High Performance Machining of Hardened Steel Using CBN Cutting Tools in Die and Hold Manufacturing

摘要

This work studies the performance of cubic boron nitride (CBN) cutting tools when face milling cold work steel AISI D3 (with hardness greater than 60 HRC), which is used in the manufacturing of moulds and dies. After an experimental evaluation and the collection of mould shop information, the main contribution of this work is the demonstration of the viability of this operation for reaching demanding levels of surface quality, in comparison with face milling with WC tools and surface reciprocating grinding. Additionally, a productivity and cost analysis demonstrates that performing finishing operations with CBN cutting tools can be 4.8 times more productive than surface grinding, and can be an economic alternative to be adopted in die and mould manufacturing.