The Influence of Tool Path Strategies on Cutting Force and Surface Texture during Ball End Milling of Low Curvature Convex Surfaces

Abstract EN

Advancement in machining technology of curved surfaces for various engineeringapplications is increasing.

Various methodologies and computer tools have been developed bythe manufacturers to improve efficiency of freeform surface machining.

Selection of the rightsets of cutter path strategies and appropriate cutting conditions is extremely important inensuring high productivity rate, meeting the better quality level, and lower cutting forces.

Inthis paper, cutting force as a new decision criterion for the best selection of tool paths onconvex surfaces is presented.

Therefore, this work aims at studying and analyzing differentfinishing strategies to assess their influence on surface texture, cutting forces, and machiningtime.

Design and analysis of experiments are performed by means of Taguchi technique andanalysis of variance.

In addition, the significant parameters affecting the cutting force in eachstrategy are introduced.

Machining strategies employed include raster, 3D-offset, radial, andspiral.

The cutting parameters were feed rate, cutting speed, and step over.

The experimentswere carried out on low curvature convex surfaces of stainless steel 1.4903.

The conclusion isthat radial strategy provokes the best surface texture and the lowest cutting forces and spiralstrategy signifies the worst surface texture and the highest cutting forces.