A study of effects of changing the position of the tool axis against the machined surface

Abstract

The article focuses on monitoring the machined surface after it has been machined with different milling strategies. Different milling strategies refer to milling whilst changing the tool axis relative to the surface after finishing the free form milling. The research focuses mainly on the geometric characteristics of the finished surface profile and residual stresses in the surface layer. The goal of the experimental work is to find an effective position of the tool axis, or an effective interval of the tool axis, in relation to the machined surface normal. Practical applications of the results are focused on finishing milling of complicated shape surfaces especially in the production of moulds and dies for the automotive and aerospace industries. The technology is based on the substitution of three-axis milling for multi-axis milling, i.e. mainly 5-axis simultaneous milling.