Tool Geometry

Cutting Tools
Single
Point
Cutter

Multiple
Point
Cutter

Cutting Force

Metal Removal Rate = vfd

Cutting Force Metal Removal Rate

Basic metal cutting geometry

Definitions
Face
It is the surface over which the chip flows.

Cutting edge
It carries out the cutting.

Nose
It is the corner, arc or chamfer at the junction of the
major and minor cutting edges.

Flank
It is the surface below the cutting edge.

Definitions
Rack angle
It is the angle between the top face of the tool
and the normal to the work surface at the cutting
edge.
The larger the rake angle, the smaller is the
cutting force on the tool.
It is provided for ease of chip flow and overall
machining. Rake angle may be positive, or
negative or even zero.

=0

(a) positive rake

(b) zero rake

(c) negative rake

Positive rake helps reduce cutting force and thus

cutting power requirement.
Negative rake to increase edge-strength and life of the
tool
Zero rake to simplify design and manufacture of the
form tools.

 Back rack angle

It measures the downward slope of the top surface of the
tool from the nose to the rear along the longitudinal axis.
Its purpose is to guide the direction of chip flow and to
protect the point of cutting tool.

Side rack angle

It measures the slope of the top surface of the tool to the
side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

End cutting edge angle

It is the angle between the face of the tool and a plane
perpendicular to the side of the flank.

 It acts as a relief angle that allows only small action of the end
cutting edge to contact the machined surface and prevents
chatter and vibration.

Side cutting edge angle

It is the angle between the side cutting edge and the
longitudinal axis of the tool.
It provides formation of built up edge, controls the direction of
chip flow and distributes the cutting force and heat produced
over larger cutting edge.

Side relief angle

It is the angle made by the flank of the tool and a plane
perpendicular to the base just under the side cutting edge.

 It permits the tool to be fed side-way into the job so that it

can cut without rubbing.

End relief angle

It is the angle between a plane perpendicular to the base
and the end flank.
It prevents the cutting tool from rubbing against the job.

Nose radius
It is provided to increase finish and strength of the cutting
tip of the tool.
Small radii will produce smooth finishes and are used on
thin cross-section of work.
Large radii strengthen the tool and are used on cast iron
and castings, where the cuts are interrupted.