Experimental Investigation on the Effects of Tool Geometry and Cutting Conditions on Machining Behavior during Edge Finishing of Granite Using Concave and Chamfered Profiling Tools.

Granite edge finishing through grinding is a common process in the granite processing industry, crucial for achieving the final desired shape and edge quality of products. This study focuses on the granite industry, specifically delving into the significance of grinding and polishing for improving aesthetics and extending material longevity. The experimental design entails a comprehensive factorial experiment plan involving two workpiece materials (white and black granite samples) and two cutting tool edge shapes (chamfer and concave), each with two grit sizes: G150 and G600. The cutting conditions varied and consisted of variations in spindle speeds (1500, 2500, 3500 rpm), feed rates (500, 1000, 1500 mm/min), and lubrication modes (wet/dry). The results uncover intricate relationships among these parameters and part quality, underscoring the pivotal role of tool geometry in achieving superior surface finishes and in controlling the cutting forces. These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of the dynamic interplay between tool characteristics, material properties, and machining conditions within the granite industry.

Experimental Investigation on Part Quality and Dust Emission during Minimum Quantity Lubricated (MQL) Edge Finishing of Granite.

Edge-finishing of granites by grinding is a process frequently used in the granite processing industry to generate the final desired shape and edge quality of products. However, this process releases significant amounts of fine and ultrafine particles (FPs and UFPs) containing crystalline silica. When inhaled, this dust can cause silicosis disease and threaten the health and safety of workers. The purpose of this study is to optimize the process by decreasing the concentrations of dust generated while also maintaining the required surface finish. Experimental tests were planned and performed on granite samples using a full factorial design. Two cutting tool edge shapes were studied (chamfer and concave) using G150 and G600 grit size tools, at various spindle speeds (1500, 2500, 3500 rpm), feed rates (500, 1000, 1500 mm/min) and lubrication flow rates (20, 40, 60 mL/min). The findings show that the particle emissions as well as the surface finish depend on the tool shape, its grit size, and the machining and lubrication parameters used. Higher MQL flow rates led to better finished surface quality and lower concentrations of fine dust. Polishing with flood lubrication reduces the maximum number concentration of FPs corresponding to particles smaller than 1 µm diameter by about 85% as compared to dry polishing and produced the best surface finish. Polishing with lubrication in MQL mode at 60 mL/min led to the production of part with Ra-value comparable with that obtained in flood lubrication condition.

Characterization of Si and SiO2 in Dust Emitted during Granite Polishing as a Function of Cutting Conditions.

Particles emitted during manufacturing processes such as polishing can represent a serious danger for the environment and for occupational safety. The formation mechanisms responsible for these dust emissions include chip formation, friction at the tool/workpiece and chip/tool interfaces, shearing and cutting. These mechanisms thus depend on workpiece and tool properties, as well as the polishing conditions. In the case of granite polishing, particle emissions during polishing can contain chemical compounds such as silica, which represent harmful health risks for the worker. It is therefore important to characterize the particles emitted and to search for possible interactions between the particles (size and composition) and the machining conditions in order to find ways of reducing emissions at the source. In this study, an investigation was undertaken to characterize the particles emitted during granite polishing as a function of polishing conditions, type of granite, and abrasive grit sizes used. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed for particle morphology characterization and particle grain size and chemical composition were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques, respectively. Results show that the influence of polishing speed and feed rate on particle emission depends mainly on the granite type used, providing useful information for controlling the polishing procedure, and thereby dust emission.

CNC Edge Finishing of Granite: Effect of Machining Conditions on Part Quality, Cutting Forces, and Particle Emissions.

Edge finishing is a shaping process that is extremely important in the granite and marble processing industries. It does not only shape the edge but also makes it shiny and durable. However, this process generates dust (fine and ultrafine particles) that can have a significant impact on air quality in the workshop and can put workers' health at risk. While environmental requirements and occupational health and safety regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, at the same time, industries must continue to produce quality parts at competitive prices. The purpose of this study was to examine the surface quality, the cutting forces, and the emission of fine (FP) and ultrafine (UFP) particles during wet and dry edge finishing of granite edges as a function of the machining parameters and abrasive grit sizes. Three machining operations were investigated: roughing, semi-finishing, and finishing, using diamond abrasives (with grit sizes 45, 150, 300, 600, 1500, and 3000). The experiments were carried out on two granites, one being black and the other white. The tested spindle speeds ranged from 1500 rpm to 3500 rpm and the feed rates from 500-1500 mm/min. It was found that roughing operations produce more fine particles while finishing operations produce more ultrafine particles. These particle emissions, as well as the part quality and the cutting forces are strongly dependent on cutting speed and on the grit size of the abrasive used.

Experimental Investigation on Dry Routing of CFRP Composite: Temperature, Forces, Tool Wear, and Fine Dust Emission.

This article presents the influence of machining conditions on typical process performance indicators, namely cutting force, specific cutting energy, cutting temperature, tool wear, and fine dust emission during dry milling of CFRPs. The main goal is to determine the machining process window for obtaining quality parts with acceptable tool performance and limited dust emission. For achieving this, the cutting temperature was examined using analytical and empirical models, and systematic cutting experiments were conducted to assess the reliability of the theoretical predictions. A full factorial design was used for the experimental design. The experiments were conducted on a CNC milling machine with cutting speeds of 10,000, 15,000, and 20,000 rpm and feed rates of 2, 4, and 6 µm/tooth. Based on the results, it was ascertained that spindle speed significantly affects the cutting temperature and fine particle emission while cutting force, specific cutting energy, and tool wear are influenced by the feed rate. The optimal conditions for cutting force and tool wear were observed at a cutting speed of 10,000 rpm. The cutting temperature did not exceed the glass transition temperature for the cutting speeds tested and feed rates used. The fine particles emitted ranged from 0.5 to 10 µm aerodynamic diameters with a maximum concentration of 2776.6 particles for those of 0.5 µm diameters. Finally, results of the experimental optimization are presented, and the model is validated. The results obtained may be used to better understand specific phenomena associated with the milling of CFRPs and provide the means to select effective milling parameters to improve the technology and economics of the process.

Experimental Investigation on Machinability of Polypropylene Reinforced with Miscanthus Fibers and Biochar.

The machinability of composite materials depends on reinforcements, matrix properties, cutting parameters, and on the cutting tool used (material, coating, and geometry). For new composites, experimental studies must be performed in order to understand their machinability, and thereby help manufacturers establishing appropriate cutting data. In this study, investigations are conducted to analyze the effects of cutting parameters and drill bit diameter on the thrust force, surface roughness, specific cutting energy, and dust emission during dry drilling of a new hybrid biocomposite consisting of polypropylene reinforced with miscanthus fibers and biochar. A full factorial design was used for the experimental design. It was found that the feed rate, the spindle speed, and the drill bit diameter have significant effects on the thrust force, the surface roughness, and the specific cutting energy. The effects of the machining parameters and the drill bit diameter on ultrafine particles emitted were not statistically significant, while the feed rate and drill bit diameter had significant effects on fine particle emission.

ÉquiNanos: innovative team for nanoparticle risk management.

Interactions between nanoparticles (NP), humans and the environment are not fully understood yet. Moreover, frameworks aiming at protecting human health have not been adapted to NP but are nonetheless applied to NP-related activities. Consequently, business organizations currently have to deal with NP-related risks despite the lack of a proven effective method of risk-management. To respond to these concerns and fulfill the needs of populations and industries, ÉquiNanos was created as a largely interdisciplinary provincial research team in Canada. ÉquiNanos consists of eight platforms with different areas of action, from adaptive decision-aid tool to public and legal governance, while including biological monitoring. ÉquiNanos resources aim at responding to the concerns of the Quebec nanotechnology industry and public health authorities. Our mandate is to understand the impact of NP on human health in order to protect the population against all potential risks emerging from these high-priority and rapidly expanding innovative technologies. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: In this paper by Canadian authors an important framework is discussed with the goal of acquiring more detailed information and establishing an infrastructure to evaluate the interaction between nanoparticles and living organisms, with the ultimate goal of safety and risk management of the rapidly growing fields of nanotechnology-based biological applications.