Surface topographical evaluation of coated cutting tools with different coating technologies

Abstract This study gives the detail research on the methodology for the characterization of surface topography with an evaluation process employing both the stylus profilometer (SP) as contact measurement system and 3D digital microscope (DM) and a scanning type confocal laser microscope (SCLM) as non-contact measurement systems. The aim of this application was to understand the differences between the cutting tools with and without coatings before machining operations. This study considered the initial conditions when measuring roughness of the cutting tools’ surfaces. The results from the surface roughness measurement ascertained that the coating technology improved surface finish quality and tool life. The error between the measured values from SP and SCLM was calculated, respectively in terms of the sampling position and tool type. In terms of Ra parameter, for coated cutting tool sample 1 (1CCTS), the root mean square error (RMSE) is 0.023 μm and 0.030 μm for SP and SCLM, respectively. In terms of Ra parameter, for uncoated cutting tool sample 1 (1UCTS), the root mean square error (RMSE) is 0.053 μm and 0.070 μm for SP and SCLM, respectively.