The significance of normal rake in oblique machining

Abstract

3D molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of oblique machining of an aluminum workmaterial with a single straight cutting edge were conducted over a wide range of normal rake angles (−45° to +45°) and inclination angles (0° to 45°). Three distinct rake angles, namely, the normal rake angle, αn, the velocity rake angle, αv, and the so-called effective rake angle, αe, associated with oblique machining were considered. Variation of the three components of force (cutting, thrust, and oblique), force ratio (thrust force/cutting force), and specific energy (energy required for unit volume of material removed) with rake angle and inclination angle were determined. Based on the analysis of the simulation results, it is shown that normal rake angle is the angle of significance influencing the mechanics of oblique machining, especially from the point of view of cutting force and specific energy in machining, as reported at the macro scale by many in the literature.