Experimental Cutting Tool Temperature Distributions

High temperatures in machining cutting zones activate wear mechanisms that decrease tool life and increase production costs and yet this phenomenon is not fully understood nor characterized. Although experimental work has been performed, the techniques used have generally been difficult to apply, and lacked sufficient resolution and or acceptable accuracy. Theoretical predictions and computational simulations have been performed to gain further insight into this problem but could not be accurately validated due to the lack of sufficient experimental temperature data. Experimental techniques using modern, digital infrared imaging were developed and successfully applied during this study to gather cutting tool temperature distributions from orthogonal machining operations. This new process has seemingly overcome many problems associated with past experimental techniques.