Parametric studies on buckling loads and critical speeds of microdrill bits

Transverse bending vibrations of the spinning microdrill bit subjected to a compressive axial load are developed based on the Timoshenko beam theory. The system equations of motion are discretized into the form of time-dependent ordinary differential equations by the finite element method. Two types of eigenvalue problems are formulated and utilized to study the effects of the drill helix angle, flute length and diameter on the buckling load and critical speed of microdrill bits with different supported ends. Equivalent formulae similar to those of untwisted Euler beams are established to predict critical buckling loads and critical speeds for microdrills and provide results with sufficient accuracy. The effect of rotational speed on the buckling load, and the influence of thrust force on critical speed are also investigated. A Galef-type equation associated with critical speed, thrust force and buckling load is formulated. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.