MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS OF ULTRAPRECISION MACHINING OF FCC MONOCRYSTALS

Abstract

In technical sciences, the term “machining” refers to the process of forming an object into a desired shape and size, with a desired quality of surface, by removing layers of its material by means of a cutting tool. The paper describes research on ultra-precision machining (UPM), where the abovementioned process takes place on the atomic level and involves systems (a machined object and a tool) several dozen nanometers in size. Three-dimensional computer simulations (virtual experiments) of UPM of monocrystalline copper with an infinitely hard tool were performed utilizing the classical molecular dynamics (MD) method with a many-body potential to describe the interatomic interactions. Among the examined issues were the effect of the tool shape, machining speed and depth on the obtained workmaterial surfaces, and on the stresses, slip patterns and local temperature increases generated during the process.