Rake angle is the angle between a cutting tool and the work surface, used to create correct cuts in materials. Positive angles require less power and force, while negative angles generate extreme cutting force. Some machines have two separate rake angles to consider: axial and radial. Understanding rake angles is important in various industries.
A rake angle is a measurement used to describe the angle and position of a cutting tool relative to the object being cut. Given the wide variety of tool designs, rake angle refers specifically to the angle between the cutting head or tip of the tool and the work surface. This measurement can be applied to both hand tools and machinery, including lathes and milling machines. It is used to create the correct cuts in wood, metal and composite materials, such as plastic or ceramic. Rake angle is typically measured in degrees and can range from zero to 180, although values generally fall more towards the middle of this range, as it can be difficult to cut with the tool at an extreme angle.
To understand how a draft angle works, imagine a piece of wood lying parallel to the ground, with an imaginary line pointing up 90 degrees from the wood. A cutting tool positioned directly above this line would have a 90 degree rake angle. If the cutting edge of the tool is in front of the line, moving towards the line as it cuts, it is said to have a positive slope. If the tool is positioned behind the line, moving away from the line as it cuts, it is said to have negative slope. Positive angles are obtuse, measuring more than 90 degrees, while negative angles are acute, measuring less than 90 degrees.
A positive rake angle is desirable when working with standard objects such as wood and steel. This technique requires less power and force from a cutting machine, while still removing large volumes of material. It also requires less effort when cutting items by hand. Negative cutting angles generate extreme cutting force that can be difficult to control, making this technique more suitable for very hard or dense materials. A tool held at a positive rake angle pushes toward the leading edge of the object being cut, while a tool at a negative rake angle pulls or scrapes excess material toward this leading edge.
Some types of cutting machines, such as a lathe or milling machine, can cut materials along multiple axes simultaneously. These machines therefore have two separate rake angles to consider. Axial rake is measured from the cutting edge of the tool to the axis of the machine spindle. Radial rake is measured from the edge of the tool to the machine housing. These angles can be described as positive-positive, negative-negative, or positive-negative, depending on how the two tools are positioned.
The angle of inclination serves as vital information for workers in a variety of industries. These angles apply to mining and earthmoving operations as well as manufacturing. In metalworking, milling, and woodworking, workers must understand how draft angles work and how to position tools to achieve the required angle.
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