Modelling the cutting edge radius size effect for force prediction in micro milling

This paper presents a theoretical model for cutting force prediction in micro milling, taking into account the cutting edge radius size effect, the tool run out and the deviation of the chip flow angle from the inclination angle. A parameterization according to the uncut chip thickness to cutting edge radius ratio is used for the parameters involved in the force calculation. The model was verified by means of cutting force measurements in micro milling. The results show good agreement between predicted and measured forces. It is also demonstrated that the use of the Stabler's rule is a reasonable approximation and that micro end mill run out is effectively compensated by the deflections induced by the cutting forces.     

Mechanistic modeling and accurate measurement of micro end milling forces

Micro milling operations can fabricate miniaturized components with high relative accuracy. Since micro machining operations are different than conventional macro machining processes, due to the large negative rake angle and elasto-plastic effects, it is important that the modeling of micro end milling forces incorporates the dynamics of the tool, ploughing and elastic recovery. This study examines the mechanistic modeling of shearing and ploughing domain cutting regimes to accurately predict micro milling forces. The tool dynamics are indirectly identified by performing receptance coupling analysis. Furthermore, the Kalman filter compensation method is used to precisely measure the forces to obtain the cutting constants.     

A model for thread milling cutting forces

This paper presents a mechanistic model for prediction of the thread milling forces. The mechanics of cutting for thread milling is analyzed similar to the end milling process but with modified cutting edge geometry. The chip thickness and cutting force models are developed considering the unique geometry of the tool. The model has been calibrated for 6061 Aluminum and validated. The effects of tool and thread geometry have been studied using the model.     

Modeling of three-dimensional numerically controlled end milling operations

A computer-aided cutting simulation system was developed to model three-dimensional numerically controlled (NC) end milling operations. In the developed system, varying axial and radial depths of cut in an NC tool path were identified by a solid modeling system using constructive solid geometry and boundary representation techniques. Once the axial and radial depths of cut were calculated, the dynamic cutting force was calculated from an end milling process model. As a result, the cutting performance in three-dimensional NC end milling operations can be verified and optimized through this approach.     

可变径向切深下螺旋齿球头铣刀微细铣削

微细铣削加工是使用微型立铣刀在高主轴转速下制造微型元件的加工方式,分析切削力和加工稳定性对表征微细铣削加工过程起着重要的作用。提出一种数值分析的方法来研究螺旋齿球头立铣刀在可变径向切削深度下的微细铣削加工过程。首先建立了球头铣刀微细铣削的模型,并推导了切削力的计算公式;采用时域仿真的方法详细计算了螺旋齿球头立铣刀和平头立铣刀铣削加工的切削力,并对比了二者切削力仿真的结果;通过时域和频域研究相结合的方式详细分析了小径向切深下球头铣刀微细铣削的稳定性。最后,分析得到了Hopf-flip分岔,并深入对比和分析了不同加工条件下铣削加工的稳定性状况。     

Analytical modeling of turn-milling process geometry,kinematics and mechanics

This paper presents an analytical approach for modeling of turn-milling which is a promising cutting process combining two conventional machining operations; turning and milling. This relatively new technology could be an alternative to turning for improved productivity in many applications but especially in cases involving hard-to-machine material or large work diameter. Intermittent nature of the process reduces forces on the workpiece, cutting temperatures and thus tool wear, and helps breaking of chips. The objective of this study is to develop a process model for turn-milling operations. In this article, for the first time, uncut chip geometry and tool–work engagement limits are defined for orthogonal, tangential and co-axial turn-milling operations. A novel analytical turn-milling force model is also developed and verified by experiments. Furthermore, matters related to machined part quality in turn-milling such as cusp height, circularity and circumferential surface roughness are defined and analytical expressions are derived. Proposed models show a good agreement with the experimental data where the error in force calculations is less than 10% for different cutting parameters and less than 3% in machined part quality analysis.     

微细铣削时积屑瘤现象的研究

针对微细铣削实验时的积屑瘤现象,在分析其成因的基础上,研究了切削用量、切削液、刀具几何参数、刀具表面粗糙度及工件材料硬度等因素对积屑瘤的影响机制;分析了积屑瘤的产生对加工工件精度、切削力及切削振动的影响;提出了在微细铣削过程中抑制积屑瘤生成的主要方法。     

通用立铣刀真实切削轨迹下五轴铣削力计算

针对五轴铣削中刀具位姿变化和刀具类型差异所导致的铣削力预测难的问题，提出通用立铣刀五轴铣削力计算方法。基于通用立铣刀结构形式，建立通用立铣刀几何模型；综合考虑刀齿真实运动轨迹和刀具姿态变化，构建刀具瞬时切屑厚度模型；将刀具沿轴线方向等分成若干切削刃微元，并根据线性切削力假设建立刀具微元铣削力；将微元铣削力从刀具坐标系转换至工件坐标系下，并沿刀具轴向铣削深度进行积分，获得通用立铣刀的五轴铣削力模型；最后，在混联五轴数控加工实验平台上开展了铣削力测试。实测结果表明:所提铣削力计算方法正确有效，可作为后续五轴铣削工艺参数优选的理论依据。     

Optimum orientation of a torus milling cutter: Method to balance the transversal cutting force

In this paper, a new method for tool positioning in milling on torus cutters with round inserts is presented. A new criterion associated with balancing of the transversal cutting force is used to compute a tool orientation. The considered tool inclination is towards the back of the tool. In this case, all inserts work simultaneously and generate a continuous cutting phenomenon. Each of the inserts produces a transversal cutting force; some being positive while others are negative. A small tool axis inclination angle leads to balancing the transversal cutting force exerted on the tool and then reducing deflection and vibrations in milling operations. Firstly, this approach to the dynamic aspects relating to cutting forces in the milling process is significant for mould and die manufacturing since it allows polishing time to be reduced. In addition, as vibrations are reduced, enhanced surface quality can be obtained directly on free-form surfaces such as aeronautic fittings.     

Chatter suppression in micro end milling with process damping

Micro milling utilizes miniature micro end mills to fabricate complexly sculpted shapes at high rotational speeds. One of the challenges in micro machining is regenerative chatter, which is an unstable vibration that can cause severe tool wear and breakage, especially in the micro scale. In order to predict chatter stability, the tool tip dynamics and cutting coefficients are required. However, in micro milling, the elasto-plastic nature of micro machining operations results in large process damping in the machining process, which affects the chatter. We have used the equivalent volume interface between the tool and the workpiece to determine the process damping parameter. Furthermore, the accurate measurement of the tool tip dynamics is not possible through direct impact hammer testing. The dynamics at the tool tip is indirectly obtained by employing the receptance coupling method, and the mechanistic cutting coefficients are obtained from experimental cutting tests. Chatter stability experiments have been performed to examine the proposed chatter stability model in micro milling.     

Mechanistic modeling of five-axis machining with a general end mill considering cutter runout

The accurate and fast prediction of cutting forces in five-axis milling of free-form surfaces remains a challenge due to difficulties in determining the varying cutter-workpiece engagement (CWE) boundaries and the instantaneous uncut chip thickness (IUCT) along the tool path. This paper proposes an approach to predict the cutting forces in five-axis milling process with a general end mill considering the cutter runout effect that is inevitable in the practical machining operations. Based on the analytical model of cutting edge combined with runout parameters, the expression of the rotary surface formed by each cutting edge undergoing general spatial motion is firstly derived. Then by extracting the feasible contact arc along the tool axis, a new arc-surface intersection method is developed to determine the CWE boundaries fast and precisely. Next, the circular tooth trajectory (CTT) model is developed for the calculation of the IUCT with a slight sacrifice of accuracy. In comparison with the true IUCT calculated by the trochoidal tooth trajectory model, the approximation error introduced by the circular assumption is negligible while the computational efficiency improves a lot. Finally, combining with the calibrated cutting coefficients and runout parameters, comprehensive formulation of the cutting force system is set up. Simulations and experimental validations of a five-axis flank milling process show that the novel CTT model possesses obvious advantages in computing efficiency and accuracy over the existing approaches. Rough machining of a turbo impeller is further carried out to test the practicability and effectiveness of the proposed mechanistic model.     

The prediction of cutting force in ball-end milling

Due to the development of CNC machining centers and automatic programming software, the ball-end milling have become the most widely used machining process for sculptured surfaces. In this study, the ball-end milling process has been analysed, and its cutting force model has been developed to predict the instantaneous cutting force on given machining conditions. The development of the model is based on the analysis of cutting geometry of the ball-end mill with plane rake faces. A cutting edge of the ball-end mill was considered as a series of infinitesimal elements, and the geometry of a cutting edge element was analysed to calculate the necessary parameters for its oblique cutting process assuming that each cutting edge was straight. The oblique cutting process in the small cutting edge element has been analysed as an orthogonal cutting process in the plane containing the cutting velocity and chip flow vectors. And with the orthogonal cutting data obtained from end turning tests on thin-walled tubes over wide range of cutting and tooling conditions, the cutting forces of ball-end milling could be predicted using the model. The predicted cutting forces have shown a fairly good agreement with test results in various machining modes.     

Modelling and analysis of micro scale milling considering size effect, micro cutter edge radius and minimum chip thickness

This paper presents mechanisms studies of micro scale milling operation focusing on its characteristics, size effect, micro cutter edge radius and minimum chip thickness. Firstly, a modified Johnson–Cook constitutive equation is formulated to model the material strengthening behaviours at micron level using strain gradient plasticity. A finite element model for micro scale orthogonal machining process is developed considering the material strengthening behaviours, micro cutter edge radius and fracture behaviour of the work material. Then, an analytical micro scale milling force model is developed based on the FE simulations using the cutting principles and the slip-line theory. Extensive experiments of OFHC copper micro scale milling using 0.1 mm diameter micro tool were performed with miniaturized machine tool, and good agreements were achieved between the predicted and the experimental results. Finally, chip formation and size effect of micro scale milling are investigated using the proposed model, and the effects of material strengthening behaviours and minimum chip thickness are discussed as well. Some research findings can be drawn: (1) from the chip formation studies, minimum chip thickness is proposed to be 0.25 times of cutter edge radius for OFHC copper when rake angle is 10° and the cutting edge radius is 2 μm; (2) material strengthening behaviours are found to be the main cause of the size effect of micro scale machining, and the proposed constitutive equation can be used to explain it accurately. (3) That the specific shear energy increases greatly when the uncut chip thickness is smaller than minimum chip thickness is due to the ploughing phenomenon and the accumulation of the actual chip thickness.     

Feedrate scheduling for indexable end milling process based on an improved cutting force model

In CNC machining, an optimal process plan is needed for higher productivity and machining performance. This paper proposes a mechanistic cutting force model to perform feedrate scheduling that is useful in process planning for indexable end milling. Indexable end mills, which consist of inserts and a cutter body, have been widely used in the roughing of parts in the mold industry. The geometry and distribution of inserts compose a discontinuous cutting edge on the cutter body, and tool geometry of indexable end mill varies with axial position due to the geometry and distribution of inserts. Thus, an algorithm that calculates tool geometry data at an arbitrary axial position was developed. The developed cutting force model uses cutting-condition-independent cutting force coefficients and considers run out, cutter deflection, geometry variation and size effect for accurate cutting force prediction. Through feedrate scheduling, NC code is optimized to regulate cutting forces at given reference force. Experiments with general NC codes show the effectiveness of feedrate scheduling in process planning.     

微铣刀制备技术与实验研究

微铣刀制备技术是微细铣削的关键技术之一,对微细铣削加工出的微小零部件的特征尺寸和表面质量有重要影响。从微铣刀具的材料与涂层及其制造工艺两方面,对微铣刀制备技术进行了介绍,并通过线电极电火花磨削方法制备了刀头直径为100μm的微铣刀,初步验证了基于自研μEM-200CDS2微细组合电加工机床开展微铣刀在位制备的能力。     

Angle and frequency domain force models for a roughing end mill with a sinusoidal edge profile

This paper presents analytical force models for a cylindrical roughing end mill with a sinusoidal edge profile in both the angle and frequency domains. Starting from a general expression for the chip thickness model, it is shown that under normal feed conditions, there exists only one cutting point at any axial position for an N-flute roughing end mill with its chip thickness N times that of a regular end mill, while the effective axial depth of cut is only 1/Nth that of a regular end mill. Based on the chip load model, the analytical force model is subsequently established through convolution integration of the elemental cutting function with the cutting edge geometry function in the angular domain, followed by Fourier analysis to obtain the frequency domain force model. Distinctive features of the milling forces for a roughing end mill are illustrated and compared with a regular end mill in the frequency as well as in the angular domain. The effects of the geometric parameters of a roughing end mill on the chip load distribution and on the features of milling force are discussed. The force models in both the frequency and angular domains are finally verified through milling experiments.     

Dynamic response analysis in end milling using pre-twisted beam finite elements

This paper develops an analytical model for estimating the dynamic responses in end milling, i.e. dynamic milling cutter deflections and cutting forces, by using the finite-element method along with an adequate end milling-cutting force model. The whole cutting system includes the spindle, the bearings and the cutter. The spindle is modelled structurally with the Timoshenko-beam element, the milling cutter with the pre-twisted Timoshenko-beam element due to its special geometry, and the bearings with lumped springs and dampers. Because the damping matrix in the resulting finite-element equation of motion for the whole cutting system is not one of proportional damping due to the presence of bearing damping, the state-vector approach and the convolution integral is used to find the solution of the equation of motion. To assure the accuracy of prediction of the dynamic response, the associated cutting force model should be sufficiently precise. Since the dynamic cutting force is proportional to the chip thickness, a quite accurate alogorithm for the calculation of the variation of the chip thickness due to geometry, run-out and spindle-tool viration is developed. A number of dynamic cutting forces and tool deflections obtained from the present model for various cutting conditions are compared with the experimental and analytical results available in the literature, good agreement being demonstrated for these comparisons. The present model is useful, therefore, for the prediction of end milling instability. Also, the tool deflections obtained using the pre-twisted beam element are found to be smaller than those obtained using the straight beam element without pre-twist angle. Hence neglecting the pre-twist angle in the structural model of the milling cutter may overestimate the tool deflections.     

Mechanistic model for prediction of cutting forces in micro end-milling and experimental comparison

Micro end milling is an important process in the manufacture of micro and meso scale products and has an advantage of creating more complex geometry in a wider variety of materials in comparison with other micro-machining methods. In this paper, a new methodology for predicting the cutting coefficients considering the edge radius and material strengthening effects is presented. Further a mechanistic model is developed to predict the cutting forces in micro end milling operation taking into account overlapping tooth engagements. The mechanistic model, derived from basics considering material property and principles of metal cutting, is valid for a wider range of cutting parameters. The model is validated with the results from micro slot end-milling of mild steel carried out on the basis of full factorial design. On comparing the amplitudes of cutting forces, it is seen that mechanistic model predicts the transverse force with an average absolute error of 12.29%, while a higher prediction error of 19.49% is obtained for feed force. Additionally the mechanistic model is able to predict the variations in the cutting forces with rotation of the cutter and average absolute deviations of 13% and 11% are obtained for feed and transverse forces, respectively.     

Precise prediction of forces in milling circular corners

Pocket corner is the most typical characters of aerospace structure components. To achieve high-quality product and stable machining operation, manufacturer constantly seek to control the cutting forces in pocket corner milling process. This paper presents the cutting force in corner milling considering the precision instantaneous achievements of tool engagement angle and undeformed chip thickness. To achieve the actual milling tool engagement angle in corner milling process, the details of tool–corner engagement relationship are analyzed considering the elements of tool trajectory, tool radius, and corner radius. The actual undeformed chip thicknesses in up and down milling operations are approached on account of the trochoid paths of adjacent teeth by a presented iteration algorithm. Error analysis shows that the presented models of tool engagement angle and undeformed chip thickness have higher precision comparing with the traditional models. Combined with the cutting force coefficients fitted by a series of slot milling tests, the predicted cutting force in milling titanium pocket with different corner structure and milling parameters are achieved, and the prediction accuracy of the model was validated experimentally and the obtained predict and the experiment results were found in good agreement.     

Improved modelling of cutting force coefficients in peripheral milling

Titanium is one of the most widely used metals in the aircraft and turbine manufacturing industries. Accurate prediction of cutting forces is important in controlling the dimensional accuracy of thin walled aerospace components. In this paper, a general three-dimensional mechanistic model for peripheral milling processes is presented. The effects of chip thickness, rake angle and cutting geometry on chip flow, rake face friction and pressure, and cutting forces are analyzed. A set of closed form expressions with experimentally estimated cutting force factors are presented for the prediction of cutting forces. The model is verified experimentally in the peripheral milling of a titanium alloy. For a given set of cutting conditions and tool geometry, the model predicts the cutting forces accurately for the chip thickness and rake angle ranges tested.