Cutting mechanics and efficiency of forward and reverse multidirectional turning

•Proposing a new concept of the forward-and-reverse multidirectional turning.•Studying the cutting mechanics of the forward-and-reverse multidirectional turning.•Analyzing properties of cutting force, cutting temperature, chip breakage and cutting stress.•Exploring the optimal turning performance under different machining schemes.•Illustrating the practicability of the proposed method through case study.