Investigations into cutting forces and surface roughness in micro turning of titanium alloy using coated carbide tool

Micro turning is one of the tool based micromachining process used for manufacturing axi-symmetric miniaturized parts. This paper presents the development of micro turning setup and investigations on cutting forces and surface roughness during micro turning process. Titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) and coated carbide tool (TiN/AlTiN) is considered as work piece and tool material respectively. Experiments have been conducted by varying the cutting speed, feed and depth of cut. Piezoelectric dynamometer is used to measure the cutting forces during the process. Cutting forces decreases by increasing the cutting speed due to thermal softening where as at low depth of cut, cutting forces increases with increase of cutting speed due to material strengthening effect. Surface roughness increases when uncut chip thickness is less than the edge radius, due to rubbing and ploughing action. Improved roughness is observed when uncut chip thickness and depth of cut is greater than edge radius. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd.