How can you select the best cutting tools for robotic applications?

1 Material compatibility

The first thing you need to know is what material you are cutting with your robot. Different materials have different properties, such as hardness, toughness, thermal conductivity, and chemical resistance, that affect how they interact with the cutting tool. For example, cutting steel requires a different tool than cutting aluminum or plastic. You should choose a cutting tool that is compatible with the material you are working with, in terms of its composition, coating, and edge preparation. A compatible tool will reduce friction, heat, wear, and vibration, and improve the surface finish and accuracy of the cut.

3 Speed and feed adjustment

The speed and feed of the cutting tool are the two main parameters that determine how fast and how deep the tool cuts the material. The speed is the rotational velocity of the tool, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), while the feed is the linear velocity of the tool or the workpiece, measured in inches per minute (IPM) or millimeters per minute (MMPM). The speed and feed of the tool depend on the material, the geometry, and the desired quality of the cut. You should choose a speed and feed that match the capabilities of your robot and your cutting tool, and that optimize the productivity and the performance of the cut. For example, a higher speed will increase the material removal rate, but it will also increase the heat and wear of the tool. A lower speed will reduce the heat and wear, but it will also reduce the material removal rate. A higher feed will also increase the material removal rate, but it will also increase the force and vibration of the tool. A lower feed will reduce the force and vibration, but it will also reduce the material removal rate. You can use formulas, charts, or software to calculate the optimal speed and feed for your cutting tool and your robotic application.

4 Wear monitoring

The last thing you need to do is to monitor the wear of your cutting tool, which is the gradual loss of material or shape of the tool due to friction, heat, and impact with the workpiece. Wear can affect the quality and accuracy of the cut, as well as the life and performance of the tool. You should inspect your cutting tool regularly for signs of wear, such as flank wear, crater wear, edge chipping, thermal cracking, or built-up edge. You should also measure the tool wear using tools such as calipers, micrometers, or optical devices. You should replace or sharpen your cutting tool when it reaches a certain level of wear, which depends on the material, the geometry, the speed, and the feed of the tool. You can use guidelines, standards, or experience to determine the acceptable level of wear for your cutting tool and your robotic application.