Green machining. Economical and technicaL potentials

In order to reduce the high cost of finishing advanced ceramics, a strategy of near-net-shape machining in the so-called green state is pursued before sintering. In the case of small lot sizes or when there is a diverse range of parts, green machining offers considerable advantages in terms of quality, economic efficiency and flexibility. Company know-how is based mainly on empirical data; yet this makes inadequate use of the available technological reserves. After analyz- ing the influence of various factors (equipment, process parameters, fool geometry, cutting materials, etc.), the paper will highlight the most important results of experiments carried out at the Fraunhofer Institute of Production Technol- ogy (IPT). Optimum process parameters and tool specifications for turning and milling will be discussed. In a comple- mentary approach, machine tool concepts and components, geared to meeting the specific requirements of green ma- chining, will be considered.