The curved uncut chip thickness model: A general geometric model for mechanistic cutting force predictions

The curved uncut chip thickness model is introduced to predict the cutting forces for general uncut chip geometries using the mechanistic approach. Classical geometric models assume that the cutting force is distributed along straight elementary sections of the uncut chip area, which has limited physical validity, but makes mathematical treatments easier for simple cases. The new model assumes that the flow of the material on the contact area of the tool is given by a continuous vector field, according to which the curved uncut chip thickness is measured. The cutting force is distributed along these paths, which leads to a mathematically unique and consistent solution for regular and complex cutting edge geometries. These curved paths can be generated by basic mechanical models, which mimic the more realistic motion of the chip segments along the rake face, without the need of explicit time-consuming cutting simulations. The presented computational procedure generalizes cutting force prediction based on geometric parameters, orthogonal cutting data and the orthogonal to oblique transformations only. The effectiveness of the model for various cutting edge geometries (e.g., thread turning inserts) under extreme cutting conditions is presented in case studies, laboratory and industrial experiments.