A knowledge-based approach for designing effective grooved chip breakers - 2D and 3D chip flow, chip curl and chip breaking

This paper presents details of a knowledge-based approach for designing effective grooved chip breakers for two- and three-dimensional chip flow, curl and breaking. The design criterion used in formulating this new approach is effective chip breaking at minimum power consumption. This work was aimed at achieving the optimum groove parameters and the best utilisation of groove profile under varying machining conditions. A systematic knowledge-pool was established from a series of well-designed machining experiments which form four knowledge databases (reference database, grooved chip breaker database, natural contact length database and 3D chip flow database). This paper shows how the chip breaker design parameters can be estimated for effective chip breaking at reduced power consumption. The basic tool design strategy presented in the paper also includes some guidelines, for cutting tool designers, highlighting the need for implementing a scientific approach for designing a chip breaker against the current practice of "try and see" methods.