Experimental study on high frequency chatter attenuation in 2-D vibration assisted micro milling process

Regenerative chatter is an unstable form of self-excited vibration in the machining process, and it is one of the main obstacles which limit the productivity and the surface quality of the component. This paper investigates the effect of 2-D vibration assistance on high frequency regenerative chatter in the micro milling process. External vibration is applied on the workpiece in a range of frequencies and amplitudes using the piezoelectric actuators. The chatter vibration is monitored using the sound pressure signal measured by the microphone. The chatter amplitude with vibration assistance in 1-D (feed or normal direction) and 2-D is studied. The effect of the frequency and amplitude of the vibration assistance on chatter amplitude is analyzed. It is concluded that the vibration assistance is able to effectively attenuate the high frequency chatter by modifying the dynamic chip thickness and adding process damping in the micro milling process.