Tool temperature distribution in modulation-assisted machining

Abstract

Machining is a process that involves extreme physical and chemical interactions between cutting tools and work materials. The extreme interactions lead to high tool wear and intensive energy expenditure; and, to mitigate these undesirable effects, a need for the utilization of polluting lubricants/coolants. The high tool wear and energy expenditure, and the use of polluting fluids translate into “high” operational costs and environmental impacts. Thus, it would be desirable to formulate machining methods that significantly reduce the extreme physical and chemical interactions, without having to employ cutting fluids. Research potentially leading to the development of a highly cost/environmentally friendly machining method is the topic of this study. The method to be employed will apply a controlled modulation to produce a disruption of the chip-tool contact. In this paper, the efficacy of the method is evaluated by the temperature at the chip-tool interface, without application of cutting fluids. The paper shows a first attempt to measure the chip-tool interface temperature in modulation-assisted machining.