Papers by Keyword: Small Radius Ball End Mill

Abstract: The machining of metal dies involves a variety of processes that include grinding, polishing and electrical discharge machining in addition to various cutting processes such as turning, boring, and milling. The precise machining of complex dies, particularly in deep machining, has largely been done by electrical discharge machining in the past, because the use of end mills and other cutting tools for such work has been difficult. In recent years, however, problems such as low machining efficiency and the creation of an affected layer have made the use of end mill cutting tools the general approach to this task. In the research reported here, our objective was to establish guidelines for the optimum design of small radius ball end mills for the deep machining of dies by systematic investigation of the cutting tool characteristics, which is to say the rotational behavior, cutting resistance, actual rate of depth of cut and machining accuracy of small radius ball end mills. Here, the guidelines obtained for ultra-deep, highly-accurate machining that is applicable to machining programs and is based on quantitative results for amounts of tool wear and tool deflection that obtained using the optimum tool shape reported earlier are presented.

Abstract: Machining of complex shape and deep micro cavity in die and mold is mostly carried out by electrical discharge machining process. However, it may not be able to sufficiently meet delivery deadline minimization and cost reduction of die and mold. Therefore, precision machining method using small radius ball end mill capable of machining deep cavities in miniature die and mold is proposed as a substitute for electrical discharge machining. This report presents such a result supported by experiment in which it has been proved that long tool life of ball end mill can be maintained by changing coating material and edge profile of small radius ball end mill experiencing form accuracy and get needed surface finish in workpiece. Therefore, for precision machining of die and mold as substitute for electrical discharge machining, it is proposed to perform deep precision machining using small radius ball end mill. This paper shows effect proved by experiment how cutting characteristics which occur by changing of coating material and edge profile of small radius ball end mill influence form accuracy and finishing surface of workpiece.