Evaluation of chip-breakers manufactured by ultrashort laser pulses in cemented carbide tools

Abstract

Chip-breaker is an obstacle placed on the rake surface of cutting tools to decrease the chip curl radius, promoting its control. Laser beams have been applied as an alternative route to make the structure flexible in relation to traditional techniques. The aim of this work is to evaluate the performance of two chip-breaker models manufactured by ultrashort laser pulses in uncoated cemented carbide tools. Turning tests were carried out in austenitic stainless steel (V304UF) with flat (reference) and chip-breaker tools, keeping the cutting conditions constant. Chip form, machining force and surface roughness parameters (Ra and Rz) were the output variables. The results showed that the chip-breakers successfully controlled the chip and caused a slight reduction in machining force and surface roughness values when compared to flat tool ones.