Optimizing Induction Heating for Manganese Steel for Induction Assisted Machining

Abstract: The main factors for usage of Induction assisted machining of Manganese steel were identified in this project. The testing environment to evaluate performance of the high frequency coils for turning and milling was created. The characteristics of the material that we are working with were measured. Such variables as the cutting speed, feed rate, area to be heated and the time of the heating on the desired area were identified as the most critical variables for the design of the coil. To reach fast heating speed and not to go deep into the material, high frequencies are preferred, high frequencies will allow concentrating the fluxes on the desired depth, which will not go further into the workpiece and will not deteriorate the properties of the material. The strain hardening phenomena can be avoided by use of the induction assisted machining, as it will soften already strain-hardened material. Concept of the high frequency coil was proposed and key factors for the successful preheating of M1 manganese steel were identified. Further basis of reinforced M1 manganese steel induction assisted machining was developed.