FRICTION FORCE OF THE NATURAL LEATHER CUTTING PROCESS

Cutting natural leather is a first stage of a technological process of leather goods. It consists of dividing flat materials into shoe components. Cutting can be done by hand or mechanically. Cutters are the main cutting device in mechanical process. During utilization of cutters, the durability of its usage is an important issue. To increase its endurance, optimal force conditions are required. These depend on the following: the friction coefficient between cutting machine and cut material, the angle of sharpening of cutter, the blunting of the edge, using a cutting pad, and the type and kind of steel of which is produced. Friction is a component of a cutting force and its value depends on several factors, one of which is shape of the cutter. It is a parameter often ignored in the literature; however, according to the studies conducted by the authors, the value of the friction during cutting depends on the shape of the cutter. In this study, results of force value measurements required to cut elements of different shapes with equal circumferences with steel cutters are presented.