The Influence of CNC Turning with VBMT, RCMX, 3ER, and MGMN Type Indexable Inserts on West African Ebony/Diospyros crassiflora, San Domingo Boxwood/Phyllostylon brasiliense, Rio Rosewood/Dalbergia nigra, Beechwood/Fagus sylvatica, Oakwood/Quercus robur, and Pinewood/Pinus silvestris Surface Roughness

The current scientific literature lacks an adequate description of hardware used to machine timber. Traditional woodworking and metals fabrication consists of tungsten carbide (TC) inserts. In this work, the authors investigate the influence of cutting tool geometry on the resulting surface roughness of timber samples. A variety of wood types were used in these studies to provide broad information on the correlation between the cutting tools used and resulting surface morphology. The cutting tools were prepared on a computer numerical control (CNC) lathe and roughness average (R(a)) and average maximum peak to valley height of the profile (R(z)) parameters were measured by contact stylus. The tip radius of the TC inserts used was determined to be the most significant factor that impacted R(a) and R(z). In summary, we found that the tip radius of the TC insert was inversely proportional to the roughness level, indicating that a flatter TC insert cutting end results in a smoother wood surface.