Bar Machinability Summit
Building upon the successful development of its Bar Machinability Database, which is comprised of test data from a single point turning test, and adoption of its Bar Steel Machinability Estimator that calculates cutting tool life based on defined criterion, SMDI's Bar Machinability Sub-committee is currently gathering industry input to identify critical areas for new research and testing to further foster the use of steel in ground vehicles.
According to insight gathered during a Bar Machinability Summit, there’s a critical need for consistency and predictability in auto steel machining. During the meeting, automakers and industry suppliers provided insight surrounding the future machinability testing needs of the manufacturing base. SMDI’s Bar Machinability Sub-committee will use this feedback for future program planning and work to initiate industry, government and academia collaborations to drive the use of steel as the preferred material for automotive and industrial applications.
PowerPoint Presentations | Press Release | Final Summit Meeting Report
Bar Machinability Database
The Bar Machinability Sub-committee was formed in 1991 to develop a database of automotive bar steel machinability under single point carbide turning conditions. To accomplish this task more than 30 industrially significant steel grades and their variants have been evaluated in the ensuing years.
Overview | Graph: non-coated carbide tools | Database: non-coated carbide tools
Bar Machinability Estimator
The Machinability Estimator was developed for carbon and alloy steels using uncoated carbide tools. The estimates resulting from this estimator are use only as a guideline or relative comparison of workpiece materials in selecting materials and/or machining set-ups and are in no way intended to represent an absolutel value.
Estimator: non-coated carbide tools | Estimator: coated carbide tools (under development)