System of High-performance Cutting with Enhanced Combined Effect of Cooling and Lubrication Medium Based on Ranque-hilsch Effect

Presents the results of the study of the main factors for improvement of the efficiency of high-performance cutting of structural steels. It has been revealed that such improvement should be implemented on the basis of simultaneous enhancement of cooling and lubrication medium (CLM). It is shown that the standard methods of supplying CLM to cutting area or use of air ionized by corona discharge as process medium are not able to effectively cool cutting area during blade cutting because of balance of endothermic and exothermic reactions. The study has considered the possibility of enhancement of CLM on the basis of Ranque-Hilsch Effect, the use of which during cooling of air flow in vortex tube allows overcoming the dew point, resulting thereby in intense air humidification and substantial enhancement of lubricating effect of process medium. It has been found out that cumulative effect of efficient cooling and enhancement of lubricity of ionized air process medium contributes to improvement of the basic characteristics of cutting process, improves tool life and significantly increases the efficiency of high-performance cutting.