Experimental investigation of Machining Surface in Thermally Enhanced Machining using Taguchi’s Approach.

Abstract

Hot-machining operation is a machining method conducted on conventional machine tools in which work piece is preheated before cutting operation to become softer and thereby to reduce its shear strength and hardness. Due to reduction in hardness and shear strength, it becomes easy to cut materials as resulting low forces and gives improved surface fining of the product, extended tool life is another added advantage. As it known that the machining of hard materials such as EN 31 steel, which has high strength and toughness, has always been a great challenge. EN 31 steel consist of high chromium content which contributes to high hardness and wear resistance complicating the machining process.  Machining of these alloys and materials requires cutting tool of high strength, which is sometimes not economical and sometimes even impracticable. Also during the machining maintaining of optimum temperature is also important as an excessive generated heat can cause tool wear and affects the quality of surface finish. Thus, the focus of the project work is to optimize the response that is “surface roughness” of hot machining (turning) process by controlling the process parameters like Temperature, Cutting Speed, Depth of cut.