Getting Technical - How to Manage Tool Deterioration
Why does cutting tool performance deteriorate over time? What can we do something about that?Why does cutting tool performance deteriorate over time? What can we do something about that?
Why does cutting tool performance deteriorate over time? How should we deal with that?
Tool deterioration is the process by which the condition of a cutting tool becomes increasingly worse and gradually causes the tool to lose its ability to perform at high level.
Tool deterioration occurs in various forms, of which tool wear and tool breakage are the best-known ones. Other forms are observed but are still subject of basic research programmes to understand the physics causing and influencing them.
From a machining process sustainability perspective, tool deterioration should be safe, controllable, and predictable. There must be a clear indication on how long the tool can be used before it needs to be replaced to guarantee a safe, reliable, and sustainable machining process.
Tool breakage in whatever form should be avoided as it does not live up to these demands. Tool wear is the preferred deterioration modus. And within the traditional tool wear patterns, flank wear is the preferred form as it fulfils all the objectives – safe, controllable, predictable, clear indication/relation to tool life, and contributes noticeable to a sustainable machining process – in the best possible way.
The reward of a well mastered deterioration of the cutting tools is obvious: the machinist is in charge and the machining process contributes in a sustainable manner to the overall company objectives.
Insight in the phenomena causing tool deterioration: a must have in the toolbox of every machining expert!
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