Application of wear resistant coatings on cutting tools in a technological process requires taking into account multiple factors. Optimisation of the hardening process presents one of the main steps that needs to be addressed. This paper describes a method of optimisation of the electro-spark coating (ESC) process. The performance of the process was chosen as the target function. A parametric function was defined based on the previously developed mathematical model of the process whereby the condition of the strong connection of coating material with the foundation was used. Another parametric function is a prerequisite for a suitable coating thickness. Additional limitations are the characteristics of the equipment for the reinforcement

In the process of machining, one of the main factors affecting machining tool wear is friction. A decrease in the coefficient of friction between the machining tool and a machined part is a key challenge for researchers. One of the methods to decrease the coefficient of friction and, consequently, to improve the endurance of the tool is the application of wear-resistant coatings. In the current study, modelling of triboprocesses using dummy variables is proposed. Since a peculiarity of modelling of manufacturing processes is a presence of a large number of quality parameters, the influence of all key parameters on the value of the coefficient of friction has been analysed. Also, an adequate model of the dependence of the conditions of the manufacturing process on the coefficient of friction has been developed. The results of the model are important not only for analysis of friction between contact surfaces itself, but also as supplementary and qualitative estimation of different manufacturing processes.