A study of an improved cutting mechanism of composite materials using novel design of diamond micro-core drills

Butler-Smith, P. W.; Axinte, D. A.; Daine, M.; Kennedy, A. R.; Harper, L. T.; Bucourt, J. F.; Ragueneau, R.

Abstract

Core drilling at small diameters in carbon composite materials is largely carried out using diamond electroplated tools consisting of hollow shafts and simplistic geometries that are likely to work in an abrasional/rubbing mode for material removal. The paper reports a step change in the performance of small diameter core drilling by facilitating a shearing mechanism of the composite workpiece through the utilisation of a novel tool design. This has been achieved by laser producing core drills from solid polycrystalline diamond, incorporating controlled cutting edges where the geometries are defined. To evaluate the efficiency of the shearing vs. abrasion/rubbing cutting mechanisms, a critical comparison between the novel (defined cutting edges) and the conventional electroplated tools (randomly distributed micro-grains) has been made with reference to thrust forces, tool wear mechanisms and their influences on the hole quality (e.g. delamination, fibre pullout). This work has been augmented by studies using high-speed thermal imaging of the two tool types in operation. The examinations have shown that, based on the concept of defined cutting edges in solid diamond, there is the possibility to make significant improvements in core drilling performance, (ca. 26% lower thrust force, minimal tool surface clogging, lower drilling temperatures) resulting in improved cleanliness of fibre fracture and a reduced tendency of material delamination.

Citation

Butler-Smith, P. W., Axinte, D. A., Daine, M., Kennedy, A. R., Harper, L. T., Bucourt, J. F., & Ragueneau, R. (2015). A study of an improved cutting mechanism of composite materials using novel design of diamond micro-core drills. International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, 88, 175-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2014.10.002

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 1, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Oct 30, 2014
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Deposit Date: Mar 19, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 2, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture
• Print ISSN: 0890-6955
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-2170
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 88
• Pages: 175-183
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2014.10.002
• Keywords: Engineered micro-core-drill, Carbon composite, Polycrystalline diamond, Electroplated diamond abrasive
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2364764
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890695514001485?via%3Dihub