Characterization of band sawing based on cutting forces

Band sawing is one of the most efficient methods for which in general it is known that uneven tool wear, chatter and cutting blade defects can affect cutting performance significantly. A data acquisition system was arranged on an industrial band saw machine in order to characterize the band sawing process based on measurements of forces. In this paper, the cutting force signals are analyzed in order to demonstrate important relations to workpiece and cutting blade properties. It is shown that cutting forces contain information about in homogeneity of a cut workpiece. Signals of cutting forces also reveal important properties of blade geometry that is related to uneven blade wear. Discontinuities such as blade welding are clearly evident in force signals and it is shown that unevenness of blade backing geometry can cause a significant variation in forces due to wedging between the workpiece and a blade support. An original method for blade shape extraction from force signals is presented in detail. Paper also reports on chatter phenomena observed at specific cutting conditions. Possible solutions to the addressed problems and phenomena are discussed in the conclusion