A system for optimising cutting parameters when planning milling operations in high-speed machining

A highly important element when computer aided process planning (CAPP) is used consists to choose the manufacturing route in metal removal processes. The paper focuses on this problem related to high-speed machining technology. At present, decisions concerning the cutting parameters used in metal removal operations are based on experience. The goal is to design a system which helps to select the parameters in the cutting process of milling and high speed milling. The algorithm is based on optimising the cost of the operation. The result is the parameters that take into account all the existing restrictive factors included in machining operations. A wide range of parts have been evaluated, using group technology in order to choose representative cases. The results are evaluated with the values proposed in the reference manuals. The experiment has served to determine the different relationships between the factors that have an influence on milling operations when high-speed machining technology is used for all the pieces studied. Applying our method helps to make the right decisions on the optimal parameters in mill and high speed mill operations as applied to the machining processes, and, leads to a reduction for both conventional milling and high speed milling operations in processing times while ensuring optimal finishing conditions. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.