Abstract

A new measuring technique is described in the presented paper, which can determine the absolute temperatures at the rake face of diamond - coated inserts during dry turning. Cutting temperatures, which can be measured by this infrared thermographic system, varied with the workpiece material aluminium- (AlZnMgCu1.5) and gray cast iron-(GG25) alloys and the cutting conditions. A good agreement exists between the measured temperatures and the corresponding tool wear values. To verify the repeatable calibration results, there are two methods used and described to measure the spectral directional emissivity of the chip bottom side. This temperature measuring system can be used for determining the machinability of various workpiece materials with new cutting tools. Additionally, it will be an important test equipment to better understand tool wear mechanisms.