An experimental analysis of process parameters for the milling of micro-channels in biomaterials

Abstract

The increase in the demand for micro-parts, in combination with an ample range of shapes and materials, has created strong interest in micro-mechanical machining. The field of medicine provides an opportunity to use micro-production to manufacture micro-devices for tissue engineering surgery, surgical instruments and minimally invasive devices (catheters, stents, aneurysm clips, etc.). In an effort to understand the relationship between process parameters and the quality of the geometrical features of the final micro-part an experimental analysis was carried out using stainless steel (316L) and titanium (Ti6Al4V) with hardnesses of 88 HRB and 107 HRB respectively. The experiments were performed with varying parameters such as spindle speed (N), depth of cut per pass (ap), channel depth (d), feed per tooth (fz) and coolant application. This study finds better results when micro-channels were made in wet conditions. When coolant was used, the shape profiles of micro-channels created in titanium were of better quality than those made in stainless steel.