Leikkuuvoima

Leikkuuvoima is a term used in engineering and machining to describe the force required to remove material in a cutting operation. In machining contexts it refers to the cutting force needed to shear material at the tool edge and is commonly analyzed as a main cutting force and a thrust (or feed) force. The main cutting force, Fc, acts in the direction of the cutting motion, while Ft, the thrust force, acts perpendicular to the workpiece surface. The total force depends on material properties (hardness, strength, strain rate), workpiece geometry, tool geometry (edge radius, rake and clearance angles), and cutting conditions (speed, feed, depth of cut, lubrication or cooling).

Measuring and modeling leikkuuvoima are central to process control. Forces are typically measured with dynamometers integrated into machine tools or with external force sensors. Cutting force is related to power consumption by the equation P = Fc · v, where v is the cutting speed. Predictive models range from analytical approaches, such as Merchant-type circle analyses for orthogonal cutting, to semi-empirical and numerical simulations that incorporate chip formation and thermo-mechanical effects. Empirical models often use the concept of specific cutting energy to relate the removed volume to the required force.

Applications of leikkuuvoima knowledge include selecting machining parameters, tool materials and geometries, estimating energy usage and vibrations, assessing tool wear, and predicting surface finish and defect risks. The term is used in Finnish technical literature to denote the force needed to cut material, and is closely related to broader concepts of cutting mechanics and manufacturing efficiency.