Light emission, chip morphology, and burr formation in drilling the bulk metallic glass

The chip light emission, chip morphology, burr formation and machined surface in drilling of Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) material are investigated. This study demonstrates that the work- and tool-material as well as the feed rate and spindle speed, two drilling process parameters, all affect the onset of chip light emission. Slow feed rate and high spindle speed increase the specific cutting energy and promote the exothermic oxidation and light emission of the chip. Six types of chip morphology, powder, short ribbon, long ribbon, long spiral, long ribbon tangled, and fan, are observed in BMG drilling. The long ribbon tangled chip morphology is unique for BMG material. On the machined surface under quick stop condition, the fracture topography unique to metallic glass with tributary, void, and vein patterns is observed. Different burr formations are observed: the roll-over shape in the entry and the crown shape in the exit edge. The size of burr in the exit edge is typically larger than that in the entrance edge. High feed rate helps to reduce the size of burr in both entrance and exit edges. This study concludes that the WC–Co tool-material, due to its high thermal conductivity and hardness, performs better in drilling BMG than the high speed steel tool.     

High-throughput drilling of titanium alloys

Experiments of high-throughput drilling of Ti–6Al–4V at 183 m/min cutting speed and 156 mm³/s material removal rate (MRR) using a 4 mm diameter WC–Co spiral point drill were conducted. The tool material and geometry and drilling process parameters, including cutting speed, feed, and fluid supply, were studied to evaluate the effect on drill life, thrust force, torque, energy, and burr formation. The tool wear mechanism, hole surface roughness, and chip light emission and morphology for high-throughput drilling were investigated. Supplying the cutting fluid via through-the-drill holes has proven to be a critical factor for drill life, which can be increased by 10 times compared to that of dry drilling at 183 m/min cutting speed and 0.051 mm/rev feed. Under the same MRR of 156 mm³/s with a doubled feed of 0.102 mm/rev (91 m/min cutting speed), over 200 holes can be drilled. The balance of cutting speed and feed is essential to achieve long drill life and good hole surface roughness. This study demonstrates that, using proper drilling process parameters, spiral point drill geometry, and fine-grained WC–Co tool material, the high-throughput drilling of Ti alloy is technically feasible.     

Friction drilling of cast metals

This study investigates the friction drilling process, a nontraditional hole-making technique, for cast metals. In friction drilling, a rotating conical tool is applied to penetrate work-material and create a bushing in a single step without generating chip. The cast aluminum and magnesium alloys, two materials studied, are brittle compared to the ductile metal workpiece material used in previous friction drilling research. The technical challenge is to generate a cylindrical shaped bushing without significant radial fracture or petal formation. Two ideas of pre-heating the workpiece and high speed friction drilling are proposed. Effects of workpiece temperature, spindle speed, and feed rate on experimentally measured thrust force, torque, and bushing shape were analyzed. The thrust force and torque decreased and the bushing shape was improved with increased workpiece temperature. Varying spindle speed shows mixed results in bushing formation of two different work-materials. The energy, average power, and peak power required for friction drilling were calculated and analyzed to demonstrate quantitatively the benefits of workpiece pre-heating and high spindle speed in friction drilling.     

Chip formation, cutting forces, and tool wear in turning of Zr-based bulk metallic glass

The chip light emission and morphology, cutting forces, surface roughness, and tool wear in turning of Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) material are investigated. Machining results are compared with those of aluminum 6061-T6 and AISI 304 stainless steel under the same cutting conditions. This study demonstrates that the high cutting speeds and tools with low thermal conductivity and rake angle activate the light emission and chip oxidation in BMG machining. For the BMG chip without light emission, serrated chip formation with adiabatic shear band and void formation is observed. The cutting force analysis further correlates the chip oxidation and specific cutting energy and shows the significant reduction of cutting forces for machining BMG at high cutting speeds. The machined surface of BMG has better surface roughness than that of the other two work materials. Some tool wear features, including the welding of chip to the tool tip and chipping of the polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) tool edge, are reported for turning of BMG. This study concludes that BMG can be machined with good surface roughness using conventional cutting tools.     

Mechanistic modeling of bone-drilling process with experimental validation

In this paper, an improved mechanistic model is developed to predict the thrust force and torque for bone-drilling operation. The cutting action at the drill point is divided into three regions: the cutting lips, outer portion of the chisel edge (the secondary cutting edges), and inner portion of the chisel edge (the indentation zone). Models that account for the unique mechanics of the cutting process for each of the three regions are formulated. The models are calibrated to bovine cortical bone material using specific cutting pressure equations with modification to take advantage of the characteristics of the drill point geometry. The models are validated for the cutting lips, the chisel edge, and entire drill point for a wide range of spindle speed and feed rate. The predicted results agree well with experimental results. Only the predictions for the drilling torque on the chisel edge are lower than the experimental results under some drilling conditions. The model can assist in the selection of favorable drilling conditions and drill-bit geometries for bone-drilling operations.     

Drilling of carbon composites using a one shot drill bit. Part I: Five stage representation of drilling and factors affecting maximum force and torque

The thrust force and torque produced during drilling contain important information related to the quality of the hole and the wear of the drill bit [1]. In this paper, the force and torque produced during drilling of carbon fibre using a ‘one shot’ drill bit is investigated. The signals in the time domain were divided into stages and common problems and defects associated with each stage discussed. It is also shown how tool wear and thickness of the workpiece affect the thrust force and torque throughout the drilling process. The findings of this paper are used to develop a mathematical model of the maximum thrust force and torque as described on Part II of this paper and are a valuable reference for future optimisation of drilling carbon composites with a ‘oneshot’ drill bit.     

Time domain simulation of torsional–axial vibrations in drilling

A time domain model of the torsional–axial chatter vibrations in drilling is presented. The model considers the exact kinematics of rigid body, and coupled torsional and axial vibrations of the drill. The tool is modeled as a pretwisted beam that exhibits axial and torsional deflections due to torque and thrust loading. A mechanistic cutting force model is used to accurately predict the cutting torque and thrust as a function of feedrate, radial depth of cut, and drill geometry. The drill rotates and feeds axially into the workpiece while the structural vibrations are excited by the cutting torque and thrust. The location of the drill edge is predicted using the kinematics model, and the generated surface is digitized at discrete time intervals. The distribution of chip thickness, which is affected by both rigid body motion and structural vibrations, is evaluated by subtracting the presently generated surface from the previous one. The model considers nonlinearities in cutting coefficients, tool jumping out of cut and overlapping of multiple regeneration waves. Force, torque, power and dimensional form errors left on the surface are predicted using the dynamic chip thickness obtained from the exact kinematics model. The stability of the drilling process is also evaluated using the time domain simulation model, and compared with extensive experiments. This paper provides details of the mathematical model, experimental verification and simulation capabilities. Although the surface finish from unstable cutting can be predicted realistically, the actual drilling stability cannot be determined without including process damping.     

Experimental studies of step drills and establishment of empirical equations for the drilling process

Various sizes of step drills were manufactured by a CNC grinder machine and used in the drilling process with different speeds and feed rates to produce single step holes in S1214 free machining steel. The performance of step drills was compared with that of conventional twist drills in the drilling of the free machining steel for the same task. The influences of drill size, feed rate and cutting speed on the performance of step drills were studied. Experimental results show that for better cutting performance, the small diameter should not be less than 60% of the large diameter. Also, most of the changes in the characteristics of the thrust force were influenced by the smaller drill of the step drill. On the other hand, the small diameter part of the step drill only contributed about 30% of the torque. From the experimental results, empirical equations for drilling thrust force and torque have been established for step drills.     

TC4钛合金钻削力和钻削温度仿真研究

为了提高TC4钛合金的可钻削性,采用有限元分析软件AdvantEdge建立TC4钛合金铣削加工有限元模型,分析工件和刀具上的温度分布规律,获得了钻削加工过程中钻削参数对钻削力和钻削温度的影响规律。结果表明：钻削TC4钛合金时最高温度出现在切屑上;钻削力随着主轴转速和进给量的增加而增大,随着钻头直径的增大而减小;钻削温度随着主轴转速、进给量和钻头直径的增加而增大。     

Compact core drilling in basalt rock using PCD tool inserts: Wear characteristics and cutting forces

The hardest component of the Martian surface is believed to be basalt rock, which is highly abrasive in nature. It will be important to operate a Martian drill under conditions that are conducive to minimal tool wear. In preparation for a Mars drilling project, this paper reports results of an experimental study of dry drilling in basalt and related tool wear. It also reports the effect of the tool wear on increasing the forces and torques required when drilling in basalt rock (on earth) using polycrystalline diamond (PCD) compact core drill inserts. Force and torque data measured for a variety of cutting conditions are shown along with experimental wear data obtained while drilling in basalt rock having different strengths. It is found that flank wear, VB, and cutting edge radius, CER, wear rates increase with rock strength, VB-wear rates and CER-wear rates exhibit opposite trends in their dependence on the remainder of the cutting parameters. For example, while VB-wear rates decrease with an increase in tool feed and spindle speed values, CER-wear rates increase with increases in tool feed and remains unchanged with increases in spindle speed. VB-wear rates decrease as the rake angle becomes more negative, while CER-wear rates increase as this occurs. It is found that basalt rock strength manifests itself via larger (smaller) generated forces/torques for rocks of harder (softer) composition. Strong correlations are found between both modes of tool wear (VB and CER) and the measured values of thrust force and torque. Equations for progressive tool wear as functions of the process variables are developed. A model for the changing drill forces and torques required by the progressive tool wear is developed for drilling in basalt.     

Study on wear mechanisms in drilling of Inconel 718 superalloy

The wear mechanisms and the approach to prolong the service life of the TiAlN coated carbide tool in drilling Inconel 718 superalloy are presented. It is found that the coated layer on the cutting edge is gradually abraded-off at the first stage of drill wear due to an excessive friction force on the tool–work interface. This in turns intensifies the friction force and leads to an increase of drilling force. Built-up edge (BUE) is then formed, and chipping starting from the relatively weaker cutting edge takes place subsequently. As a result, many micro-cracks are observed to distribute over the worn area. The subsurface fatigue cracks grow as the drilling process is proceeding. Together with the abrasion of hard carbide particles of the work material, the cutting edges break eventually parallel to the direction of fatigue cracks. At this moment, longer chip forms and cutting process is disturbed to an extent that the process can no longer be effectively continued. Failure of the drill is noted in a very short period of time once the long chips are observed. Finally, drilling experiments with the use of the cutting fluid containing the nano-particle low friction surface modifier are conducted. It is found that the service life of the drill is lengthened significantly and hence the machining cost can be greatly reduced.     

Drilling of carbon composites using a one shot drill bit. Part II: empirical modeling of maximum thrust force

In order to extend tool life and improve quality of hole drilling in carbon composite materials, a better understanding of ‘one shot’ hole drilling is required. This paper describes the development of an empirical model of the maximum thrust force and torque produced during drilling of carbon fiber with a ‘one shot’ drill bit. Shaw's simplified equations are adapted in order to accommodate for tool wear and used to predict maximum thrust force and torque in the drilling of carbon composite with a ‘one shot’ drill bit. The mathematical model is dependent on the number of holes drilled previously, the geometry of the drill bit, the feed used and the thickness of the workpiece. The model presented here is verified by extensive experimental data.     

A new methodology for designing a curve-edged twist drill with an arbitrarily given distribution of the cutting angles along the tool cutting edge

The present study aims at the development of a new methodology for designing a curve-edged twist drill with an arbitrarily given distribution of the cutting angles along the tool cutting edge. The new methodology consists of 81 major mathematical equations and is developed using a method of mapping relevant planes and straight lines of a cutting tool (such as the cutting plane and the cutting edge) as corresponding image points and image lines on a projection plane. The developed methodology is used to intuitively and graphically analyze and determine the relationship between the orientation of the cutting edge and the cutting angles at each point on the cutting edge. A set of image points and image lines is established to calculate the cutting angles on the cutting edge of a twist drill, including the working tool rake angle, the working tool inclination angle, the working cutting edge angle, and the working normal rake angle. Three computer case studies are provided to show curved cutting edges that correspond, respectively, to a linear distribution of the working tool rake angle, a combined linear and uniform distribution of the working tool rake angle, and a linear distribution of the working tool inclination angle along the tool cutting edge. Finally, a set of metal drilling experiments is performed to compare the drilling torque and the thrust force between a conventional straight-edged twist drill and a new curve-edged twist drill that has a combined linear and uniform distribution of the working tool rake angle along the tool cutting edge. The experimental results show that the new curve-edged drill reduces the drilling torque by 28.5% and the thrust force by 24.6% on average.     

Experimental analysis of drilling fiber reinforced composites

In comparison with metals, long-fiber reinforced composites have a layered structure, with different properties throughout their thickness. When drilling such structures, internal defects like delamination occur, caused by the drilling loads and their uneven distribution among the plies. The current experimental analysis is focused towards determining the cutting loads distribution (axial and tangential) along the work-piece thickness and tool radius by analyzing the thrust and torque curves when drilling with 3 different drills carbon-fiber (CFRP) and glass-fiber (GFRP) reinforced composite plates. A wide range of cutting parameters is tested. The highest loads are found at the tool tip in the vicinity of the chisel edge for all cases. It is also found that the maximum load per ply varies mainly with the axial feed rate and tool geometry, while the spindle speed has little or no influence. The analysis is useful for selecting the cutting parameters for delamination free drilling and also for conducting drill geometry optimizations.     

Temperature Measurement of Cutting Edge in Drilling -Effect of Oil Mist-

In drilling, the temperature of the cutting edges of a drill is measured using a two-color pyrometer with an optical fiber. A cemented carbide drill with a diameter of 10 mm is used as a cutting tool, and carbon steel, cast iron and aluminum die-cast alloy are used as work materials. The temperature distribution along the cutting edge of a drill is measured and the influence of spindle speed and feed rate on the tool temperature is investigated. The maximum tool temperature is observed during the drilling of carbon steel. The effect of oil mist supplied from oil holes in the drill on the tool temperature is examined and the result is compared to that in turning and end milling. The temperature reduction in oil mist turning is approximately 5%, while in oil mist end milling it is 10-15% and that in oil mist drilling is 20-25% compared to the temperature in dry cutting.     

Friction drilling of austenitic stainless steel by uncoated and PVD AlCrN- and TiAlN-coated tungsten carbide tools

Friction drilling utilizes the heat generated from the friction between the tool and the thin workpiece to form a bush for fixtures such as screw threads in plastic deformation process. This process produces no chip, shortens the time required for hole-making and incurs less tool wear, thus lengthening the service life of the drill. In this study, tungsten carbide drills with and without coating were employed to make holes in AISI 304 stainless steel, which is known to have high ductility, low thermal conductivity and great hardness. TiAIN and AlCrN were coated onto the drill surface by physical vapor deposition (PVD). Performance of coated and uncoated cutting tools was examined for drillings made under different spindle speeds. Changes in relationship between drill surface temperature, tool wear and axial thrust force during machining were also explored. Experimental results reveal that lubricating effect of the coating and low thermal conductivity of AlCrN caused AlCrN-coated drill to produce the highest surface temperature but the lowest axial thrust force with the least tool wear. However, the difference in performance between coated and uncoated drills diminished with increase in number of holes drilled.     

A decision fusion algorithm for tool wear condition monitoring in drilling

Tool wear monitoring of cutting tools is important for the automation of modern manufacturing systems. In this paper, several innovative monitoring methods for on-line tool wear condition monitoring in drilling operations are presented. Drilling is one of the most widely used manufacturing operations and monitoring techniques using measurements of force signals (thrust and torque) and power signals (spindle and servo) are developed in this paper. Two methods using Hidden Markov models, as well as several other methods that directly use force and power data are used to establish the health of a drilling tool in order to avoid catastrophic failure of the drill. In order to increase the reliability of these methods, a decision fusion center algorithm (DFCA) is proposed which combines the outputs of the individual methods to make a global decision about the wear status of the drill. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed monitoring methods and the DFCA.     

Drill wear monitoring using neural networks

The primary objective of this research is to monitor drill wear on-line. In this paper, drill wear monitoring is carried out by measuring the thrust force and torque signals. In order to identify the tool wear conditions based on the signal measured, a neural network, using a cumulative back-propagation algorithm, is adopted. This paper also describes the experimental procedure used and presents the results obtained for establishing the neural network. The inputs to the neural network are the mean values of thrust force and torque, spindle rotational speed, feedrate and drill diameter. The neural network is trained to estimate the average drill wear. It is confirmed experimentally that the tool wear can be accurately estimated by the trained neural network. The accuracy of tool wear estimation using the neural network is superior to that using other regression models.     

Cutting performance of thick web drills with curved primary cutting edges

In order to improve the cutting performance of drills, a thick web drill with curved primary cutting edges was devised. The curved primary cutting edge was mathematically determined by changing the distribution of the tool orthogonal rake angle along the primary cutting edge. A three-dimensional finite element analysis based on the torsional rigidity of the drill was applied to obtain the “secondary” flute shape of the drill with curved primary cutting edges and to specify the web thickness. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the drill's cutting performance. Compared with conventional twist drills of different web thicknesses, the thick web drill with curved primary cutting edges shows greater effectiveness in reducing the thrust force, the torque, and the tool wear, thus providing a better cutting ability and a longer tool life.     

Modeling of tool wear in drilling by statistical analysis and artificial neural network

The useful life of a cutting tool and its operating conditions largely control the economics of the machining operations. Hence, it is imperative that the condition of the cutting tool, particularly some indication as to when it requires changing, to be monitored. The drilling operation is frequently used as a preliminary step for many operations like boring, reaming and tapping, however, the operation itself is complex and demanding.

Back propagation neural networks were used for detection of drill wear. The neural network consisted of three layers input, hidden and output. Drill size, feed, spindle speed, torque, machining time and thrust force are given as inputs to the ANN and the flank wear was estimated. Drilling experiments with 8 mm drill size were performed by changing the cutting speed and feed at two different levels. The number of neurons in the hidden layer were selected from 1, 2, 3, …, 20. The learning rate was selected as 0.01 and no smoothing factor was used. The estimated values of tool wear were obtained by statistical analysis and by various neural network structures. Comparative analysis has been done between statistical analysis, neural network structures and the actual values of tool wear obtained by experimentation.