Influence of tool path strategy on the cycle time of high-speed milling

This work at first look discusses the influence of the tool path strategy on the cycle time of high-speed milling operations. Experiments and predictions were focused on pocketing operations with a zig-zag tool path, quantifying the significant discrepancy between the programmed feed rate and the actual average feed rate. A mechanistic approach for cycle time evaluation is proposed. The mechanistic model construction is based on the experimental measurement of the machine tool acceleration and specific geometric assumptions regarding tool motion. For high feed rates, the proposed approach is capable of capturing the influence of the zig-zag tool path orientation on the machining cycle time. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.