Modulated Tool-Path Chip Breaking For Depleted Uranium Machining Operations

Conference · Thu Apr 15 04:00:00 EDT 2010

OSTI ID:977168

Barkman, W E; Babelay, Jr, E F; Smith, K S; S, Assaid T; McFarland, J T; Tursky, D A

Turning operations involving depleted uranium frequently generate long, stringy chips that present a hazard to both the machinist and the machine tool. While a variety of chip-breaking techniques are available, they generally depend on a mechanism that increases the bending of the chip or the introduction of a one dimensional vibration that produces an interrupted cutting pattern. Unfortunately, neither of these approaches is particularly effective when making a 'light depth-of-cut' on a contoured workpiece. The historical solution to this problem has been for the machinist to use long-handled tweezers to 'pull the chip' and try to keep it submerged in the chip pan; however, this approach is not practical for all machining operations. This paper discusses a research project involving the Y-12 National Security Complex and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in which unique, oscillatory part programs are used to continuously create an interrupted cut that generates pre-defined, user-selectable chip lengths.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant (Y-12), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Defense Programs (DP)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22800
• OSTI ID: 977168
• Report Number(s): Y/DX-2883
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
BENDING
DEPLETED URANIUM
MACHINE TOOLS
MACHINING