The ConTemp project has as main goal to develop self-learning adaptive process controls to stabilise machining conditions in order to help out the European manufacturing industry. In particular, a part of this project is focused on tool temperature as it does have a significant influence on workpiece quality and tool wear and in turn on manufacturing productivity.

The researchers currently working on the 'Self-Learning Control of Tool Temperature in Cutting Processes' (ConTemp) project have been developing self-learning adaptive process controls to stabilise machining conditions. This project is an EU-funded research with more than €2 millions under the NMP ('Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies') Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

The industry uses an increasing number of newly developed and increasingly difficult to machine materials, such as high-temperature alloys and composites, have created new challenges for the cutting technology industry, which despite their high hardness put the tools under high thermal strain. In addition, these problems require the industry to develop new, innovative machining concepts that move forward what is currently used especially coupled with the challenge of reducing production costs and times while retaining product quality. The ConTemp researchers are now moving research forward to focusing on tool temperature as it does have a significant influence on workpiece quality and tool wear and in turn on manufacturing productivity. Controlled and stabilised tool temperatures can lead to longer tool lifetimes and increased part accuracies.

Through ConTemp the application of cooling lubricant is avoided by a closed internal cooling system. Thanks to this dry machining approach the high costs for the provision and disposal of the cooling lubricant are drastically reduced and environmental damage is also minimised - a huge leap towards sustainable manufacturing. This innovation could reduce production costs by about 20%, and with effective cooling it may become possible to keep the tool in a safe temperature range to enable the application of diamond coatings in the machining of ferrous materials.

The pan-European team of researchers hope that by improving these parameters beyond the state of the art, developments on the classic dry machining process will be made. Developing a new generation of high-performance intelligent and environmentally friendly cutting tools means a reduction of machining times and costs through a decrease in manufacturing times.