Ti6Al4V Titanium Alloy End Milling with Minimum Quantity of Fluid Technique Use

To reduce the use of cutting fluids in machining operations is a goal that has been searched in the industry due to environmental and human health problems that the cutting fluids cause. However, cutting fluids still promote the longer life of the cutting tool for many machining operations. This is the case of Ti6Al4V titanium milling operation using coated cemented carbide inserts. Therefore, the aim of this work is to study the feasible cutting conditions for use of minimal quantity of fluid (MQF) technique, i.e., conditions that make the tool life in MQF technique closer or higher than those obtained with the cutting without lubrication/cooling and cutting fluid jet without giving up productivity and the average roughness of the parts in the process. To achieve these objectives, several trials at Ti6Al4V end milling were performed by varying the cutting speed and feed rate with MQF application technique using vegetable cutting fluid compared with no lubrication/cooling and cutting with jet fluid to 8% aqueous emulsion. The main conclusion from this study was that the application of the MQF technique in Ti6Al4V end milling process increases the tool life and productivity and reduces the average surface roughness, while maintaining the same cutting conditions originally proposed in machining. Finally, microstructural analysis by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) was performed from cutting tools, and the main wear mechanisms when varying the lubrication/cooling systems employed were observed.     

Performance Improvement of Grinding of SiC Using Graphite as a Solid Lubricant

Grinding is a widely employed finishing process for different materials. It is inherently characterized by its high specific energy requirement unlike other machining processes. This leads to a high grinding zone temperature, which impairs the workpiece quality by inducing thermal damage in the form of surface and subsurface cracks, phase transformations, tensile residual stresses, etc. The microcracks and residual stresses induced in the surface of the ceramics during grinding can severely limit the application of ceramic components. This article deals with an investigation on using graphite as a solid lubricant to reduce friction and thereby improve the surface integrity of ground silicon carbide (SiC). An experimental setup has been developed, and experiments have been conducted to study the effect of using a graphite lubricant on the surface roughness, grinding forces, and specific energy while grinding SiC material. Results indicate that there is a considerable improvement in the performance of grinding SiC using graphite as a solid lubricant when compared with dry grinding in terms of specific energy requirements, surface roughness, and damage. The employment of graphite as a solid lubricant in ceramic grinding makes the process more economical and reliable.     

Progress of Nanofluid Application in Machining: A Review

A colloidal mixture of nanometer-sized (<100 nm) metallic and non-metallic particles in conventional cutting fluid is called nanofluid. Nanofluids are considered to be potential heat transfer fluids because of their superior thermal and tribological properties. Therefore, nano-enhanced cutting fluids have recently attracted the attention of researchers. This paper presents a summary of some important published research works on the application of nanofluid in different machining processes: milling, drilling, grinding, and turning. Further, this review article not only discusses the influence of different types of nanofluids on machining performance in various machining processes but also unfolds other factors affecting machining performance. These other factors include nanoparticle size, its concentration in base fluid, lubrication mode (minimum quantity lubrication and flood), fluid spraying nozzle orientation, spray distance, and air pressure. From literature review, it has been found that in nanofluid machining, higher nanoparticle concentration yields better surface finish and more lubrication due to direct effect (rolling/sliding/filming) and surface enhancement effect (mending and polishing) of nanoparticles compared to dry machining and conventional cutting fluid machining. Furthermore, nanofluid also reduces the cutting force, power consumption, tool wear, nodal temperature, and friction coefficient. Authors have also identified the research gaps for further research.     

Effect of a nanoparticle-filled lubricant in turning of AISI 316L stainless steel (SS)

Release of heat and generation of friction associated with machining operation ever posture a problem which not only reduce the tool life but also impair the quality of the product. Nano cutting fluids play a significant role in machining operations and impact tool life and quality of work. In the present work, tool flank wear is analyzed during turning AISI 316L Stainless steel (SS) under a nano cutting environment. Experiments are conducted by turning of AISI 316L SS under wet machining with and without multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) inclusions in the conventional lubricant. The second order quadratic models were developed to predict tool wear using response surface methodology (RSM) based D-optimal design. Machining parameters such as speed, feed rate, and depth of cut are chosen as numerical factors and the type of lubricant is considered as the categorical factor. The results show that the influence of the feed rate is more significant while machining the AISI 316L SS with a whisker reinforced ceramic insert. The addition of MWCNTs in SAE20W40 enhances the tool performance with their enhanced penetration. After turning experiment, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) was used to investigate the tool wear.     

Near-Cryogenic Machining of Polymethyl Methacrylate for Micromilling Tool Development

Micromilling tools with a diameter of 22 micrometers were developed to machine polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) for micro systems applications. Due to the small diameter of the tool, and therefore its slow cutting speed, the specific cutting energy of PMMA in the near-brittle state was needed so the micromilling feed could be estimated. To determine the specific cutting energy in the near-brittle state, PMMA was cooled with liquid nitrogen and machined with diamond tools under normal machining conditions. Cutting forces and surface finish were measured from room temperature down to -53°C. It was found that as the temperature of the PMMA was reduced, the specific cutting energy increased linearly to approximately that of oxygen-free high conductivity copper. It was also found that the surface finish became rougher as the temperature decreased. Using these results, micromilling tools were fabricated using focused ion beam machining. The tools were used to micromachine PMMA electroforming molds with high precision, small features, and excellent surface finish. Using the feed indicated from the cryogenic machining and other tests, the micromilling tools did not break after extended periods of machining.     

Experimental investigations on cryogenic cooling by liquid nitrogen in the end milling of hardened steel

Milling of hardened steel generates excessive heat during the chip formation process, which increases the temperature of cutting tool and accelerates tool wear. Application of conventional cutting fluid in milling process may not effectively control the heat generation also it has inherent health and environmental problems. To minimize health hazard and environmental problems caused by using conventional cutting fluid, a cryogenic cooling set up is developed to cool tool–chip interface using liquid nitrogen (LN₂). This paper presents results on the effect of LN₂ as a coolant on machinability of hardened AISI H13 tool steel for varying cutting speed in the range of 75–125 m/min during end milling with PVD TiAlN coated carbide inserts at a constant feed rate. The results show that machining with LN₂ lowers cutting temperature, tool flank wear, surface roughness and cutting forces as compared with dry and wet machining. With LN₂ cooling, it has been found that the cutting temperature was reduced by 57–60% and 37–42%; the tool flank wear was reduced by 29–34% and 10–12%; the surface roughness was decreased by 33–40% and 25–29% compared to dry and wet machining. The cutting forces also decreased moderately compared to dry and wet machining. This can be attributed to the fact that LN₂ machining provides better cooling and lubrication through substantial reduction in the cutting zone temperature.     

Performance of multi-walled carbon nanotube-based nanofluid in turning operation

This paper evaluates the performance of nanofluid using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in distilled water and sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant for turning operation on EN 31 material. Turning was performed without any fluid, with conventional, mineral oil–based cutting fluid, and with nanofluid. The flow rates of both fluids were limited to 1?L/h and these fluids were applied at the tool tip through gravity feed. Cutting forces, wear on tool, and surface finish on workpiece were measured as responses while turning under the three conditions. The responses obtained in three different conditions of turning are then compared. It is found that application of MWCNT-based nanofluid resulted in 49% and 30% lesser tool wear than machining without any fluid and machining with mineral oil–based fluid, respectively. The use of nanofluid also resulted in 5–8% lesser cutting force and 9–22% better surface finish of the workpiece as compared with conventional cutting fluid. Thus, MWCNT-based nanofluid performed better than the conventional, oil-based cutting fluid for turning of EN 31 bars.     

Optimization of Dry Machining Parameters for High-Purity Graphite in End-Milling Process

The machining factors affecting the tool wear and surface finish produced in the end milling process are generally the cutting speed, the feed rate, the depth of cut, etc. This paper describes a study that identifies the influence of the machining parameters on the groove width and the surface roughness average for the end-milling of high-purity graphite under dry machining conditions. The experiments are based on an orthogonal arrays and grey relational analysis method is then applied to determine an optimal machining parameter setting. The dimensional accuracy of the groove width and the surface roughness average are selected as the quality targets. In this study, the feed rate is the most significant controlled factors for the machining process according to the weighted sum grade of the Δ and the R_a.     

Investigations on hard machining of Impax Hi Hard tool steel

In this paper, experimental investigations are carried out by end milling process on hardened tool steel, Impax Hi Hard (Hardness 55 HRC) a newly developed tool steel material used by tool and die making industries. Experiments are performed with an aim to study performance investigations of machining parameters such as cutting speed, feed, depth of cut and width of cut with consideration of multiple responses viz. volume of material removed, tool wear, tool life and surface finish to evaluate the performance of PVD coated carbide inserts and ball end mill cutters. It has been observed through scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction technique (EDX) that chipping and adhesion are active tool wear mechanisms and saw-toothed chips are formed while machining of Impax Hi Hard steel. It is also noticed out that tool life is not enhanced while machining with minimum quantity lubricant than dry machining. From the investigations, it is observed that hard machining can be considered as an alternative to grinding and EDM, traditional methods of machining difficult-to-machine materials i.e. hardened steel with hardness greater than 50 HRC with a scope of improved productivity, increased flexibility, decreased capital expenses and reduced environmental waste.     

Optimization of Dry Machining Parameters for High-Purity Graphite in End-Milling Process

The machining factors affecting the tool wear and surface finish produced in the end milling process are generally the cutting speed, the feed rate, the depth of cut, etc. This paper describes a study that identifies the influence of the machining parameters on the groove width and the surface roughness average for the end-milling of high-purity graphite under dry machining conditions. The experiments are based on an orthogonal arrays and grey relational analysis method is then applied to determine an optimal machining parameter setting. The dimensional accuracy of the groove width and the surface roughness average are selected as the quality targets. In this study, the feed rate is the most significant controlled factors for the machining process according to the weighted sum grade of the Δ and the R _a .     

Soft PVD Coatings — a new coating family for high performance cutting tools

The joint effort of a cutting tool manufacturer and a coating specialist led to the development of a soft solid lubricant based cutting tool coating (Patents pending!). It is applied by an advanced sputtering technique as a very thin uniform coating with a good adherence to the tools. It has a low coefficient of friction and a low affinity to alloy materials like aluminum, titanium and precious metals. These factors and others allow the machining at high spindle speed and feed rates with an excellent workpiece surface finish. Values can be maintained which are far superior to even those permitted for cemented carbide tools. In some cases, productivity and tool life can be increased by a factor of up to 20.     

Optimization of cutting fluid performance

This paper describes a new drilling test (Upton 1997) for the evaluation of cutting fluid. The technique is based upon a procedure which relies on gathering performance data from tests using the same drill with different fluids, or lubricant concentrations, rather than determining the lifetime or wear rate of individual tools. The results presented here, are used to illustrate the findings for changes in fluid concentration. This non lifetime method is useful because fluids can be quickly compared, and assessed by reference to cutting force analysis and component surface finish measurement. (Upton 1996) Alternative life tests tend to be more expensive because they require a greater volume of fluid, larger quantities of workpiece material and are time consuming. Despite the trends towards 'dry cutting' and low friction tool coatings, there is still a need for cutting fluids because of their ability to improve product quality, remove heat and swarf from the tool/workpiece interface and increase tool life. Improvements in cutting fluid performance are desirable because of ongoing costs associated with fluid use, maintenance and subsequent disposal. Increased environmental awareness and health and safety considerations also dictate that new formulations are introduced.     

Design,evaluation and optimisation of cutter path strategies when high speed machining hardened mould and die materials

The use of high speed milling (HSM) for the production of moulds and dies is becoming more widespread. Critical aspects of the technology include cutting tools, machinability data, cutter path generation and technology. Much published information exists on cutting tools and related data (cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cut, etc.). However, relatively little information has been published on the optimisation of cutter paths for this application. Most of the research work is mainly focused on cutter path generation with the main aim on reducing production time. Work with regards to cutter path evaluation and optimisation on tool wear, tool life, surface integrity and relevant workpiece machinability characteristics are scant. Therefore, a detailed knowledge on the evaluation of cutter path when high speed rough and finish milling is essential in order to improve productivity and surface quality. The paper details techniques used to reduce machining times and improve workpiece surface roughness/accuracy when HSM hardened mould and die materials. Optimisation routines are considered for the roughing and finishing of cavities. The effects of machining parameters notably feed rate adaptation techniques and cutting tools are presented.     

Formulation and performance evaluation of a novel coconut oil–based metalworking fluid

Metalworking fluid (MWF) supplies a film of lubricant to abate friction, acts as a cooling media to rebate induced heat, and prevents metal pick-ups by flushing away the chips. Hence a liquid used as a cutting fluid reduces wear on the tool, reduces the energy consumption, and produces a better surface quality on the work piece. This paper describes the formulation of a novel water-soluble MWF and its performance evaluation during straight turning and end milling experiments carried out with AISI 304 stainless steel, mild steel, and cast iron as work piece materials. The MWF was prepared by mixing water with white coconut oil as the base oil and food-grade additives as surfactants. Viscosity, pH value, and biodegradability were measured and compared with a commercially available non-vegetable oil–based MWF. The surface roughness and tool surface temperature were measured throughout the machining experiments, and better performances were observed with the coconut oil–based MWF. Tool tip geometry and flank wear for straight turning machining operation were identified by observing scanning electron microscope (SEM) images.     

An inverse heat transfer problem for optimization of the thermal process in machining

It is evident that machining process causes development of large quantities of thermal energy within a relatively narrow area of the cutting zone. The generated thermal energy and the problems of its evacuation from the cutting zone account for high temperatures in machining. These increased temperatures exert a pronounced negative effect on the tool and workpiece. This paper takes a different approach towards identification of the thermal process in machining, using inverse heat transfer problem. Inverse heat transfer method allows the closest possible experimental and analytical approximation of thermal state for a machining process. Based on a temperature measured at any point within a workpiece, inverse method allows determination of a complete temperature field in the cutting zone as well as the heat flux distribution on the tool/workpiece interface. By knowing the heat flux function, one defines criterium and method of optimization, the inverse heat transfer problem transforms into extreme case. Now, the task of optimization is to determine most favourable ratio between heat flux parameters in order to preserve exploitation properties of the tool and workpiece.     

Material selection for the tool holder working under hard milling conditions using different multi criteria decision making methods

Nowadays machining of materials in their hardened state, also called hard machining, is a challenge in production of tools and molds. It has some advantages such as lower process time and lower manufacturing cost when compared to conventional machining. In machining of hard workpiece materials, however, very high stresses act on the tool holder through the cutting tool. These stresses necessitate the tool holder to have some specific properties. Especially in hard milling, the tool holder should have high stiffness and should be able to dissipate the energy generated during interrupted cutting. Material cost of the tool holder is also important since lower costs provide a competitive advantage for manufacturers. The material selection for the tool holder should be conducted considering aforementioned requirements. To tackle the difficulty of the material selection with specific properties from a large number of alternatives, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods have been used. In this paper a decision model including extended PROMETHEE II (EXPROM2) (preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation), TOPSIS (technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution) and VIKOR (VIšekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje) methods were used for the selection of the best material for the tool holder used in hard milling. The criteria weighting was performed by compromised weighting method composed of AHP (analytic hierarchy process) and Entropy methods. The candidate materials were ranked by using these methods and the results obtained by each method were compared. It was confirmed that MCDM methods can be used for the solution of real time material selection problems. Tungsten carbide–cobalt and Fe–5Cr–Mo–V aircraft steel were found as the best materials for the tool holder production. The obtained results are found to be rather satisfactory and can be used in design stage of hard machining operations.     

A Study of High-Speed Milling Characteristics of Nitinol

High-speed milling (HSM) has many advantages over conventional machining. Among these advantages, the lower cutting force associated with the machining process is of particular significance for Nitinol alloys because their machined surfaces show less strain hardening. In this article, a systematic study has been carried out to investigate the machining characteristics of a Ni_50.6Ti_49.4 alloy in HSM. The effects of cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut on machined surface characteristics and tool wear are studied. It is found that an increase in cutting speed has resulted in a better surface finish and less work hardening. This is attributed to the reduction of chip cross-sectional area or chip thickness, which thus leads to a lower cutting force or load.     

Experimental investigations of ceramic machining using µ-grinding and µ-rotary ultrasonic machining processes: A comparative study

Comparative experimental investigations of µ-grinding and µ-rotary ultrasonic machining (µ-RUM) were made on borosilicate and Zerodur materials to know the efficacy of the processes for micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) application. The electroplated diamond tool of Ø 300 µm for drilling operation and Ø 300 µm to Ø 6 mm for milling operation has been tried in the computer numerical control (CNC) machine with an HSK63 ultrasonic actuator. A suitable interface has been developed to hold the micro tool with the ER11 taper in the existing ER20 collet ultrasonic tool holder. Cutting force, edge-chipping area, and taper in drilling operation; and surface finish, material removal mode, specific energy and un-deformed chip thickness in milling operation were evaluated for both processes under the same material removal rate conditions. The experimental results showed that µ-RUM could perform in a less spindle speed machine as compared to µ-grinding. It was inferred that the maximum and minimum amount of reduction in cutting force, edge chipping, and taper were found to be (49.3%, 10.8%), (87%, 40%), and (95.56%, 4.76%), respectively, in µ-RUM compared to µ-grinding for drilling operation. It was also concluded that surface finish and ductile mode of fracture were higher in µ-RUM compared to µ-grinding for the milling operations. These effects were more pronounced as tool size decreased.     

Study of milling force variation in ultrasonic vibration-assisted end milling

Ultrasonic vibration cutting has been proved to be an effective cutting technology for its excellent cutting performance and has been widely applied in turning and drilling process. However, this kind of technology is rarely tried in milling process. In cutting process, cutting force is an important process parameter, which affects surface finish and tool wear. This paper investigates the milling force variation in ultrasonic vibration-assisted end milling process through a series of slot-milling experiments. The main research contents include two parts, one is the effect of the externally excited vibration on milling force in milling process, and the other is the influence of milling and vibrating parameters matching on milling force value. Experimental results show that ultrasonic vibration can change traditional milling conditions, realize separate-type milling, obtain similar pulse-like profiles of cutting forces, reduce average cutting force value; and the peak value of the feed direction cutting force can also be greatly decreased by adopting reasonable vibration amplitude, an optimal combination of machining parameters is of great benefit to achieving small cutting force. According to the experimental findings, ultrasonic vibration-assisted milling is a prospective technology to achieve precision milling of small part.     

Multi-attribute optimization of end milling epoxy granite composites using TOPSIS

Epoxy granite composites are identified and recognized as better materials for machine tool applications due to inherent damping properties. However, end milling of these composites has not been explored much. Milling of epoxy granite composites presents a number of problems, namely, cutting forces and surface roughness appear during machining. This research work focuses on end milling of epoxy granite composite specimens using high-speed steel end mill cutter by varying the cutting conditions such as spindle speed and feed with a uniform depth of cut and selection of optimal machining parameters. The experimental runs of 27 different trials were carried out and three different attributes such as thrust force, tangential force, and surface roughness were analyzed. This research work presents a sequential procedure for machining parameters selection. Selection of optimal machining parameters is done on the basis of Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method.