Surface texture generation using high-feed milling with spindle speed modulation

Abstract

This paper presents a new surface texturing technique using ball-end milling with high feed speed and spindle speed modulation. The ratio between feed-rate and cutting tool radius is in the range of 0.2–0.4, which is much larger than the ratio in conventional milling. Sinusoidal modulation signal is added, so the spindle speed becomes time-varying in order to generate different texture profiles. The cutting tool kinematics are modeled considering the tool-tip run-out and deflection due to cutting forces. The effects of amplitude and frequency of the modulation signal on tool-tip trajectories and surface textures are simulated and analyzed. The relationship between the micro features of the surface texture and the process parameters are investigated. Surface texturing experiments are conducted based on the proposed technique, and tribology tests are performed on the textured surface. It is shown that the textured surfaces present frictional anisotropy, which depends on the process conditions and modulation parameters. The proposed technique is able to achieve fast generation of various surface textures without additional instrumentation, and the final texture geometry is controllable based on the presented kinematics model.