Interpretation of Cutting Ability

Abstract

Cutting ability shows how well and economically a material can be machined by cutting. The term is widely used in manufacturing, but there is no agreed, precise definition, usually reflecting the direct interests of the user. It is considered to be a property related to the properties of the material, but there is no generally accepted parameter for measuring it. It is not only influenced by the physical and mechanical properties of the material, but also by the material and design of the cutting tool, the cooling, the stability of the machine tool and the cutting parameters used. Cutting ability can be assessed by various quantitative and qualitative characteristics that apply to the tool, the workpiece and the process. The aim of this article is to present various interpretations of cutting ability, to classify and investigate the parameters that influence cutting ability and characterize it, and to present a methodology for the development of qualitative and quantitative metrics.