Process and tool development for micromilling of cemented carbides

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Dirk Biermann; Professor Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Tillmann
• Subject Area: Metal-Cutting and Abrasive Manufacturing Engineering
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 504088406

The micromachining of high-strength materials such as hard metals is a promising field of research, taking into account current developments in the field of miniaturization of components and tools. Up to now, first investigations on the machining of hard metal workpieces exist mainly in the field of macro-machining using PCD-coated tools, which, however, do not allow a transfer of the interactions and chip formation mechanisms for micro-machining. Comprehensive scientific observations and analyses of the mechanisms and process-relevant correlations to the tool design for the machining of hard metal materials by means of PVD-coated hard metal micro tools (d ≤ 1 mm) with nitridic or boridic hard material layers are completely unknown. The specific design of the cutting edge shape to produce a ductile chip formation enables the machining of WC-Co materials. In comparison to alternative processes, there is a great potential for the generation of efficient surface systems. Therefore, the research project pursues the superordinate scientific goal of identifying the basic mechanisms and interrelationships of micro-machining of hard metal materials with varying hard phase and binder content and thus making micromilling machining of this class of materials accessible. In order to achieve this goal, the interdisciplinary research approach between the Institute of Machining Technology (ISF, Prof. Biermann) and the Chair of Materials Engineering (LWT, Prof. Tillmann) will research the fundamentals for the development of tribological-adapted microtools for carbide cutting on the process and on the tool side.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants