A novel mechanics model of parametric helical-end mills for 3D cutting force prediction

Abstract

Cutting force prediction plays an important role in modern manufacturing systems to effectively design cutters, fixtures, and machine tools. A novel mechanics model of parametric helical-end mills is systematically presented for three-dimensional (3D) cutting force prediction in the article, which is different from mechanistic approach and Oxley’s predictive machining theory in model formulation and shear stress identification process. The single-flute cutting edge and multiflute cutting edge of helical-end mills are modelled according to kinematic analysis with vector algebra. Based on Merchant’s oblique cutting theory, a new mechanics model of 3D cutting force with runout has been developed. Meanwhile, the asynchronous problem between predicted and measured curves is solved by adjusting phase angle to minimize the average deviation. After minimizing the asynchronous phase angle deviation, shear stress can be estimated directly using corresponding peak-to-peak ratio or valley-to-valley ratio of the predicted curves and the measured curves in X- and Y-directions of an arbitrary selected milling test. To assess the feasibility of the general model, over 100 milling experiments of aluminium alloy (7075) using flat-end mills and ball-end mills were conducted, respectively, and numerical tests implemented in time domain on MathWorks platform. The comparative results indicated that the predicted and the measured waveforms were quite satisfied in both pulsation pattern and period.