Chip Formation and its Separation
The criterion for the chip separation of nodes in front of the tool cutting tip is based on a geometrical consideration. It is presumed that cutting occurs along the line representing the undeformed chip thickness as illustrated in figure 2.1 below. Factually, separation is assumed to occur only at the nodes lying along this line. When the tool tip approaches a node, that node separates from the workpiece and forms into a chip.