Abstract
Broaching machine is widely used for machining inner shaped slots in the work-pieces, and provides vertical motion (usually hydraulically powered) between tool and work-piece. In this study, we modelled the tool life process and investigated economic tool life of broaching machine. Tool life process is divided into wear-process and succeeding failure process. Wear process is defined as machining wear and failure process as 'chipping' occurred by random shock. We modelled wear process as linear regression function for products amounts and assumed failure process as Poisson process. Economic tool life is defined as the number of lots which minimizes average tool related cost per lot and analyzed by using age replacement policy technique. As tool-related cost factors, we consider tool replacement cost, tool maintenance cost and quality costs of products. The results of this study can be applied to analyze life process of general machining tools.