Design optimization of cutting parameters for side milling operations with multiple performance characteristics

In this paper, a grey relational analysis is applied to a set of two-stage experiments designed to determine the cutting parameters for optimizing the side milling process with multiple performance characteristics. The cutting parameters to be considered are cutting speed, feed per tooth, axial depth of cut, radial depth of cut, overhang length and flank wear of peripheral cutting edge. L-36 and L-9 orthogonal arrays are used in the experiments and lower-the-better is used as a qualitative characteristic to evaluate the results. It is found that using the grey relational analysis coupled with a deliberate design of the two-stage experiments is simple and efficient in determining an optimal combination of the cutting parameters. The results of the confirmation test also show that this new approach can greatly improve the cutting performance of side milling process.