There are many ways to process metals, among which cutting is one of the more common and widely used processes. In CNC metal cutting services, cutting fluid plays a vital role.
There is much friction between the tool and the workpiece and between the tool and the chip as metal is cut. It increases the cutting force, cutting heat, and workpiece deformation, leading to tool wear and tear, and also affects the quality of the machined surface of the workpiece.
The roles of cutting fluid can be seen in the following four aspects.
1. The cutting fluids have a cooling function
It can reduce the cutting temperature, reduce tool wear, extend tool life, prevent thermal expansion of the workpiece, prevent warpage from affecting machining accuracy, and cool the machined surface to generate less thermal deterioration.
2. The cutting fluids have a lubricating function
Cutting fluids can reduce the friction, wear and melt, and adhesion between the front tool surface and chips, and between the back tool surface and the workpiece surface. Good cutting fluid can reduce friction between the tool's two sides, reducing power, increasing tool life, and obtaining better surface quality under certain conditions. And more importantly, it reduces the chance of generating built-up edges.
3. The cutting fluid has a cleaning function
As a result of the cutting process, tiny chips, metal powders, and grinding wheel grit powders adhere to the tool, two processing surfaces, and machine tool between the moving parts, especially during cast iron processing, honing, and accurate grinding. They cause the deterioration of the workpiece surface quality, tool wear, and machine precision. Thus, cutting fluid must excel at cleaning, which requires much pressure to improve the flushing ability to remove fine chips, sands, and binder powders effectively.
4. The cutting fluid has an anti-rust function
Due to the surrounding media such as moisture, oxygen, hand sweat, acid, and airborne dust, the workpiece and machine tool will rust during the machining process. In the high temperature, high humidity seasons, or humid areas, rust is more prevalent. Since the parts processed in China have a long turnaround time in the workshop, the cutting fluid must prevent rust in the machine tools, tools, and workpieces.
In short, due to its excellent performance, cutting fluid is very important in metal cutting. In addition to extending tool life, improving accuracy, preventing corrosion of the workpiece and the machine tool, and improving the efficiency of cutting and processing, the appropriate choice of cutting fluid can also reduce energy consumption and production costs.
