An approach to determine transition area from conventional to high-speed machining by means of chip shape analysis

High speed machining became a common machining solution for various machining applications. This fact is caused by many advantages that HSM can offer to manufacturers – good surface quality, shorter production cycles etc... Yet, the main problem producers faces here is increasing costs generated by high cutting tool price used in this application. This problem is common denominator most of the today high speed machining investigation. The paper shows an example of solving the problem by analyzing chip shape generated in this process in order to determine minimal cutting speed to be used in high speed area. In that sense it has been introduced new factor authors called “measure of segmentation”, Ms, used to make clear distinction between conventional and high speed regions. Therefore, this cutting speed or cutting regime can contribute in increasing cutting tool life and improving economic benefits of HSM processes.