METHOD OF ASSESSING TOOL-LIFE IN GROOVED TOOLS

A method is provided for assessing tool-wear and predicting tool-life for a selected cutting tool performing a machining operation. The method is broadly defined as including the steps of determining a tool coating effect factor and a chip-groove effect factor for the coated, grooved cutting tool. Additionally, the method includes the calculation of a tool-life for the coated, grooved cutting tool. The method takes into account selected machining operation conditions such as the characteristics of the workpiece material to be cut, the depth of cut, the feed rate, the cutting speed and the cutting tool geometry.