A new design and grinding algorithm for ball-end milling cutter with tooth offset center

Ball-end milling cutter with tooth offset center is widely used in machining industry, because it has higher machining efficiency and better stability compared with the ball-end milling cutter without tooth offset center. In addition, the tooth offset center has lower wear rate of the tool tip so the life of the milling cutter is improved. However, up to present, there is no mature and effective theory for the design and manufacture of this kind of milling cutters. This article presents a new mathematical model for S-shaped edge curve of the ball end taking the tooth offset center into account, which can construct accurate S-shaped edge curve for the ball-end cutting tools with tooth offset center as well as without tooth offset center. This model overcomes the complex computation and bad adaptability of the traditional modeling method. At the same time, a five-axis grinding algorithm for rake face of the ball end is also presented in this article. Finally, based on the application programming interface of CATIA (TM), a three-dimensional computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing system is developed. The accuracy and effectiveness of the grinding algorithm are verified by simulation in VERICUT (TM) and machining experiment in tool grinding machine.