A predicted milling force model for high-speed end milling operation

In this study, a predicted milling force model for the end milling operation is proposed. The speed of spindle rotation, feed per tooth, and axial and radial depth of cut are considered as the affecting factors. An orthogonal rotatable central composite design and the response surface methodology are used to construct this model. The milling force per spindle revolution period obtained from each treatment is equally divided into suitable sections. The extreme value of the milling force in each section is selected to build the predicted model so as to predict the extreme force in each section for any cutting conditions within the specified range of the design database, including the speed of spindle rotation, feed per tooth, and axial and radial depth of cut. Moreover, the predicted extreme force in each section is applied to reconstruct the milling force waveform by means of the expansion of the Fourier series. The predicted model presented in this paper is adequate for a 95% confidence interval, and shows good correlation between experimental and predicted results. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.