A Hybrid Remaining Useful Life Prediction Method for Cutting Tool Considering the Wear State

Accurate cutting tool remaining useful life (RUL) prediction is of significance to guarantee the cutting quality and minimize the production cost. Recently, physics-based and data-driven methods have been widely used in the tool RUL prediction. The physics-based approaches may not accurately describe the time-varying wear process due to a lack of knowledge for underlying physics and simplifications involved in physical models, while the data-driven methods may be easily affected by the quantity and quality of data. To overcome the drawbacks of these two approaches, a hybrid prognostics framework considering tool wear state is developed to achieve an accurate prediction. Firstly, the mapping relationship between the sensor signal and tool wear is established by support vector regression (SVR). Then, the tool wear statuses are recognized by support vector machine (SVM) and the results are put into a Bayesian framework as prior information. Thirdly, based on the constructed Bayesian framework, parameters of the tool wear model are updated iteratively by the sliding time window and particle filter algorithm. Finally, the tool wear state space and RUL can be predicted accordingly using the updating tool wear model. The validity of the proposed method is demonstrated by a high-speed machine tool experiment. The results show that the presented approach can effectively reduce the uncertainty of tool wear state estimation and improve the accuracy of RUL prediction.

Wear Mechanism of Multilayer Coated Carbide Cutting Tool in the Milling Process of AISI 4340 under Cryogenic Environment

Cryogenic technique is the use of a cryogenic medium as a coolant in machining operations. Commonly used cryogens are liquid nitrogen (LN2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) because of their low cost and non-harmful environmental impact. In this study, the effects of machining conditions and parameters on the wear mechanism were analysed in the milling process of AISI 4340 steel (32 HRC) under cryogenic conditions using a multilayer coated carbide cutting tool (TiAlN/AlCrN). A field emission scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis was used to examine the wear mechanisms comprehensively. At low machining parameters, abrasion and adhesion were the major wear mechanisms which occurred on the rake face. Machining at high machining parameters caused the removal of the coating material on the rake face due to the high temperature and cutting force generated during the cutting process. In addition, it was found that continuously adhered material on the rake face would lead to crater wear. Furthermore, the phenomenon of oxidation was also observed when machining at high cutting speed, which resulted in diffusion wear and increase in the crater wear. Based on the relationship between the cutting force and cutting temperature, it can be concluded that these machining outputs are significant in affecting the progression of tool wear rate, and tool wear mechanism in the machining of AISI 4340 alloy steel.

New support roller profile design for railway wheel re-profiling process by under-floor lathes with a single cutting tool

The wheel re-profiling is an important part of railway wheelset maintenance. Researchers and railway operators have been very concerned about how to minimize the loss of time during wheel re-profiling without decreasing safety. Avoiding wheelset disassembly means considerable time savings, while reducing wheel damage during operation. Underfloor wheel lathes are the most appropriate tool to achieve this double objective, and therefore the most used nowadays. Multi-cut tool lathes have the disadvantage of being extremely expensive. On the other hand, with single tool lathes, re-profiling is not smooth or safe enough when current convex profile support rollers are used. It is well known by the companies that during reprofiling the wheel suffers impacts/damaged. In this article, a methodology to optimize the profile of the support rollers used in underfloor single tool lathes for railway wheel re-profiling is proposed. This novel profile design will minimize damage and increase the safety of such lathes, since it proposes a greater smoothness in the process. Simulations of re-profiling process have been carried out by the finite element method showing that the designed roller profile reduces drastically the impact/damage during the operation. The impact generated between the re-profiling wheel and the rollers is avoided. Profile-optimized support rollers have been used in a real underfloor wheel lathe, showing good results.

Predicting Cutting Force and Primary Shear Behavior in Micro-Textured Tools Assisted Machining of AISI 630: Numerical Modeling and Taguchi Analysis

The cutting tool heats up during the cutting of high-performance super alloys and it negatively affects the life of the cutting tool. Improved tool life can enhance both the machinability and sustainability of the cutting process. To improve the tool life preferably cutting fluids are utilized. However, the majority of cutting fluids are non-biodegradable in nature and pose harmful threats to the environment. It has been established in the metal cutting literature that introducing microgrooves at the cutting tool rake face can significantly reduce the coefficient of friction (COF). Reduction in the COF promotes anti-adhesive behavior that improves the tool life. The current study numerically investigates the orthogonal cutting process of AISI 630 Stainless Steel using different micro grooved cutting tools. Results of the numerical simulations point to the positive influence of micro grooves on tool life. The results of the main effects found that the cutting temperature was decreased by approximately 10% and 7% with rectangular and triangular micro grooved tools, respectively. Over machining performance indicated that rectangular micro groove tools provided comparatively better performance.

Development of a Method for Obtaining a Wear-Resistant Coating for a Cutting Tool

The article presents a method for producing a nanostructured wear-resistant high-hard coating with high physicomechanical and strength characteristics, resistance to shock and vibration loads. The result is an increase in adhesion between the substrate and the coating, as well as an increase in microhardness. One of the common methods of metal cutting is band-cutting machines that use closed band saws as cutting tools. Since materials with high physicomechanical characteristics (hardness, strength, etc.) are increasingly being used in modern production, which significantly complicates the cutting process and makes increased demands on the cutting tool. To expand the range of processed materials for which the productive use of band-cutting machines is possible, it became necessary to create a band saw with higher cutting characteristics. At the same time, the specificity of the working conditions of the band saw shows that the blade should have such characteristics as increased vibration resistance, resistance to alternating and dynamic loads, and the cutting part of the saw should have increased resistance to shock, dynamic, alternating loads, have high hardness, as well as increased wear resistance.

A Comparative Experimental Study on Machining Performance of Aluminium against Advanced Diamond Coated Cutting Tool Inserts

Carbide tools with mono/multilayer coating such as TiN, TiC, TiAIN, TiB2 and Al2O3 on inserts of WC-Co generated key success for machining of ferrous materials without coolant/lubrication. So far dry machining of aluminium, manufacturing industries such as automobile and aerospace engineering are facing considerable challenges. Exploration of correct cutting tool for machining of aluminium still persists in the present day context. This paper experimentally investigated the affinity and performance of different cutting tool materials available in local tool shopping center along with the diamond coated tool insert prepared and developed in our own HFCVD reactor for machining of aluminium in dry condition. Finally it is revealed that, due to the low chemical affinity, small magnitude of cutting force, chemical inertness and remarkable anti-welding characteristics, diamond coated tool displayed improved performance as compared to other tools.