Monitoring the temperature of the milling process using infrared camera

Abstract

The study of temperatures generated in machining processes has been the theme of research since the beginning of the XX century. High temperatures can provoke changes in the microstructure of materials, resulting in form errors that may cause loss of the machined material and a decrease of tool life. As a result, high temperatures can be responsible an increase in production costs. This work uses a methodology to select the machining parameters in order to define the best parameters of influence for decreasing temperature during the milling of aluminum alloys. Work pieces were milled using a carbide end mill without coolant fluid. The experimental factors were feed rate, cutting speed, radial depth of cut and cutting direction. An infrared camera was used to capture the temperature on the opposite face of the cutting region, consequently allowing the monitoring of the temperature range during the cutting process. The results showed that the increase in temperature has a direct relation with the radial depth of cut, feed rate and cutting direction. Furthermore, the use of the infrared camera during the milling process showed flexibility and easy data acquisition. Key words: Milling, thermograph, temperature, aluminum alloys, feed rate.