Design and development of next generation textured cutting tools for improved tribological properties during machining

About the Project

3 Year Self funded project

Surface texturing/structuring has witnessed a substantial progress over the past decades as it is seen as a viable option for surface engineering, resulting in significant improvements in load capacity, wear resistance and friction coefficient of tribo-mechanical parts, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable manufacturing and surface functionalisation of components. Various techniques of surface texturing have been developed over the years including additive and subtractive methods such as abrasive machining, reactive ion etching, electron beam and electro discharge texturing. In comparison to other subtractive material processing technologies, laser surface texturing (LST) has attracted considerable interest over the past ~20 years due to its superior flexibility, selectivity, accuracy, efficiency and capability for producing tailor-made surfaces with varying wettability, adhesion and friction properties.

The broad aim of this project is to investigate the effectiveness of LST primarily in dry machining. Dry machining with textured cutting tools has enormous prospects in sustainable design and manufacturing as it can replace the use of environmentally hazardous cutting fluids. However, it is imperative to identify the texture designs, i.e. LST patterns, and subsequently validate them in order to maximise their functional effects.

The following objectives will be undertaken in the project:

1. First, some of the previous research work on textured cutting tools will be replicated in order to verify the concept;
2. Design and optimisation of the textured patterns as well as the laser processing parameters suitable for producing them;
3. Evaluation of the tribological properties of the laser treated specimens;
4. Testing of the machining performance of the laser textured cutting tools.

Academic Criteria

Candidates should hold a good bachelor’s degree (first or upper second-class honours degree) or an MEng/MSc degree in a relevant engineering/science subject.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)