Proposal of a combined experimental-simulation methodology for the evaluation of machining temperature in turning processes

Although it is essential to know the cutting temperature in turning operations, it is very complex to measure it by direct procedures because of the contact tool-workpiece is not accessible. In this research, a methodology consisting of a natural thermocouple, built from the contact tool-workpiece, has been validated. For that, it was necessary to measure the temperature of a reference point on the tool rake face and to probe the results by FEM. Three different materials were experimented getting to a good agreement between the real values of the temperature and those obtained by simulation. Particularly, the range of measurement was defined for the Ti-aluminides machining by uncoated WC inserts. In addition, taking into consideration the correlations obtained between the temperatures of the flank contact tool-workpiece and of the tool rake face and the wearing in the flank, the evolution of this last variable would be known.