Analysis of the manufacturing chain of CVD diamond coated shaft type cutting tools

Hypereutectic aluminium silicon alloys, e.g. casted AlSi17Cu4Mg, are commonly used in the automotive and aeronautical industries. These alloys consist of hard, abrasive silicon particles in a soft aluminium matrix and thus place high mechanical loads on the tool during machining processes. Polycrystalline Diamond or CVD (chemical vapour deposition) diamond based cutting tools can be used for the high speed machining of these alloys due to their high hardness and wear resistance. Diamond thin film coatings of different film morphologies are commonly applied on cemented carbide tools using Hot Filament CVD. The distinguishing characteristic to other coatings is utmost hardness resulting in high resistance to abrasion, low tendency to adhesion and low friction coefficient. The manufacturing of CVD diamond coated shaft type cutting tools is challenging due to the complex design of the cutting edges and the demanding stress behaviour during tool application. The influencing parameters of substrate type, chemical and mechanical substrate pre-treatment as well as diamond film modification on the tool cutting performance are discussed. The manufacturing route of CVD diamond coated thread milling drills is analysed with the use of material and tribological tests. The complex thread manufacturing tools are then applied in the machining of AlSi17Cu4Mg, whereby the tool performance is characterised with respect to their wear behaviour, the process forces and temperatures as well as the workpiece quality.     

Soft physical vapour deposition coatings—a new coating family for high performance cutting tools

The joint effort of a cutting tool manufacturer and a coating specialist has led to the development of a cutting tool coating based on a soft solid lubricant (patents pending). It is applied by an advanced sputtering technique as a very thin uniform coating with a good adherence to the tools. It has a low coefficient of friction and a low affinity to alloy materials such as aluminium, titanium and precious metals. These factors and others allow machining at high spindle speeds and feed rates with an excellent workpiece surface finish. Values can be maintained which are far superior to even those permitted for cemented carbide tools. In some cases productivity and tool life can be increased by a factor of up to 20.     

PCBN刀具切削性能和磨损机理研究综述

聚晶立方氮化硼(PCBN)刀具是继聚晶金刚石刀具之后的又一种超硬刀具,以其独特的“以车代磨”、“硬态加工”、“干式切削”等方式被誉为21世纪的绿色环保刀具。PCBN刀具在金属切削方面具有广泛的应用,主要用来加工各种淬硬钢、耐磨铸铁等铁基材料。本文介绍了PCBN刀具成分、几何形状、切削参数等对其切削性能的影响,在此基础上分析了不同材料加工时刀具的主要磨损机理,还简单对比了硬质合金和PCBN刀具切削性能上的差异。      

CVD diamond coatings on geometrically complex cutting tools

The manufacturing of chemical vapour deposition (CVD) diamond coated shaft type cutting tools is demanding due to the complex design of the cutting edges and the cobalt content of the cemented carbide. The influencing parameters of substrate, pre-treatment and diamond film on the tool cutting performance are discussed. The optimised manufacturing route of CVD diamond coated thread milling drills is identified with the use of material and tribological tests. Following the optimised production of the tools, the thread milling drills are then applied in the machining of AlSi17Cu4Mg, whereby the tool performance is characterised with respect to their wear behaviour, the process forces and temperatures as well as the workpiece quality.     

Evaluation of wear mechanisms of Y-TZP and tungsten carbide punches

Tool wear is one of the major concerns in the tooling industry. A comparative evaluation of different tool materials and tool wear will help preventing frequent replacement of tools thus reducing the costs incurred due to such replacements. In this paper, tool wear mechanism of tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (TZP) punch is compared with that of commercially available WC (tungsten carbide) punch during stamping. The tool life for the TZP punch was found to be over 2.5 times higher than that of commercial tungsten carbide. The worn-out tools were analysed using scanning electron microscope and optical microscope for studying the tool wear mechanisms. Tool wear and chemical action possibly cause the failure of the tungsten carbide punch, whereas wear of TZP punch is predominantly caused by mechanical shearing of asperity and plastic deformation. Due to their inherent high melting point and the absence of the second-phase binder, ceramics materials do not soften at higher temperature unlike the carbide tools. Hence, they can be used at high cutting speeds without initiating deformation/diffusion wear. This assists in improving the tool life significantly. In addition, TZP ceramics is inert, corrosion resistant and non-wetting when contacting metals. Exposed carbide grains act as a site for increased wear and metal pickup during precision, high-speed metal stamping and forming. Moreover, cobalt-depleted carbide tools can create burring of the strip being stamped, leading to poor part quality. The performance of TZP punch tool will be evaluated thoroughly based on experimental data in this paper.     

Effects of tool material,tool topography and minimal quantity lubrication (MQL) on machining performance of compacted graphite iron (CGI)

Abstract

This paper addresses the tribological challenges involved in the machining of compacted graphite iron (CGI) through an investigation of the effects of tool material, local tool surface topography and minimal quantity lubrication (MQL) on machining performance. Turning experiments were undertaken using four different tools (flat coated carbide, grooved coated carbide, grooved coated cermet and chamfered ceramic) under dry and MQL conditions. The tests were conducted at two different cutting speed conditions with a constant feed and depth of cut. Results reveal that at low speed, the cermet tool provides a significant reduction in cutting forces in comparison to coated carbide. Cutting forces show an increase with the usage of MQL at high speed, suggesting a negative influence of the cutting fluid on CGI machining performance. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis of the tested tools reveal the absence of MnS layer on tools used for CGI machining, thereby reconfirming the findings by other researchers.     

Evaluation of HVOF-sprayed WC-Co coatings for wood machining

A great concern to save the amount of tungsten carbide used in various mechanical components has become important because of an increase of global demand and the resultant sharp rise in the price in recent years. Sintered tungsten carbide (WC) tools are usually used in woodworking industry because of their excellent combination of hardness and toughness. However, the actual area necessary for cutting is very small compared to the overall cutting tool body. In this work, three high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) sprayed WC-Co coatings with different carbide size (0.2, 2, and 6 µm) on high speed tool steel substrates were fabricated and then grinded to produce cutting tools. Characterization of the deposited coating was done by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, hardness and indentation fracture toughness tests. The wood machining tests were performed on natural wood (Apitong) and medium density fiberboard (MDF) to study their performance as a cutting tool. The results showed that the hardness values of the coatings were approximately the same as that of sintered material, while the fracture toughness values were significantly lower. The wood machining tests on Apitong revealed that the coating tools were worn by the same level of edge recession as the sintered material. However, they showed numerous edge chippings over the worn surfaces and the level of edge chipping tended to increase with reducing the carbide size. The wood machining tests on MDF revealed that the coating tools were worn by the same level of edge recession in the low density wear zone as the sintered material but by a significantly higher level in the high density wear zone.     

Micro-cutting characteristics of EDM fabricated high-precision polycrystalline diamond tools

To fabricate three-dimensional microstructures, such as micro dimples, micro grooves and micro channels, on ceramic mold materials, tool fabrication with super hard materials is an essential step. In this work, micro electro discharge machining (EDM) was used to fabricate high-precision polycrystalline diamond end mills. Form accuracy and edge sharpness in one micron level were achieved by utilizing electro discharge induced graphitization of diamond grains under extremely low discharge energy conditions. The cutting performance of the fabricated tools was examined by machining micro dimples and micro grooves on tungsten carbide mold substrates. Results showed that using the EDM-fabricated tools, ductile mode machining of tungsten carbide was realized with a surface finish of 2 nm R_a, which is comparable to that produced by polishing.     

液压马达在螺纹脱模中的应用

目前常用的以电动机作为动力源的螺纹自动脱模机构,由于机构限位不易控制,很难达到高精度螺纹的产品要求.本文介绍的自动脱内螺纹注塑模具,利用低速大转矩摆线液压马达,通过旋转运动带动链条,驱动链轮,经齿轮传动使螺纹型芯旋转且后退,塑件自动脱出.该模具结构简单,控制稳定,工作可靠.     

Evaluation of the performance of CBN tools when turning Ti–6Al–4V alloy with high pressure coolant supplies

Cubic Nitride Boron (CBN) tools are generally used for machining harder alloys such as hardened high Cr steels, titanium and nickel alloys. The tools are expected to withstand the heat and pressure developed when machining at higher cutting conditions because of their high hardness and melting point. This paper evaluates the performance of different CBN tool grades in finish turning Ti–6Al–4V (IMI 318) alloy at high cutting conditions, up to 250 m min⁻¹, with various coolant supplies. Tool wear, failure modes, cutting and feed forces and surface roughness of machined surfaces were monitored and used to access the performance of the cutting tools. Comparative trials were carried out with uncoated carbide tools when machining at a speed of 150 m min⁻¹. Test results show that the performance of CBN tools, in terms of tool life, at the cutting conditions investigated is poor relative to uncoated carbide tools, as expected and often, reported due probably to rapid notching and excessive chipping of the cutting edge associated with a relatively high diffusion wear rate that tends to weaken the bond strength of the tool substrate. An increase in the CBN content of the cutting tool also led to a reduction in tool life when machining at the cutting conditions investigated.     

Modes of failure of cemented tungsten carbide tool bits (WC/Co): A study of wear parts

Cemented tungsten carbide (WC/Co) holds a successful past as abrasion and wear-resistant components in mining industries for their wonderful combination of very high hardness and good fracture toughness as well as comparatively extraordinary wear resistance. Generally, the tungsten carbide drill bits/blades are used in rock drilling, mineral cutting, gas oil drilling and even tunneling industries. The service environments of the WC/Co tool bits are terribly complicated because of totally different hardness of the drilling objectives at different working conditions, consequence various movement patterns of the WC/Co drill bits. As a result, the failure mechanism of the tool bits is quite different. The mechanism of hole drilling and different mining operation and processes, a tool-bit gradually degrades till it breaks at the end of its life. Replacing a drill-bit once its breakage is often expensive in certain special applications. At the same time an early tool replacement decision could lead to cause of lower tools life. This type of claims is marking the ways that modify the accurate prediction of tool failures. In circumstances, where degradation signals using the appropriate features are utilized to make the tool replacement decision. Intensive investigation of the performance of tungsten carbide tools in hard metal industries and tool industries is being conducted worldwide. Tungsten carbide alloyed with cobalt (WC/Co) shows unique characteristics like high strength at elevated temperature and high mechanical and chemical resistance that makes carbide tools appropriate for cutting, drilling, mining and machining operation. A whole failure study is revealed within the paper. This study also discusses the failure mode of a tungsten carbide tools, its prediction and remedies.     

超细晶硬质合金刀具车削不锈钢的切削温度研究

超细晶硬质合金刀具由于具有更高的硬度和抗弯强度,可以满足现代制造业的更高要求,在难加工材料高速切削领域显示出明显优势。在不锈钢材料的加工过程中,切削温度对刀具的磨损有极大的影响,而多数实验方法很难测得刀具表面具体的温度分布。借助DEFORM仿真分析软件,模拟超细晶硬质合金刀具对304不锈钢的车削过程;依据正交试验方法,分析切削用量三要素切削速度、进给量和背吃刀量对刀具温度的影响规律;通过实际车削实验与仿真结果进行比较,并与普通晶粒硬质合金刀具进行对比。结果表明:与普通晶粒硬质合金刀具加工相似,切削速度对超细晶粒硬质合金刀具温度的影响程度最大,其次是进给量,最后是背吃刀量;超细晶粒硬质合金比普通晶粒硬质合金刀具具有更好的散热性,尤其在较高速度条件下切削,优势更加明显。     

Cutting performance of PVD-coated carbide and CBN tools in hardmilling

In this study, cutting performance of CBN tools and PVD-coated carbide tools in end-milling of hardened steel was investigated. In high-speed dry hardmilling, two types of CBN tools were applied: the CBN-rich type and an ordinary one. In the case of relatively low-speed milling, on the other hand, a few coated carbide tools were selected where four kinds of coating films, TiN, TiCN, TiAlN and multi-layered TiAlN/AlCrN, were deposited on the K10 and P30 grade carbide. The cutting performance was mainly evaluated by tool wear, cutting temperature, cutting force and surface roughness. In dry cutting of hardened carbon steel with the ordinary CBN tool, the cutting tool temperature rose rapidly with increase in cutting speed; and tool temperature reached approximately 850 °C at the cutting speed of 600 m/min. In the case of the CBN-rich tool, the cutting temperature decreased by 50 °C or more because of its high thermal conductivity. It is remarkable that tool wear or damage on a cutting tool was not observed even when the cutting length was 156 m in both CBN tools. In the case of coated carbide tools, the temperatures of TiN-, TiCN- and TiAlN-coated carbide tools rose as cutting proceeded because of the progress of tool wear, but that of TiAlN/AlCrN-coated carbide tool hardly rose due to little tool wear. When the base material was K10 grade carbide, tool temperature was lower than that of P30 with any coating. The tool flank wear depends considerably on hardness and oxidizing temperature of the coating film.     

Some aspects of machining cast Al-SiCp composites with conventional high speed steel and tungsten carbide tools

An attempt was made to evaluate machining of eutectic Al-Si (LM6) and hypoeutectic Al-Si (LM25) alloys reinforced with 10, 15, and 20% SiCp of two particle sizes using conventional high-speed steel (HSS) and tungsten carbide (WC) tools by varying cutting speed, feed, depth of cut, and environment. Machining of metal matrix composites (MMCs) is a difficult task using HSS and WC tools. The tool life of both these conventional tools was observed to decrease with increasing percentage and coarseness of SiCp in the composites. Tungsten carbide tools had a longer tool life than HSS under all the different conditions studied. Contrary to the known phenomenon of enhanced tool life in machining monolithic alloys with the use of cutting fluid, the tool life of WC/HSS tool in machining composites with cutting fluid was only 10 to 20% of that without cutting fluid.     

Influence of tool thread on mechanical properties of dissimilar Al alloy friction stir spot welds

Abstract

The influence of threaded and wear simulated (half thread) tools on the mechanical properties of dissimilar Al alloy friction stir spot welds is investigated. With lower tool rotational speed settings, the failure loads of Al 5754/Al 6111 lap joints made using a threaded tool were clearly higher than that of a half thread tool. However, the failure load of the joints made using a half thread tool increased when the tool rotational speed increased, and finally, as the rotational speed was further increased, the failure load became almost the same as the failure load of joints made using a threaded tool. In Al 5052/Al 6061 butt joints made using the threaded and half thread tools, the area of the stir zone on the bonded cross-section corresponded with the actual bonded region on the fracture surface. Therefore, the thread on the rotating pin has limited influence on the mechanical properties of the friction stir spot lap joints.     

Effects of High Current Pulsed Electron Beam Irradiation on the Mechanical Properties and Cutting Performance of TiAlN-Coated Tools

Commercial TiAlN-coated carbide tools were post-treated using the high current pulsed electron beam irradiation method. The influence of the energy density of the electron beam on the morphology, phase composition, surface roughness and Vickers hardness were investigated. The higher energy density imposed on TiAlN-coated carbide tools resulted in a flatter and harder modified surface. After the beam irradiation, the XRD diffraction peak intensity of the hardening phase (Ti,Al)N was changed, and the diffraction peak position was shifted; these changes are attributed to the improved microhardness of the irradiated coatings. Investigations on the cutting experiments of turning Ti-6Al-4V alloy showed that the irradiated TiAlN-coated carbide tool exhibited longer cutting life and better wear resistance than those of an unirradiated tool. This improvement is attributed to the combined effect of low surface roughness and high microhardness that resulted from the high current pulse electron beam irradiation.     

WC基硬质合金刀具材料研究进展

WC基硬质合金是目前使用的主要刀具材料之一。在对WC基硬质合金刀具进行简单概述的基础上,介绍了WC基硬质合金刀具材料种类及发展现状,重点阐述了WC基硬质合金刀具材料黏结相的研究进展,为新型WC基硬质合金刀具材料的研发和制备提供参考。      

Tool length influence on wear behaviour of twisted carbide drills

The drilling of holes with an l/d-ratio greater than 12 is responsible for a significant amount of the overall production time and therefore has a high impact on the productivity. In the past gun drills were used for those higher l/d-ratios, providing good surface qualities and straight holes. However the productivity of gun drills compared to solid carbide twist drills is very low, due to the limited feed rate. With the use of solid carbide twist drills with l/d-ratios up to 40 and overall lengths up to 350 mm production time can be reduced extensively. Solid carbide twist drills can furthermore be used on standard machine tools. Former drilling tests show that the tool life of these drilling tools decreases abundantly clear with an increasing tool length. This paper presents the influence of the drill length and the dynamic behaviour of the drilling process on the wear behaviour of the drilling tool.     

Built-up edge effect on tool wear when turning steels at low cutting speed

In any machining process, it is very important to control the cutting variables used during the process because these will affect, for example, tool life and workpiece surface roughness. Since the built-up edge (BUE) increases the wear of the tool and affects the surface roughness of the workpiece, the study of this phenomenon is very important in predicting and minimizing the wear of a cutting tool. This research studies the influence of the BUE formation for coated carbide tools when turning medium- and high-strength steels. Different mathematical expressions were obtained to quantify this effect. Mathematical expressions for uncoated carbide tools were not possible to obtain, due to the fact that for these tools an increase in the wear and their premature fracture was observed.     

Wear mechanisms of PVD ZrN coated tools in machining

Medium-frequency magnetron sputtered PVD ZrN coatings (ZrN, ZrN/Zr) were deposited on YT15 (WC + 15%TiC + 6%Co) cemented carbide. Microstructural and fundamental properties of these ZrN coatings were examined. Dry machining tests on hardened steel were carried out with these coated tools. The wear surface features were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that deposition of the PVD ZrN coatings onto the YT15 cemented carbide causes great increase in surface hardness. The ZC-1 coated tool (ZrN/YT15 without interlayer) has the highest surface hardness; while the ZC-2 (ZrN/Zr/YT15 with a Zr interlayer) shows the highest adhesion load for the coatings to the substrate. The ZrN coated tools exhibit improved rake and flank wear resistance to that of the YT15 tool. The coated tools with a Zr interlayer (ZC-2) have higher wear resistance over the one without Zr interlayer (ZC-1). The rake wear of the ZrN coated tools at low cutting speed was mainly abrasive wear; while the mechanism responsible for the rake wear at high cutting speed was determined to be adhesion. Extensive abrasive wear accompanied by small adhesive wear were found to be the predominant flank wear mechanisms for the ZrN coated tools.