Method of performing a cutting operation on a workpiece

A method for performing a cutting operation on a workpiece, the method comprising:

• providing said workpiece, the workpiece being made of a metal characterized by a thermal conductivity of no greater than about 100 W/(m·K) (approximately 57.8 Btu/(hr·ft·° F.));
• providing a cutting device including a cutting insert, said cutting insert comprising an internal cooling cavity defined on one side thereof by a thin-walled structure, a rake surface, a relief surface, and a cutting edge defined therebetween, at least one of the relief and rake surfaces being disposed on said thin-walled structure;
• and
• performing, using said cutting device, a cutting operation on said workpiece, wherein the cutting speed is no less than about 500 m/min (approximately 1640 ft./min.).

A combination, comprising:

• one or more cutting devices, each comprising a cutting insert having an internal cooling cavity defined on one side thereof by a thin-walled structure, a rake surface, a relief surface, and a cutting edge defined therebetween, at least one of the relief and rake surfaces being disposed on said thin-walled structure;
• and
• at least one article providing instructions for use of said cutting devices in accordance with a method for performing a cutting operation on a workpiece, the method comprising:
• providing said workpiece, the workpiece being a metal characterized by a thermal conductivity of no greater than about 100 W/(m·K) (approximately 57.8 Btu/(hr·ft·° F.));
• and
• performing, using one of said cutting devices, a cutting operation on said workpiece, wherein the cutting speed is no less than about 500 m/min (approximately 1640 ft./min.).

A method for performing a cutting operation on a workpiece, the method comprising:

• providing said workpiece;
• providing a cutting device comprising a cutting insert, said cutting insert comprising an internal cooling cavity defined on one side thereof by a thin-walled structure;
• and
• performing, using said cutting device, a cutting operation on said workpiece at a characteristic operational speed being no less than a maximum characteristic reference speed;
• wherein said maximum characteristic reference speed is the highest characteristic speed below which performing a reference cutting operation on the workpiece with the cutting device is associated with structural failure of said thin-walled structure.