From macro to micro, evolution of surface structures on cutting tools: a review

Abstract

In modern tool industry, the design and manufacture of cutting tool surface have been highlighted to fulfill the ever-increasing demands of advanced manufacturing, e.g., lean production, intelligent manufacturing and Industry 4.0. Chip-breaker is a triumph of applying the specific macro structure on rake face, not only contributing to chip controlling, but also being capable to reduce cutting force and tool temperature. In recent decade, surface texturing has been emerged on tool surface, indicating that research focus of surface structures on tools is evolving from macroscale to microscale. The present study reviews functions, optimization and manufacture approaches of different scale structures on cutting tools, aiming at providing a global view of related technologies and revealing the possible developing tendency in this field. This paper could greatly facilitate future research and industrial application of tool surface modification, especially for the integrated application in multi-scale.