Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of nanomachining

The approach to atomistically treating machining processes discussed in this chapter deliberately sacrifices some of the physical detail found in other work in order to explicitly simulate a system that is considerably more complex but closer to realistic nanotechnological workpieces. This added complexity includes, but not limited to, polycrystalline workpiece microstructures, rough workpiece surface topographies, advanced abrasive geometries, random abrasive orientation and lateral distribution of multiple abrasives, realistic thermal conductivities for metallic workpieces, buildup of removed matter between abrasives, and the formation of polycrystalline chips.