Module

2
Mechanics of
Machining

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 Lesson
4
Conversion of tool
angles from one system
to another

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Instructional objectives

At the end of this lesson the students should be able to

(i) State the purposes of conversion of tool angles

(ii) Identify the four different methods of conversion of tool angles
(iii) Employ the graphical method for conversion of
• Rake angles
• clearance angles
• Cutting angles
From ASA to ORS and ORS to ASA systems
(iv) Convert rake angle and clearance angle from ORS to NRS
(v) Demonstrate tool angle’s relationship in some critical conditions.

(i) Purposes of conversion of tool angles from one system

to another
• To understand the actual tool geometry in any system of choice or
convenience from the geometry of a tool expressed in any other
systems
• To derive the benefits of the various systems of tool designation as
and when required
• Communication of the same tool geometry between people following
different tool designation systems.

(ii) Methods of conversion of tool angles from one system

to another
• Analytical (geometrical) method: simple but tedious
• Graphical method – Master line principle: simple, quick and popular
• Transformation matrix method: suitable for complex tool geometry
• Vector method: very easy and quick but needs concept of vectors

(iii) Conversion of tool angles by Graphical method –

Master Line principle.
This convenient and popular method of conversion of tool angles from ASA to
ORS and vice-versa is based on use of Master lines (ML) for the rake surface
and the clearance surfaces.

• Conversion of rake angles

The concept and construction of ML for the tool rake surface is shown in Fig. 4.1.

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 Zm

Xm
γx
T πX
O' Zo
Zo Xo D'
Yo πC Master line for
rake surface
γo
O' Ym O' πo
πR Xo
Yo T
C' Ym
O O'
Xm Zm
λ φ D
πY γy
πR
C πR
T A'
B B'

T
A

Fig. 4.1 Master line for rake surface (with all rake angles: positive)

In Fig. 4.1, the rake surface, when extended along πX plane, meets the tool’s
bottom surface (which is parallel to πR) at point D’ i.e. D in the plan view.
Similarly when the same tool rake surface is extended along πY, it meets the
tool’s bottom surface at point B’ i.e., at B in plan view. Therefore, the straight
line obtained by joining B and D is nothing but the line of intersection of the
rake surface with the tool’s bottom surface which is also parallel to πR. Hence,
if the rake surface is extended in any direction, its meeting point with the tool’s
bottom plane must be situated on the line of intersection, i.e., BD. Thus the
points C and A (in Fig. 4.1) obtained by extending the rake surface along πo
and πC respectively upto the tool’s bottom surface, will be situated on that line
of intersection, BD.
This line of intersection, BD between the rake surface and a plane parallel to
πR is called the “Master line of the rake surface”.

From the diagram in Fig. 4.1,

OD = TcotγX
OB = TcotγY
OC = Tcotγo
OA = Tcotλ

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Where, T = thickness of the tool shank.
The diagram in Fig. 4.1 is redrawn in simpler form in Fig. 4.2 for conversion of
tool angles.

Ym
Yo
Xo
Masterline of
Rake surface

Xm
G O F D

φ φγ
E

]
C
M OD = cotγx
OB = cotγy for
B OC = cotγo T=unity
OA = cotλ

Fig. 4.2 Use of Master line for conversion of rake angles.

• Conversion of tool rake angles from ASA to ORS

γo and λ (in ORS) = f (γx and γy of ASA system)

tanγ o = tanγ x sinφ + tanγ y cosφ (4.1)
and tanλ = − tanγ x cosφ + tanγ y sinφ (4.2)

Proof of Equation 4.1:

With respect to Fig. 4.2,

Consider, ΔOBD = Δ OBC + Δ OCD
Or, ½ OB.OD = ½ OB.CE + ½ OD.CF
Or, ½ OB.OD = ½ OB.OCsinφ + ½ OD.OCcosφ
Dividing both sides by ½ OB.OD.OC,
1 1 1
= sinφ + cosφ
OC OD OB
i.e. tanγ o = tanγ x sinφ + tanγ y cosφ ⎯ Proved.

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Similarly Equation 4.2 can be proved considering;
Δ OAD = Δ OAB + Δ OBD
i.e., ½ OD.AG = ½ OB.OG + ½ OB.OD
where, AG = OAsinφ
and OG = OAcosφ
Now dividing both sides by ½ OA.OB.OD,
1 1 1
sinφ = cosφ +
OB OD OA
tanλ = − tanγ x cosφ + tanγ y sinφ ⎯ Proved.
The conversion equations 4.1 and 4.2 can be combined in a matrix form,
⎡ tan γ o ⎤ ⎡ sin φ cos φ ⎤ ⎡ tan γ x ⎤
⎢ tan λ ⎥ = ⎢− cos φ sin φ ⎥ ⎢ tan γ ⎥ (4.3)
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦⎣ y⎦

(ORS) (ASA)
⎡ sin φ cos φ ⎤
where, ⎢ is the transformation matrix.
⎣− cos φ sin φ ⎥⎦

• Conversion of rake angles from ORS to ASA system

γx and γy (in ASA) = f(γo and λof ORS)

tanγ x = tanγ o sinφ − tanλcosφ (4.4)
and tanγ y = tanγ o cosφ + tan λsinφ (4.5)
The relations (4.4) and (4.5) can be arrived at indirectly using Equation 4.3.

By inversion, Equation 4.3 becomes,

⎡ tan γ x ⎤ ⎡ sin φ − cos φ ⎤ ⎡ tan γ o ⎤
⎢ tan γ ⎥ = ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥ (4.6)
⎣ y⎦ ⎣cos φ sin φ ⎦ ⎣ tan λ ⎦
from which equation 4.4 and 4.5 are obtained.

The conversion equations 4.4 and 4.5 can also be proved directly from the
diagram in Fig. 4.2

Hints
To prove equation 4.4, proceed by taking (from Fig. 4.2)
Δ OAD = Δ OAC + Δ OCD,
[involving the concerned angles γo, λ and γx i.e., OC, OA and OD]
And to prove Equation 4.5, proceed by taking
Δ OAC = Δ OAB + Δ OBC
[involving the concerned angles γo, λ and γy i.e., OC, OA and OB]

• Maximum rake angle (γmax or γm)

The magnitude of maximum rake angle (γm) and the direction of the maximum
slope of the rake surface of any single point tool can be easily derived from its
geometry specified in both ASA or ORS by using the diagram of Fig. 4.2. The
smallest intercept OM normal to the Master line (Fig. 4.2) represents γmax or
γm as

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 OM = cot γm
Single point cutting tools like HSS tools after their wearing out are often
resharpened by grinding their rake surface and the two flank surfaces.
The rake face can be easily and correctly ground by using the values of γm
and the orientation angle, φγ (visualized in Fig. 4.2) of the Master line.
• Determination of γm and φγ from tool geometry specified in ASA system.

In Fig. 4.2,
Δ OBD = ½ OB.OD = ½ BD.OM
or, ½ OB.OD = ½ OB 2 + OD 2 . OM
Dividing both sides by ½ OB.OD.OM
1 1 1
= 2
+
OM OD OB 2
or tanγ m = tan 2 γ x + tan 2 γ y (4.7)
Again from Δ OBD
OB
tanφ γ =
OD
⎛ tan γ x ⎞
or φγ = tan − ⎜⎜ ⎟
⎟
(4.8)
⎝ tan γ y ⎠

• γm and φγ from tool geometry specified in ORS

Similarly from the diagram in Fig. 4.2, and taking Δ OAC, one can prove
tanγ m = tan 2 γ o + tan 2 λ (4.9)

⎛ tan λ ⎞
φγ = φ − tan − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ (4.10)
⎝ tan γ o ⎠

• Conversion of clearance angles from ASA system to ORS and vice

versa by Graphical method.
Like rake angles, the conversion of clearance angles also make use of
corresponding Master lines. The Master lines of the two flank surfaces are
nothing but the dotted lines that appear in the plan view of the tool (Fig. 4.3).
The dotted line are the lines of intersection of the flank surfaces concerned
with the tool’s bottom surface which is parallel to the Reference plane πR.
Thus according to the definition those two lines represent the Master lines of
the flank surfaces.
Fig. 4.4 shows the geometrical features of the Master line of the principal flank
of a single point cutting tool.
From Fig. 4.4,
OD = Ttanαx
OB = Ttanαy
OC = Ttanαo

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 OA = Tcotλ where, T = thickness of the tool shank.

ML of auxiliary flank
ML of principal flank

Fig. 4.3 Master lines (ML) of flank surfaces.

Zm γx

αx T
πx
Zo
D' Xo
Zo Yo
T
γo
αo
λ Ym Yo πo
C'
Xo Yo
αy
O
ML for
Xm Zo
D principal
C
B
flank
B' γy

A' πy
πR

A T

Fig. 4.4 Master line of principal flank.

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The diagram in Fig. 4.4 is redrawn in simpler form in Fig. 4.5 for conversion of
clearance angles.
The inclination angle, λ basically represents slope of the rake surface along
the principal cutting edge and hence is considered as a rake angle. But λ
appears in the analysis of clearance angles also because the principal cutting
edge belong to both the rake surface and the principal flank.

Ym
Yo
Xo
Master line for principal flank

D
Xm O
φ
C φα
M
B

]
OD = tanαx
OB = tanαy
OC = tanαo for
OA = cotλ T=unity
A

Fig. 4.5 Use of Master line for conversion of clearance angles.

• Conversion of clearance angles from ASA to ORS

Angles, αo and λ in ORS = f(αx and αy in ASA system)

Following the same way used for converting the rake angles taking suitable
triangles (in Fig. 4.2), the following expressions can be arrived at using
Fig. 4.5:

cotα = cotα sinφ + cotα cosφ (4.11)

o x y
and tanλ = −cotα cosφ + cotα sinφ (4.12)
x y
Combining Equation 4.11 and 4.12 in matrix form

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 ⎡cot α o ⎤ ⎡ sin φ cos φ ⎤ ⎡cot α x ⎤
⎢ tan λ ⎥ = ⎢− cos φ ⎢ ⎥
sin φ ⎥⎦ ⎣cot α y ⎦
(4.13)
⎣ ⎦ ⎣

• Conversion of clearance angles from ORS to ASA system

αx and αy (in ASA) = f(αo and λ in ORS)

Proceeding in the same way using Fig. 4.5, the following expressions are
derived
cotα = cotα sinφ − tan λcosφ (4.14)
x o
and cotα = cotα cosφ + tan λsinφ (4.15)
y o
The relations (4.14) and (4.15) are also possible to be attained from
inversions of Equation 4.13 as indicated in case of rake angles.

• Minimum clearance, αmin or αm

The magnitude and direction of minimum clearance of a single point tool may
be evaluated from the line segment OM taken normal to the Master line (Fig.
4.5) as OM = tanαm
The values of αm and the orientation angle, φα (Fig. 4.5) of the principal flank
are useful for conveniently grinding the principal flank surface to sharpen the
principal cutting edge.
Proceeding in the same way and using Fig. 4.5, the following expressions
could be developed to evaluate the values of αm and φα
o From tool geometry specified in ASA system
cot α m = cot 2 α x + cot 2 α y (4.16)
⎛ cot α x ⎞
and φγ = tan −1 ⎜⎜ ⎟
⎟ (4.17)
⎝ cot α y ⎠

o From tool geometry specified in ORS

cotα x = cot 2 α 0 + tan 2 λ (4.18)
⎛ tan λ ⎞
and φα = φ − tan −1 ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ (4.19)
⎝ cot α o ⎠
Similarly the clearance angles and the grinding angles of the auxiliary flank
surface can also be derived and evaluated.

o Interrelationship amongst the cutting angles used in ASA and ORS

The relations are very simple as follows:

φ (in ORS) = 90o - φs (in ASA) (4.20)
and φ1(in ORS) = φe (in ASA) (4.21)

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 (iv) Conversion of tool angles from ORS to NRS
The geometry of any single point tool is designated in ORS and NRS
respectively as,

λ, γo, αo, αo’, φ1, φ, r (mm) – ORS

λ, γn, αn, αn’, φ1, φ, r (mm) – NRS
The two methods are almost same, the only difference lies in the fact that
γo, αo and αo’ of ORS are replaced by γn, αn and αn’ in NRS.
The corresponding rake and clearance angles of ORS and NRS are related
as ,
tanγn = tanγocosλ (4.22)
cotαn = cotαocosλ (4.23)
and cotαn'= cotαo'cosλ' (4.24)
The equation 4.22 can be easily proved with the help of Fig. 4.6.

Zo
πn Zn Yn
λ
λ Yo γo
Xo, Xn
A
B
γn λ A
γn C
A
γo λ
πc
C
B

Fig. 4.6 Relation between normal rake (γn) and orthogonal rake (γo)

The planes πo and πn are normal to Yo and Yn (principal cutting edge)

respectively and their included angle is λ when πo and πn are extended below
OA (i.e. πR) they intersect the rake surface along OB and OC respectively.
Therefore,
∠AOB = γo
∠AOC = γn
where, ∠BAC = λ

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Now AC = ABcosλ
Or, OAtanγn= (OAtanγo)cosλ
So, tanγn= tanγocosλ proved

The equation (4.23) relating αn and αo can be easily established with the help
of Fig. 4.7.

Yo
αo
A
A'
B
πC πo
γo Zo
πo A
A' αn Yn
πn C
πR
Zn
A γn

B
λ Zo
C
πC
Zn

Fig. 4.7 Relation between normal clearance, αn and orthogonal clearance, αo

From Fig. 4.7,

AC = ABcosλ
Or AA’cotαn= AA’cotαocosλ
∴ cotαn= cotαocosλ proved
Similarly it can be proved,
cotαn’= cotαo’cosλ’
where λ’ is the inclination angle of the auxiliary cutting edge.

(v) Tool geometry under some critical conditions

• Configuration of Master lines (in graphical method of tool angle
conversion) for different tool geometrical conditions.

The locations of the points ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘M’ along the ML will be as
shown in Fig. 4.2 when all the corresponding tool angles have some

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 positive values. When any rake angle will be negative, the location of the
corresponding point will be on the other side of the tool.

Some typical configurations of the Master line for rake surface and the
corresponding geometrical significance are indicated in Fig. 4.8.

Configuration of ML Tool geometry

O ML for ML parallel to πC

γx = positive
D γy = positive
(a) γo = positive
C λ=0
γm = γo

A at infinity

ML
O for ML parallel to πY

γx = positive
D γy = 0
γo = positive
C (b)
λ = negative
γm = γx

B at infinity

C B A ML
for ML parallel to πX
O γx = 0
γy = negative
(c) γo = negative
λ = negative
⏐γm⏐ = ⏐γy⏐

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Fig. 4.8 Tool geometry and Master line (rake face) in some typical conditions.

• Tool angles’ relations in some critical conditions

From the equations correlating the cutting tool angles, the following critical
observations are made:
• When φ = 90o; γx = γo for πX = πo
• When λ = 0 ; γn = γo
αn = αo
o
• When λ=0 and φ = 90 ; γn=γo=γx pure orthogonal cutting
(πN=πo=πX)

Exercise – 4
A. Quiz test

Select the correct answer from the given four options

1. The master line for the rake surface of the turning tool of geometry : -
10o, 0o, 8o, 6o, 15o, 30o, 0.1 (inch)
(a) machine longitudinal plane
(b) machine transverse plane
(c) cutting plane
(d) orthogonal plane

2. If the approach angle of a turning tool be 30o, the value of its principal
cutting edge angle will be
(a) O deg.
(b) 30o deg.
(c) 60o deg.
(d) 90o deg.

3. The value of side rake of the turning tool of geometry : -

0o, 10o, 8o, 6o, 20o, 60o, 0 (mm) will be
(a) 0o deg.
(b) 10o deg.
(c) 8o deg.
(d) 6o deg.

4. The values of orthogonal clearance and normal clearance of a

turning tool will be same if,
(a) φ=0
(b) αX = αY

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 (c) λ = 0
(d) none of the above

5. The angle between orthogonal plane and normal plane of a turning

tool is
(a) γo
(b) φ
(c) γn
(d) λ

B. Problem
1. Determine the values of normal rake of the turning tool whose
geometry is designated as : 10o, - 10o, 8o, 6o, 15o, 30o, 0 (inch)?

2. Determine the value of side clearance of the turning tool whose

geometry is specified as 0o, - 10o, 8o, 6o, 20o, 60o, 0 (mm) ?

Solutions of Exercise – 4
A. Quiz test
1 – (a)
2 – (c)
3 – (b)
4 – (c)
5 – (d)

B. Problems

Ans. 1

Tool geometry given :

10o, - 10o, 8o, 6o, 15o, 30o, 0 (inch)
γy, γx, αy, αx, φe, φs, r – ASA

tanγn = tanγocosλ
where,
tanγo = tanγxsinφ + tanγycosφ
= tan(-10o)sin(90o- 30o) + tan(10o)cos(90o- 30o)
= - 0.065
So, γo = - 3.7o
And tanλ = - tanγxcosφ + tanγysinφ
= - tan(-10o)cos(90o- 30o) + tan(10o)sin(90o- 30o)
= 0.2408
So, λ = 13.54o

tanγn = tanγocosλ = tan (-3.7)cos(13.54) = - 0.063

So, γn = - 3.6o Ans.

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Ans. 2

Tool geometry given : 0o, - 10o, 8o, 6o, 20o, 60o, 0 (mm)
λ, γo, αo, αo', φ1, φ , r (mm)

cotαx = cotαosinφ- tanλcosφ

= cot 8.sin60 – tan0.cos60
= cot8.sin60
= 6.16
So, αx = 9.217o Ans.

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