On Relationship between Cutting Ability and Cutting Edge Shape of Circular Cutting Edge Ball End Mill

A Study of Cutting Mechanism of Circular Cutting Edge Ball End Mill (3rd Report)

Abstract

The present paper deals with the experimental investigation for relationship between the cutting ability and cutting edge shape of Circular Cutting Edge Ball End Mill (so called C. E. B.). The cutting edge shape of C. E. B. is defined by two parameters α and β, where α and β are rake angle and setting angle of cutting edge respectively. In order to make various cutting edge shapes of C. E. B., the magnified C. E. B. model which consists of various cutting edges with various rake angle, and variable setting angle attachment, was designed and a working model was manufactured. Model cutting test, using a parafine workpiece, was performed to clarify the relationship between cutting edge shape and cutting force. From these experiments, two typical cutting edge shapes were found to give good cutting ability (cutting force, cutting operation angle and chip formation mechanism). These two cutting edge shapes are named C. E. B.-1 and C. E. B.-2, giving good cutting ability for up-cut and down-cut motions in threedimensional space respectively.