# Application of 3D Imaging for Analyzing the Chip Groove Shapes of Cutting Inserts
## 3 Results and Discussion  
In accordance with the adopted research methodology, a 3D imaging analysis of the rake surfaces of the tested inserts was performed. The use of selected computer programs for the analysis of the obtained data allowed for the measuring of the geometrical dimensions of selected areas of the cutting edges. In the analysis of the results, various methods of visualization of the measurement data in the 3D system were used. Figure 2 presents examples of visualization of measurement results in a 3D view with the use of selected color palettes in the form of a catchment map and a contour view. A view of the insert corner using a color palette made it possible to determine the areas of elevation and depression that occur on the rake face of the insert. A 3D surface presented in the form of a watershed map enabled the analysis of the volume of the shaped chip groove on the rake face of the insert. Additionally, the contour map view made it possible to interpret the shape of the insert surface and the differences and degree of level build-up for selected areas. Figures 3 and 4 show examples of the positions of the measuring lines for which the shape of the transverse profile of the chip groove was determined. The profiles were determined in places corresponding to the geometrical dimensions for the depth of cut _ap_. Profiles were determined for three depths of cut (i.e., \(a_{p}\) = 0.1, 0.25, 0.50 mm). Two insert positions corresponding to different inserts were analyzed, corresponding to different ways of clamping the insert in the holder. Two positions were assumed for the of major cutting-edge angle: \(K\) = 60\({}^{\circ}\) and \(K\) = 90\({}^{\circ}\). The drawings schematically show the position of the inserts in relation to the workpiece. The shapes of the obtained profiles are shown in Figure 3b,d for the insert with the SGF chip former and in Figure 4b,d for the insert with the SF chip former. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Number** & \(A\) & \(B\) & \(C\) & \(D\) & \(\mathbf{a_{p}}\) & \(\mathbf{f}\) & \(K\) & **Chip** \\  & & & & & **(mm)** & **(mm/rev)** & **(deg)** & **Former** \\ \hline
1 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 1 & 0.25 & 0.1 & 60 & SF \\
2 & 1 & 2 & 2 & 2 & 0.25 & 0.2 & 90 & SGF \\
3 & 2 & 1 & 1 & 2 & 0.50 & 0.1 & 60 & SGF \\
4 & 2 & 2 & 2 & 1 & 0.50 & 0.2 & 90 & SF \\
5 & 3 & 1 & 2 & 1 & 0.75 & 0.1 & 90 & SF \\
6 & 3 & 2 & 1 & 2 & 0.75 & 0.2 & 60 & SGF \\
7 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 2 & 1.00 & 0.1 & 90 & SGF \\
8 & 4 & 2 & 1 & 1 & 1.00 & 0.2 & 60 & SF \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 4: Test plan with real values. Figure 3: Determination and measurement of the shape of the SGF chip-former profiles. (**a**) Determination of the chip-former profiles for the insert with the major cutting-edge angle \(K=60^{\circ}\). (**b**) Determination of the chip-former profiles for inserts with \(K=90^{\circ}\). (**c,d**) Dimensions of the SGF chip-former profiles for \(K=60^{\circ}\) and \(K=90^{\circ}\). Figure 2: Three-dimensional imaging examples: (**a**) general view of the insert corner view with the SGF chip former, (**b**) corner view of the insert with the SF chip former on the catchment map, (**c**) a corner view of the insert in the accepted baw palette, and (**d**) contour view of insert corners with the SF chip former. Observations and measurements based on 3D imaging showed a different structure of the rake face and chip groove of the analyzed inserts. Generally, the cutting-edge area of the SGF chip-former insert had a more convex design compared to the SF chip-former insert. In the case of the SF breaker insert, the chip groove position was parallel to the cutting edge and had a similar profile shape and large depth and volume. The maximum level difference between the bottom of the groove and the tip of the groove was about 400 \(\upmu\)m regardless of the angle at which the insert was clamped in the tool holder. With the SGF chip breaker, the surface shape of the chip groove varied along the cutting edge.