Force Modelling for Temperature Field Determination during High Speed End-Milling of Super Alloys

Abstract

Temperature field in metal cutting process is one of the most important phenomena in machining process. Temperature rise in machining directly or indirectly determines other cutting parameters such as tool life, tool wear, thermal deformation, surface quality and mechanics of chip formation. The variation in temperature of a cutting tool in end milling is more complicated than any other machining operation especially in high speed machining. It is therefore very important to investigate the temperature distribution on the cutting tool—work piece interface in end milling operation. The determination of the temperature field is carried out by the analysis of heat transfer in metal cutting zone. Most studies previously carried out on the temperature distribution model analysis were based on analytical model and with the used of conventional machining that is continuous cutting in nature. The limitations discovered in the models and validated experiments include the oversimplified assumptions which affect the accuracy of the models. In metal cutting process, thermo-mechanical coupling is required and to carry out any temperature field determination successfully, there is need to address the issue of various forces acting during cutting and the frictional effect on the tool-work piece interface. Most previous studies on the temperature field either neglected the effect of friction or assumed it to be constant. The friction model at the tool-work interface and tool-chip interface in metal cutting play a vital role in influencing the modelling process and the accuracy of predicted cutting forces, stress, and temperature distribution. In this work, mechanistic model was adopted to establish the cutting forces and also a new coefficient of friction was also established. This can be used to simulate the cutting process in order to enhance the machining quality especially surface finish and monitor the wear of tool.