A New Parametric Approach for the Assessment of Comprehensive Tool Wear in Coated Grooved Tools

This paper presents a new methodology for evaluating tool-wear in grooved tool inserts, based on experimental analysis of chip flow. Machining experiments using high speed filming techniques and scanning electron microscopy reveal the strong influence of chip-groove parameters on tool-wear. Four different grooved tool inserts, each with four different coatings, are tested under a wide range of cutting conditions. A new tool-life relationship, including the effects of chip-groove parameters and tool coatings, has been developed and validated for a range of machining conditions on steel 1037M work material.