Finite Element Modeling of Cutting Force and Chip Formation During Thermally Assisted Machining of Ti6Al4V Alloy

The improvement in machinability during thermally assisted turning of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy has been investigated using finite element modeling. A 2D thermally assisted turning model was developed and validated by comparing the simulation results with experimental results. The effect of workpiece temperature on the cutting force and chip formation process was examined. The predicted cutting forces and chip morphologies from the simulation strongly correlated with the experimental results. It was observed from the simulation that the chip forms after the coalescence of two deformed regions in the shear band and that the cyclic cutting forces are strongly related to this chip formation process.