Laser engraving of chip-breaker geometry on ceramic cutting tools

Abstract

Laser texturing is a process that allows the selective removal of material by applying a high energy density over a small area during a very short time interval. Although it is generally common to use ultra-short pulse (ps or fs) lasers for tool engraving, in certain applications it is possible to use short pulse (ns) lasers. In this work, the material removal rate of an ns laser has been evaluated in chip-breaker milling on Al2O3 cutting inserts reinforced with SiC whiskers. The results obtained show that by milling chip-breaker geometries it is possible to reduce the cutting forces, however, the process parameters used are key to obtain an adequate surface finish without embrittlement of the tool. By means of an adequate design, a reduction in cutting forces of 20% was achieved; additionally, it has been proved that there is a high dependence between tool life and the milling strategy used.