Predicting the Angle of Chip Flow for Single-Point Cutting Tools

Abstract Current practice for predicting tool life is entirely empirical; consequently, a prohibitive number of tests must be conducted in order to take all influential factors into consideration in predicting tool performance for a specific set of cutting conditions. One of these factors is the direction of chip flow across the tool face. This determines the effective rake angle which in turn affects the tool life. The usefulness and application of present tool-life data and that to be obtained will be greatly expanded if they can be correlated with the rake angle in the direction of chip flow. However, such a correlation, once established, will be useful only if it is possible to predict the direction of chip flow for a given tool used with any combination of cutting conditions. This paper presents a method for predicting the direction of chip flow over a range of tool shape and cutting conditions, thus establishing a necessary basis for the successful completion of the second phase of the over-all objective.