The influence of the cutting edge shape on high performance cutting

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the influence of the shape of a cutting edge on high-performance milling high-performance cutting. The main purpose of the test was to determine the possibility of increasing the efficiency of machining AlZn5.5CuMg alloy, which is used mainly for the thin-walled structural aerospace components.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, eight cutters for machining aluminum alloys with different shape of the cutting edge (1 – continuous, 4 – interrupted, 3 – wavy) were tested. The influence of different shapes of a cutting edge on cutting force components and vibration amplitude was analyzed. Furthermore, the impact of a chip breaker on the form of a chip was determined.

Findings

The conducted test shows that using discontinuous shapes of a cutting edge has impact on the reduction of the cutting force components and, in most cases, on the increase of vibration amplitude. Moreover, using a chip breaker caused significant chip dispersion. The optimal shape of a cutting edge for cutting AlZn5.5CuMg alloy is fine wavy shape.

Practical implications

Potential practical application of the research is high-performance milling of AlZn5.5CuMg alloy, for example, production of thin-walled aerospace structural components.

Originality/value

Different shapes of a cutting edge during high-performance milling of aluminum alloy were tested. The influence of tested geometries on HPC process was determined. The most favourable shape of a cutting edge for high-performance cutting of AlZn5.5CuMg alloy was determined.

Citation

Burek, J., Zylka, L., Plodzien, M., Gdula, M. and Sulkowicz, P. (2018), "The influence of the cutting edge shape on high performance cutting", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 90 No. 1, pp. 134-145. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-11-2015-0243