Modeling of cutting forces in plunge milling

This paper deals with the modeling of cutting forces in plunge or vertical milling. The operation of rough and semi rough machining allows realizing the walls of moulds and matrices. This new technique of milling greatly contributes to shortening the entire production process, and therefore, saving significant production time and costs. In this paper, we propose a cutting model that includes the determination of tool geometry, trajectories of cutting edge, chip geometry (radial engagement, chip thickness) and the evaluation of the cutting forces. This model is validated experimentally through tests run in the machining centre. In this study, plunge cutting was carried out on the 40CrMnMo8 material using end milling.