Title: Experimental investigation on micromilling of austenitic stainless steel

Authors: Dirk Biermann; Markus Steiner

Addresses: Institute of Machining Technology, Technical University (TU) Dortmund, Baroper Str. 301, 44227 Dortmund, Germany. ' Institute of Machining Technology, Technical University (TU) Dortmund, Baroper Str. 301, 44227 Dortmund, Germany

Abstract: This paper presents the results of experimental investigations on the micro-machinability of the austenitic stainless steel 1.4301 under dry cutting conditions. Two different types of coated carbide micro end-milling cutters with a diameter of d = 1 mm were used. Applying a central composite design for the experimental investigations, the effects of the process parameters cutting speed v_c, depth of cut a_p, width of cut a_e and feed per tooth f_z on the process forces were analysed. It was found that the cutting speed v_c had nearly no influence on the active force F_a. The feed per tooth f_z is the major factor influencing the active force F_a for the defined parameter range. The achievable surface roughness and the tool wear were analysed as well. Based on the experimental results a range for suitable cutting parameters was identified and a comparison of two different tool designs was done.

Keywords: micromilling; micromachining; microproduction; austenitic stainless steel; process forces; surface quality; tool wear; coated carbide; tool types; central composite design; dry cutting; dry machining; end milling; cutting speed; feed per tooth; surface roughness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2012.047020

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2012 Vol.8 No.3, pp.184 - 201

Received: 29 Jun 2011
Accepted: 01 Dec 2011
Published online: 21 Aug 2014 *

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