Challenges facing surface engineering technologies in the cutting tool industry

At the advent of the new millennium cutting tool manufacturers are finding themselves supplying tools to a market that demands ever increased performance and reliability. Technological advances in machine tool design, tool control and monitoring systems have helped facilitate the development of high-speed machining, near net machining of difficult to cut materials and dry cutting methods. Parallel advances in cutting tool technology have aided these developments with the application of surface engineering technologies being of prime importance. The current paper considers the shift in workpiece material type used in manufacturing and the subsequent change in the cutting tool materials used to machine them. To take full advantage of the potential benefits of advanced surface engineering treatments the need to address the requirements of a cutting tool in terms of geometry, substrate material, edge preparation and surface treatment are described with reference to TiN coating of high-speed steel circular saw blades. Current trends in cutting tool technology are then considered together with the benefits and practicalities of applying advanced surface engineering coatings. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.