Generalized mechanistic force system model of ball-end milling for sculpture surface machining

Abstract

In this paper, a new mechanistic model is developed for the prediction of cutting force system in ball-end milling process. The key feature of the model includes the ability to calculate the workpiece / cutter intersection domain automatically for a given cutter location (CL) file, cutter and workpiece geometries. Moreover, an analytical approach is used to determine the instantaneous chip load and cutting forces. The model also employs a Boolean approach for given cutter, workpiece geometries, and the CL file in order to determine the surface topography and scallop height variations along the workpiece surface which can be visualized in 3-D. Some of the typical results from the model validation experiments performed on Ti-6Al-4V are also reported in the paper. Comparisons of the predicted and measured forces as well as the surface topographies show good agreement.