Calculation of optimum cutting parameters based on minimum energy footprint

Environmental sustainability in machining requires that the energy and carbon footprint of machined products be optimised. The original contribution in this paper is that a minimum energy criterion recently proposed by the authors is exploited in the development and implementation of a methodology for selection of optimum cutting conditions. The energy saving impact of the new methodology was quantified by comparing to traditional practice. The synergy between minimum cost and minimum energy solutions was also explored. This timely research illustrates how the energy intensity and energy cost of a machined component can be minimised and hence reducing carbon dioxide emissions. © 2011 CIRP.