Dry cutting performance and heat transfer simulation of pulsating heat pipe self-cooling tool holder

To reduce the use of cutting fluid, the concept of transforming the tool or holder into an automatic heat dissi-pation device was proposed. A novel structure of pulsating heat pipe self-cooling tool holder was designed to improve the cutting performance. The temperature of the cutting insert, the flank wear, and tool life improve-ment of pulsating heat pipe self-cooling tool were studied by experiment for cutting Ti6Al4V alloys. Results show that the cutting temperature of pulsating heat pipe self-cooling tool holder is generally lower than that of the prototype tool holder. The wear reduction ratio is 10 %-20 %, while the ratio of tool life increase is about 10 %. The temperature distribution in the actual cutting process was simulated by FEM with the loading of heat flux on the tool-chip contact area. The FEM simulations show that compared with the prototype tool, the temperature gradient distribution of the pulsating heat pipe self-cooling tool holder is denser. The temperature drops faster along the gradient direction, and the temperature of the tool tip is lower. The FEM simulations show a good agreement with the cutting experiment, as a result, prove the successful application of this novel structure in cooling for dry cutting.

Automated summary

By designing a pulsating heat pipe self-cooling tool holder, the cutting temperature can be effectively reduced, wear can be reduced, and tool life can be extended. The experimental results prove the successful application of this new structure.