Cryo Machining Successes?

[MetalMike]

There is small body of work focused on the dry machining technique of cryogenic machining that has been done in academia at Wright University and Columbia University, most work associated with Dr. Shane Hong and associates. Does anyone in this forum have any first hand experience with cryo machining using liquid nitrogen? If so, have you found it to be economical for your particular applications? If so, for what? Cooling the tool tip? Chip cooling? Workpiece cooling? If not, why not? I find the technique to be an intriguing one and certainly, if it works effectively, it is an environmental plus in the reduction of cutting fluids needed and the oily turnings produced that must then be processed and discarded appropriately. Unfortunately, I have not found a wealth of testimonials outside of the lab and in controlled nonproduction environments.

Metal Mike
Technology Director - Applied Technology Group

 

[rana01]

We at Air Products and Chemicals have worked on cryogenic machining for the last seven years to transform it from a lab curiosity to an industrial reality. We own exclusive right to the Wright State/Columbia patent, in addition to six of our own. We've had tremendous success machining hard and difficult to machine materials with productivity improvements in the range of 50 - 200%. Our group recently presented two papers on cryomachining at the ASME Congress in Washington DC. .

 

[Rabibh]

Is there any benefit of coated tools in cryogenic machining? If yes, what type of coatings have been used so far?