U-drill embedded with phase change heat transfer device for machining applications

Abstract Metal machining is always associated with the generation of heat. Though heat generated in metal cutting is carried away by the chips, continuous engagement of tool with the workpiece increase the temperature at the tool–work interface and spreads to its neighborhood. In this article, a novel method of removing heat from the tool-work interface is implemented with the use of phase change heat transfer device (heat pipes) and applied for drilling operation carried out by U-drills. A custom built U-drill is designed with a heat pipe placed axially. The temperature of the tool-work interface is estimated analytically using the experimental values of cutting force components. Experiments were conducted at various speeds and feed to measure the performance of the U-drill. It is found that the proposed method of heat pipe (HP) embedded drill bit is able to remove heat and operates at a lower temperature at the tool-chip interface. Results show that a considerable reduction in the cutting force generated at various machining conditions. The heat pipe embedded U-drill will be useful in drilling components made of composite materials where coolants are not widely employed. It was evident from the experimental works that the inclusion of heat pipe in U-drill has brought forth a reduction of cutting temperature of about 30%. This also brought forth a better cutting parameter, and a significant reduction in tool wear increased the tool life which invariably decreases the production cost and time.