A machining performance study in dry contour turning of aluminum alloys with flat-faced and grooved diamond tools

This paper presents the results from an experimental study of dry contour turning operations on aluminum alloys (6061B and 2011-T3) using PCD flat-faced and diamond coated grooved tools. The machining performance is assessed on the basis of cutting forces, chip flow, chip-form and surface roughness observed during contour turning operations. The constantly varying cutting conditions (especially effective depth of cut due to varying geometry of the contour surface) and effective tool geometry cause a wide fluctuation in cutting forces and the ensuing chip flow. The chip flow angle is measured along the contour geometry using high-speed filming techniques and these results are compared with predicted chip flow values from the measured experimental cutting forces (which are measured along the entire contour geometry). The resultant surface roughness at different locations along the contour profile is measured and correlated with the chip flow and chip-form variations. Machining performance issues specifically relevant to dry contour turning of aluminum (such as problems due to poor chip flow and the resultant poor surface roughness) are studied and the effectiveness of selective work-tool (both tool material and tool geometry) pairs is illustrated.