Grinding Tungsten Carbide Used for Manufacturing Gun Drills

Abstract

Grinding is a highly complex manufacturing process due to the stochastic nature of the active zone (composed of grains, binder, and pores) and, because of the large numbers of parameters, it influences the surface quality and material removal rate, which are the two main goals of this process.An important grinding application is the sharpening of cemented carbide cutting tools. Additional features of these processes compared to other types of grinding are the following: the small surfaces to be processed, which have many edges; high surface quality; small production series; different depths of cut; and specific mechanical properties of the cemented carbides used for cutting tools. The application is important because the quality of the clearance and relief surfaces (of the cutting tool) is important for the precision of the manufactured surface and the tool life of the cutting tool.The research focused on DK460UF tungsten carbide that consists of 91 % WC and 9 % Co. It is the main material used in twist drills, gun drills, end mills, etc.The aim of this study was to determine the optimum manufacturing parameters that lead to the desired surface quality. STATE OF THE ARTGiven its importance, the grinding process has been the subject of many investigations. In his book [1], Shaw presents the first grinding models developed in the 1990s.Currently, a large range of models are being developed. Some of them are physically focused. In this category, we include the fundamental analytical models, the kinematic, finite element method, regression and molecular dynamics. Empirical process models include regression and artificial neural models. The last category comprises the rule base models, which are heuristic [2].Kinematic models explain the grinding mechanisms, the parameters involved in this process, and their interdependence. Fig. 1 shows an original cumulative model of the main elements influencing the grinding process and the logical interaction between them. Grinding Tungsten Carbide Used for Manufacturing Gun Drills

Approach to Reduce Throughput Time in Grinding of Gundrills

“…There are several types of carbide tip based on their coolant holes and guide pads. Tungsten carbide is one of the material used and their grinding method was discussed in the study carried out by [2]. The force system and performance of the welding carbide gun drill to cut AISI 1045 steel was discussed by [3].…”