Investigation of the Effects of the Parametric Variations in Turning Process of En31 Alloy

ABSTRACT: The objective of the paper is to obtain an optimal setting of turning process parameters-cutting speed, feed, depth of cut, cutting tool and cutting fluid which may result in optimizing the thrust force and feed force encountered during machining of EN31 alloy. EN31 is a high carbon alloy steel which achieves a high degree of hardness with compressive strength and abrasion resistance, but is usually known to create major challenges during its machining. Turning is the process known for its capabilities in providing machining efficiency in terms of higher machining rate low tool wear apart from reasonably good surface quality. The study was aimed to investigate the effect of several input parameters of turning operation (cutting tool, cutting oil, cutting speed, feed and depth of cut) on the different response parameters such as thrust force and feed force in turning process on EN31. The result showed that the response variables were strongly influenced by the input parameters. The experiments were performed on conventional lathe machine. Taguchi's robust design methodology has been used for statistical planning of the experiments. Experiments were conducted on conventional lathe machine in a completely random manner to minimize the effect of noise factors present while turning EN31 under different experimental conditions. Two type of tools and three types of coolant were used with three different values of machining parameters (speed, feed and depth of cut)