Cost-effective machining of granite by reducing tribological interactions

In order to implement the cost-effective machining of granite materials with diamond impregnated tools, one should realize low tool wear, low energy consumption, and high cutting efficiency, while the accuracy of the workpiece surfaces are maintained to be satisfactory. It is understood that the main factors affecting the tool wear, the energy, and the efficiency during the machining process are related to the tribological interactions that occur at the interface between the diamond tool surface and the workpiece. Based on this consideration, the authors propose a new machining method to machine granite materials to achieve improved cost effectiveness. In the proposed method, the tribological interactions are maintained to a minimum. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.