Red Seal Machinist Practice Exam

If a tool's cutting angle is improper, what can occur?

1. Improved surface finish

2. Excessive tool wear and dimensional inaccuracies

3. Increased tool lifespan

4. Higher cooldown rate during cutting

The correct answer is: Excessive tool wear and dimensional inaccuracies

When a tool's cutting angle is improper, it significantly impacts the tool's performance during machining operations. An incorrect cutting angle can lead to excessive tool wear because the tool is not engaging with the material in an optimal manner. This can result in increased friction and heat generation, which accelerates the degradation of the cutting edge. Additionally, an improper angle can cause dimensional inaccuracies in the workpiece. The tool may not cut through the material effectively, leading to variations in the dimensions of the finished part. This can compromise the integrity of the components being machined, requiring additional rework or resulting in scrap, thus negatively affecting production efficiency and costs. Overall, tool geometry, including cutting angles, is crucial to achieve the desired performance, surface finish, and accuracy of machined parts.