Cutting parameters optimization of high-speed milling of thin-walled graphite electrode

Graphite electrode material has been extensively used for thin-walled electrode manufacturing, due to its typical brittleness, HSM becomes the main process method to obtain higher productivity and good surface finish. According to the structure characteristics of the thin-walled graphite electrode and the problems arising in its high-speed milling, through high-speed milling experiments, researches have been done into the effect of the main cutting parameters on cutting forces, which include cutting speed, feed per tooth, radial cutting depth, axial cutting depth, down or up milling. Finally, cutting parameters optimization strategies of high-speed milling of thin-walled graphite electrode aiming to obtain higher efficiency and high quality are presented as follows: down-cut mode, moderate radial depth of cut and flat endmill should be adopted in high-speed milling of graphite electrode.