About the research team
Our research team operates at the Institute of Production Technologies at MTF STU. We deal with cutting tool preparation, plasma electrolytic polishing, and testing of cutting tools during machining. We focus on research into new approaches to the preparation of cutting edge microgeometry. The aim is to replace and improve existing techniques for tool treatment, which are prerequisites for achieving high-performance cutting tools.
Research
- Plasma discharges in electrolyte – an environmentally friendly method of cutting tool treatment without the use of harmful chemicals.
- Vibration drag finishing – abrasive treatment carried out on our own prototype device with assisted vibration.
- Cutting tool testing – long-term tool life tests when machining difficult-to-machine materials (especially Inconel 718).
- Measurements during machining – monitoring of cutting forces, wear development, and surface roughness parameters.
Devices use for experiments
- Multi-axis turning center DMG CTX alpha 500
- 5-axis CNC milling centers DMG DMU 85 monoBlock and DMG HSC 105 linear – for testing milling cutters in long-term tool life tests
- Agie Charmilles – Robofil 310 WEDM machine for cutting semi-finished products from cemented carbide
- Reinecker WZS 60 tool grinder for manufacturing solid end mills
- Zoller Genius 3S universal measuring device for measuring the geometry of cutting tools
- Kistler dynamometer for measuring cutting forces during machining
- Mitutoyo roughness tester for measuring surface roughness parameters of machined surfaces
- Alicona Focus X for measuring the microgeometry of cutting edges
- Prototype technological device for plasma discharge polishing in electrolyte
- PLATIT π80 + DLC coating device
- JEOL JSM 7600F scanning electron microscope equipped with detectors: EDX, WDX, and EBSD – for analyzing details of cutting tools and chemical composition in the surface layer of the substrate
Research Goup
Team leader
- Ing. Tomáš Vopát, PhD.
Members:
- doc. Ing. Štefan Podhorský, CSc.
- Ing. František Jurina, PhD.
- Ing. Boris Pätoprstý, PhD.
- Ing. Marek Vozár, PhD.
PhD students:
- Ing. Dominik Zajko
- Ing. Samuel Lenghart
Publications
Publications are available on the team leader’s profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tomas-Vopat
Contact
Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
Faculty of Materials Science and Technology in Trnava
Institute of Production Technologies
J.Bottu 25, 917 24 Trnava, Slovakia
