Optimization of Cutting Parameters in Helical Milling of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer

To investigate cutting performance in the helical milling of carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP),experiments were conducted with unidirectional laminates.The results show that the influence of cutting parameters is very significant in the helical milling process. The axial force increases with the increase of cutting speed, which is below 95 m/min; otherwise, the axial force decreases with the increase of cutting speed. The resultant force always increases when cutting speed increases; with the increase of tangential and axial feed rates, cutting forces increase gradually. In addition, damage rings can appear in certain regions of the entry edges; therefore, the relationship between machining performance(cutting forces and holemaking quality) and cutting parameters is established using the nonlinear fitting methodology. Thus, three cutting parameters in the helical milling of CFRP, under the steady state, are optimized based on the multi-objective genetic algorithm, including material removal rate and machining performance. Finally, experiments were carried out to prove the validity of optimized cutting parameters.

Effects of fiber orientation on tool wear evolution and wear mechanism when cutting carbon fiber reinforced plastics

The aim of the present paper is to reveal the influence of different fiber orientations on the tool wear evolution and wear mechanism. Side-milling experiments with large-diameter milling tools are conducted. A finite element(FE) cutting model of carbon fiber reinforced plastics(CFRP)is established to get insight into the cutting stress status at different wear stages. The results show that different fiber orientations bring about distinct differences in the extent, profile and mechanism of tool wear. Severer wear occurs when cutting 45° and 90° plies, followed by 0°, correspondingly,the least wear is obtained when θ = 135°(θ represents the orientation of fibers). Moreover, the worn profiles of cutting tools when θ = 0° and 45° are waterfall edge, while round edge occurs whenθ = 135° and a combined shape of waterfall and round edge is obtained when θ = 90°. The wear mechanisms under different fiber orientations are strongly dependent on the cutting stress distributions. The evolution of tool wear profile is basically consistent with the stress distribution on the tool surface at different wear stages, and the extent of tool wear is determined by the magnitude of stress on the tool surface. Besides, the worn edges produce an actual negative clearance angle,which decreases the actual cutting thickness and leads to compressing and bending failure of fibers beneath the cutting region as well as low surface qualities.

Effect of cooling strategies on performance and mechanism of helical milling of CFRP/Ti-6Al-4V stacks

Hole-making for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics(CFRP)/Ti-6Al-4V stacks is crucial for the assembling strength of aircraft structure parts.This work carried out experimental work for helical milling(HM)of the stacks with sustainable cooling/lubrication(dry,MQL and cryogenic)conditions.Cutting forces and temperatures at the CFRP layer,Ti-6Al-4V layer and the interface of stacks were obtained by a developed measuring system.The temperatures in CFRP machining at cryogenic condition varied from-167℃to-94℃,which were much lower than those at dry and MQL conditions.The maximum temperature near the interface of stacks for the ninth hole was higher than 240℃due to heat conduction from Ti-6Al-4V layer.The hole quality,hole diameter and tool wear mechanism at different cooling/lubrication conditions were presented and discussed.MQL condition generated mainly extrusion fracture for the fibers,due to the reduced friction effect compared with dry condition.MQL was helpful to reduce the feed mark at the hole surface of Ti-6Al-4V alloy.The flank wear of cutting edge at MQL condition was better than those at dry and cryogenic conditions.Cryogenic cooling contributed to better CFRP surface with smaller delamination and hole entrance damage due to the increased resin strength and fiber brittleness.The damage near the entrance of CFRP were analyzed by the contact state of cutting edges and fibers.Additionally,hole diameters near the exit of CFPR layer were larger than other test positions.This work provided feasible processes for improving hole quality and tool life in hole-making of CFRP/Ti-6Al-4V stacks.