Influence of Laser Ablation on Wear Behavior of cBN Cutting Inserts

For special applications laser machining is executed as an alternative method to abrasive proeesses for creating eutting tool miero geometries. Also, cutting edge preparation 01 super hard cutting Tools has already been performed successlully. In contrast to abrasive processes, where mainly mechanical loads are applied to the machined body, a high thermal load is induced into the tool during laser ablation. In this paper effeets 01 the heat input on residual stress, phase composition and surface roughness 01 cSN (cubic boron nitride) cutting inserts are investigated. Cutting experiments with tools, whose rake laces had been laser machined with different parameters, were performed. Machining forces as weil as the wear behavior 01 the tools are discussed.