Development of a Forward-Reverse Rotating cBN Electroplated End Mill Type Tool for Cutting and Grinding CFRP

Abstract

Currently, the demand for carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) has increased in various fields. However, there have been few studies investigating the machined surface quality, degradation in CFRP mechanical properties with machining temperature, or machining tool cost. In particular, the machining temperature is considered to affect the machined quality because the CFRP matrix is a resin. In this study, a cubic boron nitride (cBN) electroplated end mill was developed; this novel tool can switch between cutting and grinding without needing to change the tool. To observe the relationship between the amount of abrasive grain in contact with the CFRP and the occurrence of burrs, a grinding test was conducted with different clearance angles of the end mill and different abrasive grain sizes. The temperature during the grinding processes was measured, and the burrs were estimated after the grinding processes. From these results, the contact amount of the abrasive grit suitable for grinding was derived.