The rake angle is an essential property of the cutting tool geometry. It is the angle formed between the tool's face and a line perpendicular to the cutting surface.
The rake angle affects the cutting forces, tool wear, chip flow, and surface finish of the machined part.
- A positive rake angle helps reduce cutting forces, improves chip flow, and provides better surface finish.
- A negative rake angle increases cutting forces but may be used for machining harder materials.
Tool wear refers to the gradual deterioration of the tool during the cutting process, while workpiece shape and cutting fluid are factors that influence the machining process but are not related to the rake angle.