Research Projects

Laser surface textured cutting inserts can be a sustainable approach to the machining process by reducing friction between the rake surface and sliding chip. However, the sharp edges of grooves in textured tools can cause derivative cutting phenomena, increasing the coefficient of friction and cutting zone temperature. This also increases cutting forces during the machining process. Recently, the use of MQL spray with laser-textured tools has been started, but droplet impact research has found that spray over the textured surface results in droplet rebound and splashing phenomena. These effects negatively affect the substrate's wettability and the effectiveness of heat transfer. There is no existing study on the splashing, rebound, and spreading of coolant spray over the textured cutting tool in the machining domain. This study aims to investigate single and multiple droplet impact over the textured surface, varying the dimensions and shape of the texture by varying the energy density and scan velocity of the laser source. The results will be used to select the dimensions and shapes of textured grooves for surface-engineered inserts. Measuring and tribological testing will be performed under a lubricated regime to observe the reduction in derivative cutting phenomena.