Impact of the Type of Tool Holder on the Surface Finish During Precision Machining of WCLV Hardened Steel with Carbide Milling Cutters

Abstract

AbstractPrecision milling of curvilinear free surfaces with the use of monolithic milling cutters is used, among others, in dies and molds production and in production of press-forming dies made of hardened steel. Precision milling processes are carried out with the following milling parameters: axial depth of cut \({a}_{p}<0.33\) mm and radial depth of cut \({a}_{e}<0.5\) mm, with the required machining accuracy below 40 µm. The surface quality of injection molds has a direct impact on the quality of the obtained element (moulded piece). Thanks to the use of carbide tools, high reliability and machining quality are obtained, which allows to eliminate the grinding process. The tests were carried out on samples made of WCLV steel with a hardness of 45–47 HRC (in the Rockwell C scale) with double-edge end mill with a diameter of 6 mm. Two types of tool holders were used to mount a milling cutter. Heat-shrinkable holders and holders made with the use of incremental laser sintering technology were used. Recommendations for the selection of tool holders and machining conditions were defined, which allowed to obtain the required technological quality of the machining surfaces. KeywordsTool holderPrecision machiningHardened tool steel