How to effectively improve the surface precision of workpieces?

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2022-07-05

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In carbide turning operations, workpiece surface finish is a core indicator for evaluating machining quality, and its compliance is directly influenced by process methods and various machining factors. In actual production, issues with substandard surface finish are relatively common; these can be effectively addressed and improved through the following targeted measures:

1. Reduce the Residual Area Height of Workpieces

The machined surface of the workpiece is formed by the combined cutting action of the primary and secondary cutting edges of the tool. Due to the tool's geometry and the relative motion characteristics between the tool and workpiece, some metal is not completely removed, leaving behind a "residual area" on the machined surface. The height of this residual area directly affects the surface finish accuracy. Optimizing tool parameters and cutting conditions can effectively reduce the height of the residual area; however, careful attention must be paid during implementation:
  1. Prioritize adjusting the auxiliary rake angle. Compared to reducing the main cutting angle, decreasing the auxiliary cutting angle has a more significant effect on lowering the residual surface height. However, reducing the main cutting angle will increase radial cutting resistance and the radial force acting on the workpiece. If the machining system—such as the machine tool, fixture, or workpiece—lacks sufficient rigidity, it may easily lead to vibrations, ultimately compromising precision instead.
  2. Properly set the tool tip arc radius Under the premise that machine tool rigidity allows, appropriately increasing the nose radius of the cutting tool can reduce the height of the residual area. However, it’s important to note that if the radius exceeds the machine tool’s rigidity capacity, the sudden surge in radial resistance may trigger vibrations, ultimately leading to an increase in surface roughness values.
  3. Optimizing Cutting Speed and Feed Rate Increasing the cutting speed and appropriately reducing the feed rate can further decrease the residual surface height, while simultaneously enhancing both machining efficiency and surface finish.

II. Avoid the Formation of Built-Up Edge

When machining ductile materials at lower or medium cutting speeds, the metal in the chip formation zone tends to rub and adhere to the rake face of the tool, forming a "built-up edge" (BUE). This phenomenon is often accompanied by the formation of鳞刺 (scale-like protrusions) and burrs, which significantly degrade the quality of the machined surface. The BUE undergoes a cyclical process of "formation—detachment—reformation—re-detachment": fragments of the detached BUE may stick to the already finished surface, compromising its smoothness. At the same time, the BUE alters the actual working position of the tool's cutting edge, and since it cannot form a sharp cutting edge itself, it easily induces vibrations during machining. Ultimately, this leads to a decline in both the surface quality and dimensional accuracy of the workpiece.
To inhibit built-up edges, you can start with the following approaches:
  1. Adjust the cutting speed : Select the appropriate speed based on the tool material—when using high-speed steel turning tools, reduce the cutting speed and apply cutting fluid to minimize friction and adhesion; when using carbide turning tools, increase the cutting speed to lower metal adhesion through elevated temperatures.
  2. Optimizing tool angles and conditions : By increasing the rake angle of the cutting tool while ensuring blade strength, you can reduce metal deformation and friction in the chip formation zone, effectively suppressing built-up edge. At the same time, it’s essential to regularly sharpen both the front and back faces of the tool to minimize surface roughness and maintain sharpness of the cutting edge.

3. Avoid Wearing Down Bright Spots

During the turning process, if bright spots or highlights appear on the workpiece surface, accompanied by increased machining noise, it usually indicates that the cutting tool is severely worn. A blunted cutting edge is no longer effective at efficiently removing metal; instead, it tends to squeeze the already machined surface of the workpiece, leaving behind shiny marks and significantly increasing the surface roughness. In such cases, it’s essential to stop the machine immediately, either sharpen the tool or replace it with a new one, to prevent further processing from compromising the quality of the workpiece.

4. Preventing Chip Impact on Machined Surfaces

During the cutting process, if chips come into contact with and scrape or pull against the already machined surface of the workpiece, irregular shallow scratches are likely to form, compromising surface accuracy. This issue can be effectively avoided in two ways: First, use a positive rake angle turning tool to guide the chips flowing toward the surface yet to be machined, thereby preventing them from contacting the finished surface. Second, based on the characteristics of the material being processed, implement appropriate chip curling or breaking measures—such as designing chip-breaking grooves or adjusting cutting parameters—to avoid excessively long or irregularly shaped chips that might cause scratching.

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