Tool life testing in gundrilling: an application of the group method of data handling (GMDH)

Although the known techniques of the design of experiments (DOE) allows significant improvements in the methodology of machining tests, their use in metal cutting is restricted by limited number of variables included into consideration, pre-set model, subjective pre-process decisions and uncertainties in the machining data collected experimentally. This paper introduces an application of a new powerful technique of DOE known as the group method of data handling (GMDH) to the design of tool life experiments that allows avoiding the above-mentioned disadvantages of traditional DOE. As a result of such an application, a mathematical model that correlates tool life in gundrilling of cast iron with various regime and design parameters was obtained. Special care was taken to avoid the influence of the dynamic phenomenon of the gundrilling process on the obtained experimental results. The obtained mathematical model reveals that tool life in gundrilling is a complex function of various regime and design parameters. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.