Investigating Turning of Hard-to-Cut Material Using Self-Propelled Rotary Tool

This paper presents the findings of an experimental study on lathe turning operations on Hard-to-Cut Materials based on 55RC samples using Carbide inserts coated with Titanium Nitride fitted on a self-propelling rotary tool, and compares the results with simulated conventional tools with fixed inserts. Tool performance is assessed based on cutting force, surface quality of the machined workpiece, and tool wear. Findings indicate better tool life and overall performance of rotary tools due to the self-propelled motion of the inserts. The self-propelled motion of the inserts provides a self-cooling effect, improving tribological properties and lowering Thrust Force as a result of the decrease of contact time at the tool-work surface interface. Wear is observed to be evenly distributed with no evidence of diffusion-type wear. Finally, the machined surface quality is at par or better than one resulting from using a conventional fixed tool. The above characteristics translate into a more cost-efficient cutting operation.