Cutting Tools in Turning Operations
Cutting tools are essential components of machining operations and the primary source of material removal during the manufacturing of components. In an industrial setting, there are various types of cutting tools available for use in machining operations. Among them, turning tools are an important type of cutting tool used extensively in the industry.
Turning tools are used in machining processes such as turning, facing, and drilling. The utilization of turning tools for machining operations supports the production of components with precise dimensions and superior surface finish. The basic or primary cutting process which utilizes a single-point cutting tool and requires complex calculations is known as turning. Turning is generally categorized as external turning or internal turning.
External turning involves machining the outside diameter of a cylindrical workpiece while internal turning is responsible for machining the inner diameter of a hole, bore, or groove. During the machining operation using a turning tool, the workpiece is fixed and the cutting tool is fed linearly into it. The cutting tool is positioned in such a way that it forms a cutting edge angle with the surface of the workpiece and the cutting tool is then rotated along its longitudinal axis as it is fed into the workpiece.
The cutting action is provided by the chips which are produced by shearing process when the cutting edge cuts into the workpiece. The chips, their shape, and distribution are all dependant upon the cutting parameters of tool geometry and a suitable cutting fluid. The cutting parameters, such as depth of cut, cutting speed, feed rate and depth of the cut into the workpiece are all manipulated in order to optimize the turning process and its economic efficiency.
The types of turning tools used depend on the requirement of the machining operations. For example, single point and multi-point cutting tools are used for roughing and finishing operations respectively. Single point cutting tools have only one cutting edge and are used for producing round shapes on cylindrical workpieces. These tools are made out of high speed steel (HSS) or super alloys coated with the hard materials like nitrides, ceramics, and carbides.
Multi-point cutting tools, such as indexable insert tools, can be used for both roughing and finishing operations. These cutting tools come with multiple cutting edges arranged in a cylindrical body. Cutting edges are changed out rapidly with the help of a clamping system. The most commonly used class of indexable inserts are the ‘round inserts’ which feature four cutting edges around the circumference of a circular tool body.
These multi-point cutting tools offer various advantages such as the ability to adjust depth of cut, improved tool life and better surface finish. These tools have been used in high speed machining operations owing to the superior results in terms of cutting efficiency and economic efficiency.
In addition to the cutting tools, the selection of cutting fluids is also of great importance in ensuring efficient and economical machining processes. Cutting fluids are responsible for cooling and lubricating the cutting tool and workpiece while providing chip evacuation during machining operations. It is important to use a cutting fluid which is properly tailored to the application in order to achieve the desired performance.
In conclusion, the selection and use of cutting tools for turning operations is essential for efficient as well as economic machining. The selection of cutting tools depends on the requirements of the machining process, such as size and shape of the component, feed rate, cutting speed, and depth of cut. In addition, the use of cutting lubricants and fluids is also an important factor in effectively utilizing the cutting tool. Therefore, the proper selection and use of the cutting tools, cutting fluids, and proper application of the cutting tool for turning operations is important to ensure efficient and economical machining processes.
