Droplet removal from PVD-coated micro-milling tools with the immersed tumbling process

The physical vapour deposition (PVD) process is widely used for the coating of cutting tools. The increased hardness and temperature stability permitted a higher cutting speed and longer tool life in comparison to uncoated tools. Within the PVD-process droplets of the target can be deposited on the coated surface. The consequence is an inhomogeneous surface of the cutting tools with an increased surface roughness. In this study, the immersed tumbling process is used for the droplet removal of micro-milling tools. The results show the functionality of the process for the droplet removal depending of the lapping media and process parameters in connection with the amount and size of the droplets.