Tool grinding of end mill cutting tools made from high performance ceramics and cemented carbides

The paper presents different approaches to improve the process knowledge in tool grinding with a focus on ceramic shank-type end mills. The flute grinding operation was analyzed using a kinematical simulation to acquire an insight into the local distribution of the material removal rate or the microscopic chip parameters. Further investigations cover the cutting edge quality emerging in characteristic tool grinding operations on end mills with helical flutes made from advanced ceramics. Final machining test prove a reliable cutting behaviour without catastrophic failure and a gentle abrasive and adhesive wear observed on the ground cutting tools.