Introduction to Environmentally Benign Machining and Its Impacts

Environmentally benign machining is a concept that aims to reduce the negative environmental impact of the machining processes while maintaining the desired product quality. The approach involves the application of eco-friendly cutting fluids, tool materials, and lubricants that are less harmful to the environment. It also involves the parametric optimization of machining, such as to secure the optimum combination of depth of cut, cutting speed, feed rate, to reduce material waste, energy consumption, and emissions. Implementing environmentally benign machining techniques can significantly reduce environmental pollution, resource consumption, and costs while promoting sustainable manufacturing practices. This helps to attain the overall sustainability and strengthen its three pillars society, economy, and environment. This approach is gaining popularity in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and medical devices, where precision and efficiency are critical factors. However, adopting environmentally benign machining requires a holistic approach that involves collaboration between manufacturers, researchers, policymakers, and consumers to ensure its success. This chapter discussed the detailed views on the eco-friendly machining process and the ways to attain a sustainable environment.