Investigation of Cutting Temperature and Tool Wear in Diamond Cutting of Glasses

Abstract

Glasses are difficult to machine by single point diamond turning as the tool wear is relatively rapid. In this paper, a diamond cutting test was carried out to investigate the wear mechanism of diamond cutting tools. The tool tip temperature was measured by a thermovision scanner. The effect of cutting speed on the tool temperature was analyzed by a proposed model. Analytical results compare well with the experimental data. The tool wear mechanism was studied based on the measured data of cutting temperature, machined surface roughness, and the microstructure analysis of the wear zone. Cleavage and microchipping appear to be the dominant wear mechanisms of diamond tools under the cutting conditions used in the test. Methods for minimizing tool wear and hence improving the machined surface quality are also discussed.