Abstract
This research effort is focused on finding out the influence of cutting direction on machining error in ball end milling of cylindrical surface. Ball end milling process is often used to machine sculptured surfaces of molds, dies and various aerospace components that often have to be of high dimensional and geometric accuracy. But for the complicated surface geometry, it is often difficult to select appropriate cutting conditions to achieve high productivity while maintaining part quality. In this study, the machining error in arbitrary cutting direction in ball end milling of cylindrical surface is investigated. The influences of cutting direction in different cutting conditions are clarified with measured machining errors. Then the appropriate cutting conditions for different cutting modes are discussed.
