Surface Integrity of Laser Machined Carbide Cutting Tools within the PVD-Coating Process Chain

The final state of PVD-coated carbide cutting teals is a result of a series of manufacturing steps within a process chain. When laser machining is applied instead cf conventional mechanical abrasive processes for the creation of tool micro geometries, an alteration of this process chain takes place. The consequences of laser machining on surface integrity of carbide tools is investigated, as well as the influence of the subsequent process steps up to and including PVD-coating on the laser machined surface.