Effect of tool and tool path selection on tool wear on different wooden surfaces with complex shapes

The natural characteristic structure of wood, which varies depending on the type and production structure of the wood, makes its processing in machines much more complicated than other materials. In addition, the fact that the fiber direction, moisture content, density, physical and chemical properties of wood differ in each wood material necessitates the determination of different cutting parameters and different cutting tools for each wood. This issue becomes even more important in CNC machines that can cut with precise cutting values. In CNC woodworking machines, the selection of tool path and cutting tool parameters to be used in the processing of wood-based workpieces is mostly made according to the experiences of the machine operator and the catalog information of cutting tool manufacturers, rather than scientific data. In addition, there is no information on the wear values of cutting tools used in CNC processes, especially in the wood sector. Operators using CNC machines determine that the cutting tool has become dull as a result of wear and replace it as a result of personal experiences. Within the scope of this study, the optimal values of the feed rate, speed, cutting tool immersion rate for the wood materials to be processed in CNC woodworking machines and the amount of wear that will occur as a result of the process to be carried out on the cutting tools to be used were measured and the factors causing tool wear were compared. The tool wear occurring in the cutting tools was measured with a stereo microscope. In addition, single-sided laminated medium-density fiberboard (MDF), particle board, oak solid board produced from Istranca oaks and black pine materials were used in the experiments. Two different cutting tools with oval tips containing carbide in 3mm and 5mm diameters were used in the experiments. As a result of the experiments, the evaluation reached by considering all tool path strategies showed that the highest tool wear occurred on the oak solid board material. Oak solid board material is followed by particle board and laminated medium-density fiber board. Black pine material was in the last place. When evaluated in terms of cutting tool factor, it was measured that the 5 mm diameter cutting tool was worn more than the 3 mm diameter cutting tool.