dinâmica e destino ambiental dos fluidos usados na usinagem industrial de peças metálicas

Este estudo consistiu na investigação sobre a interação dos lubrificantes empregados na usinagem de metais com a matéria orgânica natural (substâncias húmicas), a sua mobilidade no solo, a degradação microbiológica e a remoção dos mesmos do solo. Realizou-se, também, um estudo sobre as mudanças nas características dos fluidos após a sua utilização. Para o processo de degradação das amostras de fluido, submetidos aos efeitos de diferentes fatores ambientais, foram utilizados quatro tratamentos : (i) microrganismos nativos, chamada amostra controle; (ii) amostra controle com matéria orgânica proveniente de turfa; (iii) amostra controle acrescida de microrganismos existentes nos efluentes de máquinas de corte; e (iv) amostra controle com adição de microrganismos de compostagem. Para a pesquisa da degradação sem o efeito dos parâmetros climáticos, foram utilizadas amostras de solo contaminadas mantendo-se em estufa, e a inoculação dos microrganismos em meios de cultura com e sem acréscimo de fonte alternativa de carbono. Como técnicas analíticas, foram utilizadas a CG-DIC e a CG-EM. Essas técnicas são indicadas tanto para estudar a composição dos fluidos quanto dos produtos de degradação microbiológica, tendo sido otimizados métodos analíticos para serem empregados no monitoramento ambiental e de estudos de degradação. As análises por IVTF e por EF também foram empregadas na identificação e quantificação dos fluidos. Observou-se uma considerável interação dos fluidos solúveis com a matéria orgânica do solo, embora tenham se apresentado com alta mobilidade para alguns constituintes, bem como um acelerado processo de degradação durante o uso. De outro modo, os fluidos insolúveis se apresentaram mais imóveis, ficando retidos na matéria orgânica do solo, entretanto, foram mais prontamente degradados no ambiente que os solúveis. A adição de matéria orgânica e de microrganismos de compostagem acelerou o processo de degradação para todos os fluidos de corte investigados.

The Performance Characteristics of a Surface-Modified Cutting Tool

In the past, many papers have been presented which show that the coating of cutting tools often yields decreased wear rates and reduced coefficients of friction. Although different theories are proposed, covering areas such as hardness theory, diffusion barrier theory, thermal barrier theory, and reduced friction theory, most have not dealt with the question of how and why the coating of tool substrates with hard materials such as Titanium Nitride (TiN), Titanium Carbide (TiC) and Aluminium Oxide (Al203) transforms the performance and life of cutting tools. This project discusses the complex interrelationship that encompasses the thermal barrier function and the relatively low sliding friction coefficient of TiN on an undulating tool surface, and presents the result of an investigation into the cutting characteristics and performance of EDMed surface-modified carbide cutting tool inserts. The tool inserts were coated with TiN by the physical vapour deposition (PVD) method. PVD coating is also known as Ion-plating which is the general term of the coating method in which the film is created by attracting ionized metal vapour in this the metal was Titanium and ionized gas onto negatively biased substrate surface. Coating by PVD was chosen because it is done at a temperature of not more than 5000C whereas chemical Vapour Deposition CVD process is done at very high temperature of about 8500C and in two stages of heating up the substrates. The high temperatures involved in CVD affects the strength of the (tool) substrates. In this study, comparative cutting tests using TiN-coated control specimens with no EDM surface structures and TiN-coated EDMed tools with a crater-like surface topography were carried out on mild steel grade EN-3. Various cutting speeds were investigated, up to an increase of 40% of the tool manufacturer’s recommended speed. Fifteen minutes of cutting were carried out for each insert at the speeds investigated. Conventional tool inserts normally have a tool life of approximately 15 minutes of cutting. After every five cuts (passes) microscopic pictures of the tool wear profiles were taken, in order to monitor the progressive wear on the rake face and on the flank of the insert. The power load was monitored for each cut taken using an on-board meter on the CNC machine to establish the amount of power needed for each stage of operation. The spindle drive for the machine is an 11 KW/hr motor. Results obtained confirmed the advantages of cutting at all speeds investigated using EDMed coated inserts, in terms of reduced tool wear and low power loads. Moreover, the surface finish on the workpiece was consistently better for the EDMed inserts. The thesis discusses the relevance of the finite element method in the analysis of metal cutting processes, so that metal machinists can design, manufacture and deliver goods (tools) to the market quickly and on time without going through the hassle of trial and error approach for new products. Improvements in manufacturing technologies require better knowledge of modelling metal cutting processes. Technically the use of computational models has a great value in reducing or even eliminating the number of experiments traditionally used for tool design, process selection, machinability evaluation, and chip breakage investigations. In this work, much interest in theoretical and experimental investigations of metal machining were given special attention. Finite element analysis (FEA) was given priority in this study to predict tool wear and coating deformations during machining. Particular attention was devoted to the complicated mechanisms usually associated with metal cutting, such as interfacial friction; heat generated due to friction and severe strain in the cutting region, and high strain rates. It is therefore concluded that Roughened contact surface comprising of peaks and valleys coated with hard materials (TiN) provide wear-resisting properties as the coatings get entrapped in the valleys and help reduce friction at chip-tool interface. The contributions to knowledge: a. Relates to a wear-resisting surface structure for application in contact surfaces and structures in metal cutting and forming tools with ability to give wear-resisting surface profile. b. Provide technique for designing tool with roughened surface comprising of peaks and valleys covered in conformal coating with a material such as TiN, TiC etc which is wear-resisting structure with surface roughness profile compose of valleys which entrap residual coating material during wear thereby enabling the entrapped coating material to give improved wear resistance. c. Provide knowledge for increased tool life through wear resistance, hardness and chemical stability at high temperatures because of reduced friction at the tool-chip and work-tool interfaces due to tool coating, which leads to reduced heat generation at the cutting zones. d. Establishes that Undulating surface topographies on cutting tips tend to hold coating materials longer in the valleys, thus giving enhanced protection to the tool and the tool can cut faster by 40% and last 60% longer than conventional tools on the markets today.

Flow of metal in constrained plane-strain extrusion forging- Part II

With many innovations in process technology, forging is establishing itself as a precision manufacturing process: as forging is used to produce complex shapes in difficult materials, it requires dies of complex configuration of high strength and of wear-resistant materials. Extensive research and development work is being undertaken, internationally, to analyse the stresses in forging dies and the flow of material in forged components. Identification of the location, size and shape of dead-metal zones is required for component design. Further, knowledge of the strain distribution in the flowing metal indicates the degree to which the component is being work hardened. Such information is helpful in the selection of process parameters such as dimensional allowances and interface lubrication, as well as in the determination of post-forging operations such as heat treatment and machining. In the presently reported work the effect of aperture width and initial specimen height on the strain distribution in the plane-strain extrusion forging of machined lead billets is observed: the distortion of grids inscribed on the face of the specimen gives the strain distribution. The stress-equilibrium approach is used to optimise a model of flow in extrusion forging, which model is found to be effective in estimating the size of the dead-metal zone. The work carried out so far indicates that the methodology of using the stress-equilibrium approach to develop models of flow in closed-die forging can be a useful tool in component, process and die design.

MACHINING OF MMCs: A REVIEW

Over the last few decades, Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) have emerged as a material system offering tremendous potential for future applications. The primary advantages offered by these materials are their improved mechanical properties, particularly in the areas of wear, strength and stiffness. Of the MMCs, Aluminum matrix composites have grown in prominence due to their low density, low melting point and low cost. However, machining these materials remains a challenging task mainly due to the high abrasiveness of the reinforcing phases. Conventional machining processes such as turning, milling or drilling are adopted for machining MMCs. In this article, the existing and ongoing developments in machining MMCs vis-a-vis tool life, tool wear, machinability and understanding chip formation mechanism have been highlighted. Most of the studies discussed in this review will focus on Aluminum matrix composites. Certain areas of machining studies which have hitherto not been investigated have also been detailed.

Electromagnetic jigsaw: metal-cutting by combining electromagnetic and mechanical Forces

The magnetic saw effect, induced by the Lorentz force generated due to the application of a series of electromagnetic ( EM) pulses, can be utilized to cut a metallic component containing a pre-existing cut or crack. By combining a mechanical force with the Lorentz force, the cut can be propagated along any arbitrary direction in a controlled fashion, thus producing an `electromagnetic jigsaw', yielding a novel tool-less, free-formed manufacturing process, particularly suitable for hard-to-cut metals. This paper presents validation of the above concept based on a simple analytical model, along with experiments on two materials - Pb foil and steel plate. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Professor Bert Lauwers

Characterizing the class of local metal sheet thickening processes

The need to create high-value products for specialist applications, and the search for efficient forming routes that obviate the need for some machining steps, is driving Interest In a novel class of forming processes aiming to create locally thickened features within sheet work- pieces. A number of novel forming processes have been proposed to meet this need, but it is as yet unclear which processes will be most effective in creating local thickening of various geometries, and many process configurations have yet to be tried. This paper aims to provide some basic principles for designing and characterising process behaviour. A simplified generic description of sheet thickening processes is provided, with two tools of variable operating on a sheet workpiece in plane strain, with different tool separations and motions parameterised. A comprehensive numerical study of the behaviour of this class of processes is conducted in Abaqus to predict the main characteristics of the material flow in each configuration. The results are used to classify the different basic behaviours that can be achieved by the sheet-bulk thickening processes and to give guidance on future process development, capability and applicability. © 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. Weinheim.

Analysis and Optimization of Machining Process Using Evolutionary Algorithms

To ensure quality of machined products at minimum machining costs and maximum machining effectiveness, it is very important to select optimum parameters when metal cutting machine tools are employed. Traditionally, the experience of the operator plays a major role in the selection of optimum metal cutting conditions. However, attaining optimum values each time by even a skilled operator is difficult. The non-linear nature of the machining process has compelled engineers to search for more effective methods to attain optimization. The design objective preceding most engineering design activities is simply to minimize the cost of production or to maximize the production efficiency. The main aim of research work reported here is to build robust optimization algorithms by exploiting ideas that nature has to offer from its backyard and using it to solve real world optimization problems in manufacturing processes.In this thesis, after conducting an exhaustive literature review, several optimization techniques used in various manufacturing processes have been identified. The selection of optimal cutting parameters, like depth of cut, feed and speed is a very important issue for every machining process. Experiments have been designed using Taguchi technique and dry turning of SS420 has been performed on Kirlosker turn master 35 lathe. Analysis using S/N and ANOVA were performed to find the optimum level and percentage of contribution of each parameter. By using S/N analysis the optimum machining parameters from the experimentation is obtained.Optimization algorithms begin with one or more design solutions supplied by the user and then iteratively check new design solutions, relative search spaces in order to achieve the true optimum solution. A mathematical model has been developed using response surface analysis for surface roughness and the model was validated using published results from literature.Methodologies in optimization such as Simulated annealing (SA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Conventional Genetic Algorithm (CGA) and Improved Genetic Algorithm (IGA) are applied to optimize machining parameters while dry turning of SS420 material. All the above algorithms were tested for their efficiency, robustness and accuracy and observe how they often outperform conventional optimization method applied to difficult real world problems. The SA, PSO, CGA and IGA codes were developed using MATLAB. For each evolutionary algorithmic method, optimum cutting conditions are provided to achieve better surface finish.The computational results using SA clearly demonstrated that the proposed solution procedure is quite capable in solving such complicated problems effectively and efficiently. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is a relatively recent heuristic search method whose mechanics are inspired by the swarming or collaborative behavior of biological populations. From the results it has been observed that PSO provides better results and also more computationally efficient.Based on the results obtained using CGA and IGA for the optimization of machining process, the proposed IGA provides better results than the conventional GA. The improved genetic algorithm incorporating a stochastic crossover technique and an artificial initial population scheme is developed to provide a faster search mechanism. Finally, a comparison among these algorithms were made for the specific example of dry turning of SS 420 material and arriving at optimum machining parameters of feed, cutting speed, depth of cut and tool nose radius for minimum surface roughness as the criterion. To summarize, the research work fills in conspicuous gaps between research prototypes and industry requirements, by simulating evolutionary procedures seen in nature that optimize its own systems.

Artificial neural network modeling for surface roughness prediction in cylindrical grinding of Al‐SiCp metal matrix composites and ANOVA analysis

Metal matrix composites (MMC) having aluminium (Al) in the matrix phase and silicon carbide particles (SiCp) in reinforcement phase, ie Al‐SiCp type MMC, have gained popularity in the re‐cent past. In this competitive age, manufacturing industries strive to produce superior quality products at reasonable price. This is possible by achieving higher productivity while performing machining at optimum combinations of process variables. The low weight and high strength MMC are found suitable for variety of components

Modelling metal cutting using modern ductile fracture mechanics: Quantitative explanations for some longstanding problems

The assumption that negligible work is involved in the formation of new surfaces in the machining of ductile metals, is re-examined in the light of both current Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations of cutting and modern ductile fracture mechanics. The work associated with separation criteria in FEM models is shown to be in the kJ/m2 range rather than the few J/m2 of the surface energy (surface tension) employed by Shaw in his pioneering study of 1954 following which consideration of surface work has been omitted from analyses of metal cutting. The much greater values of surface specific work are not surprising in terms of ductile fracture mechanics where kJ/m2 values of fracture toughness are typical of the ductile metals involved in machining studies. This paper shows that when even the simple Ernst–Merchant analysis is generalised to include significant surface work, many of the experimental observations for which traditional ‘plasticity and friction only’ analyses seem to have no quantitative explanation, are now given meaning. In particular, the primary shear plane angle φ becomes material-dependent. The experimental increase of φ up to a saturated level, as the uncut chip thickness is increased, is predicted. The positive intercepts found in plots of cutting force vs. depth of cut, and in plots of force resolved along the primary shear plane vs. area of shear plane, are shown to be measures of the specific surface work. It is demonstrated that neglect of these intercepts in cutting analyses is the reason why anomalously high values of shear yield stress are derived at those very small uncut chip thicknesses at which the so-called size effect becomes evident. The material toughness/strength ratio, combined with the depth of cut to form a non-dimensional parameter, is shown to control ductile cutting mechanics. The toughness/strength ratio of a given material will change with rate, temperature, and thermomechanical treatment and the influence of such changes, together with changes in depth of cut, on the character of machining is discussed. Strength or hardness alone is insufficient to describe machining. The failure of the Ernst–Merchant theory seems less to do with problems of uniqueness and the validity of minimum work, and more to do with the problem not being properly posed. The new analysis compares favourably and consistently with the wide body of experimental results available in the literature. Why considerable progress in the understanding of metal cutting has been achieved without reference to significant surface work is also discussed.

Fresamento com ar quente: uma proposta para minimizar a formação de trincas térmicas em ferramentas de metal duro

This work presents the results, analyses and conclusions about a study carried out with objective of minimizing the thermal cracks formation on cemented carbide inserts during face milling. The main focus of investigation was based on the observation that milling process is an interrupted machining process, which imposes cyclic thermal loads to the cutting tool, causing frequent stresses changes in its superficial and sub-superficial layers. These characteristics cause the formation of perpendicular cracks from cutting edge which aid the cutting tool wear, reducing its life. Several works on this subject emphasizing the thermal cyclic behavior imposed by the milling process as the main responsible for thermal cracks formation have been published. In these cases, the phenomenon appears as a consequence of the difference in temperature experienced by the cutting tool with each rotation of the cutter, usually defined as the difference between the temperatures in the cutting tool wedge at the end of the cutting and idle periods (T factor). Thus, a technique to minimize this cyclic behavior with objective of transforming the milling in an almost-continuous process in terms of temperature was proposed. In this case, a hot air stream was applied into the idle period, during the machining process. This procedure aimed to minimize the T factor. This technique was applied using three values of temperature from the hot air stream (100, 350 e 580 oC) with no cutting fluid (dry condition) and with cutting fluid mist (wet condition) using the hot air stream at 580oC. Besides, trials at room temperature were carried out. Afterwards the inserts were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope, where the quantity of thermal cracks generated in each condition, the wear and others damages was analyzed. In a general way, it was found that the heating of the idle period was positive for reducing the number of thermal cracks during face milling with cemented carbide inserts. Further, the cutting fluid mist application was effective in reducing the wear of the cutting tools.

α-SiAION: Development and machining test on gray cast iron

The α-SiAlON ceramic cutting tool insert is developed. Silicon nitride and additives powders are pressed and sintered in the form of cutting tool inserts at temperature of 1900 °C. The physics and mechanical properties of the inserts like green density, weight loss, relative density, hardness and fracture toughness are evaluated. Machining studies are conducted on grey cast iron workpiece to evaluate the performance of α-SiAlON ceramic cutting tool. In the paper the cutting tool used in higher speed showed an improvement in the tribological interaction between the cutting tools and the grey cast iron workpiece resulted in a significant reduction of flank wear and roughness, because of better accommodation and the presence of the graphite in gray cast iron. The above results are discussed in terms of their affect at machining parameters on gray cast iron.

Turning of compacted graphite iron using commercial tiN coated Si 3N4 under dry machining conditions

Due to their high hardness and wear resistance Si3N4 based ceramics are one of the most suitable cutting tool materials for machining hardened materials. Therefore, their high degree of brittleness usually leads to inconsistent results and sudden catastrophic failures. Improvement of the functional properties these tools and reduction of the ecological threats may be accomplished by employing the technology of putting down hard coatings on tools in the state-of-the-art PVD processes, mostly by improvement of the tribological contact conditions in the cutting zone and by eliminating the cutting fluids. However in this paper was used a Si3N4 based cutting tool commercial with a layer TiN coating. In this investigation, the performance of TiN coating was assessed on turning used to machine an automotive grade compacted graphite iron. As part of the study were used to characterise the performance of cutting tool, flank wear, temperature and roughness. The results showed that the layer TiN coating failed to dry compacted graphite iron under aggressive machining conditions. However, using the measurement of flank wear technique, the average tool life of was increased by VC=160 m/min.The latter was also observed using a toolmakers microscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Development of ceramic cutting tools for future application on dry machining

Advanced ceramic materials constitute a mature technology with a very broad base of current and potential applications and a growing list of material compositions. Within the advanced ceramics category, silicon nitride based ceramics are wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant and lightweight materials, and are superior to many materials with regard to stability in high-temperature environments. Because of this combination the silicon nitride ceramics have an especially high potential to resolve a wide number of machining problems in the industries. Presently the Si3N4 ceramic cutting tool inserts are developed using additives powders that are pressed and sintered in the form of a cutting tool insert at a temperature of 1850 °C using pressureless sintering. The microstructure of the material was observed and analyzed using XRD, SEM, and the mechanical response of this array microstructure was characterized for hardness Vickers and fracture toughness. The results show that Si3N4/20 wt.% (AlN and Y 2O3) gives the best balance between hardness Vickers and fracture toughness. The Si3N4/15 wt.% (AlN and Y 2O3) composition allows the production of a very fine-grained microstructure with low decreasing of the fracture toughness and increased hardness Vickers. These ceramic cutting tools present adequate characteristics for future application on dry machining. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications.