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Abstract: Micromilling is one of the technologies widely used to manufacture microstructures and
tooling inserts for microinjection moulding and hot embossing. A number of manufacturing
constraints remain that limit the application of this technology. One of these constraints is that the
existing machining strategies are not appropriate for the manufacture of features that are common
in micro parts. This paper discusses an approach for optimizing these strategies. The aim is to
provide users of computer aided manufacturing (CAM) systems with tools enabling them to
generate cutter paths that take into account the specic conditions arising during micromilling. The
paper studies the advantages and disadvantages of using dierent machining strategies for
micromilling and then veries their capabilities experimentally. Also, an approach is proposed for
storing and re-using expert knowledge about micromachining strategies associated with dierent
feature types.
machined surface, e.g. access radiuses and contact (coolant, misting, chip removal, etc.) assigned to them.
angles. These attributes are very important for selecting These parameters should be grouped and shared between
appropriate machining strategies and enabling CAM the machining sequences. In addition, a machining
systems to derive the operation area for each cutter [5]. strategy (unidirectional, bidirectional, centre milling,
Thus, by utilizing such additional information at the contour, etc.), a freeform strategy (cutter contact, UV,
planning stage of micromachining operations, it is cutter location, leading line, etc.), a plunge strategy
possible to benet from the latest advances in CAM (tool axis, ramp, helix, zigzag) and a retract strategy
technology. (angle, tangent, along path) can be specied for each
CAM systems provide a set of algorithms that are used machining sequence.
to generate machining sequences. CAM tools are avail- Traditionally, tool-path generation issues for machin-
able to dene the machining sequences for roughing, ing operations have been studied from a purely geo-
re-roughing, nishing, rest milling and pencil tracing. metric perspective. When the cutting mechanics and
By employing these tools, it is possible in advance to process dynamics are considered, existing machining
develop proximity maps for dierent machining opera- strategies are found to have signicant deciencies.
tions. For example, the CAM module in Pro/ Excessive plunging and slotting, velocity discontinuities
ENGINEER, Expert Machinist, assists users in generat- and varying cutting geometry limit production rates
ing part programs more eciently by establishing default reduce part quality and increase tool wear. To address
methods of tool entry/exit and by providing cutting, these issues, new algorithms are developed to reduce
connecting and clearance motions that are specic to variations in cutter engagements and chip geometry,
dierent types of machining features. making machining operations more stable, predictable
The strategy selected to carry out the machining of and controllable. Particular emphasis is given to
feature(s) in a part determines the series of machining dynamic limitations of modern high-speed machining
sequences that will be employed to complete the job centres [7, 8].
successfully. It denes the methodology that will be used In the case of micromilling, unlike conventional
for planning cutter paths and generating optimal machining, there are no handbooks available for
sequences of machining operations for each particular selecting the machining parameters. For example, if the
job. Thus, the selected strategy determines the cutter and recommended cutting speed for conventional milling of
the machining algorithm that will be used, the removal aluminium is applied to micromachining, the calculated
area/volume and the corresponding technological param- revolutions per millimetre will be approximately
eters. It also determines the machining parameters asso- 350 000 for a 100 mm diameter cutter, which is clearly
ciated with the selected cutters and removal volumes. In dicult to achieve. Also, in micromilling, special atten-
particular, the feed rates, the spindle speeds, the depth tion should be paid to burr formation at the end of
of cut (step-down), the width of cut (step-over) and the each cut. Burrs are undesirable and it is very dicult to
ramp angle for plunge cutting should be specied. remove them from the microfeatures of parts. Thus, it
This paper discusses an approach for optimizing is important to optimize the cutting parameters and
micromilling strategies. The aim is to provide users of machining strategies in order to avoid their formation.
CAM systems with tools enabling them to generate Cornering is another major issue in optimizing tool
cutter paths that take into account the specic conditions paths for HSM and also micromilling. The tool paths
arising during micromilling. The paper studies the generated by CAM systems should avoid sharp internal
advantages and disadvantages of using dierent machin- corners while maintaining the cutting direction. In
ing strategies for micromilling and then veries their cases where this is not possible, machining strategies
capabilities experimentally. Also, an approach is pro- should be applied to minimize their negative eect.
posed for storing and re-using expert knowledge about Abrupt movements should also be eliminated in order
micromachining strategies associated with dierent to maintain optimal cutting conditions along the entire
feature types. A set of Expert Machinist templates is tool path and so minimize deviations from the pro-
implemented in the Pro/ENGINEER environment grammed feed rates and speeds.
for machining features that are often present in micro An important criterion in selecting machining strategies
parts. is their inuence on the resultant surface nish. The sur-
face roughness that could be achieved using dierent
machining strategies has a direct impact on the product
2 OPTIMIZATION ISSUES IN MICROMILLING quality and is an important factor in determining the
manufacturing cost. It denes the topology of the
According to the new standards for CAD/CAM systems machined surface and, combined with the surface texture,
dened in STEP (standard for the Exchange of Product which is process dependent, plays an important role in
Model Data) [6], all machining operations can have evaluating the technological capabilities of dierent
technology parameters (spindle speeds, feed rates, feed machining strategies. In the case of micromachining, the
rates per tooth, etc.) and machine function parameters resultant surface nish is of even greater importance
Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs Vol. 218 Part B: J. Engineering Manufacture B22403 # IMechE 2004
MICROMILLING STRATEGIES: OPTIMIZATION ISSUES 733
left from each tooth become bigger. It may also be micromachining centre. Either default values or those
noted that applying feed rates within particular recommended by the cutting tool manufacturers were
limits does not lead to substantial improvements in employed for all main parameters (Table 1). These
surface quality. templates were then used to modify the built-in machin-
5. Cutting speed. Increasing the cutting speed usually ing strategies within the Pro/ENGINEER CAM module
improves the cutting conditions and therefore also (see Fig. 2) to adapt them to the specic cutting condi-
the surface quality. In the case of micromachining, it tions during micromachining.
is not always possible to select an optimal cutting The three-dimensional honeycomb microstructure
speed due to the speed limitations of available spindles. shown in Fig. 3 was used to study the suitability of
6. Cutting tool wear. Irregularities in cutting edges due these machining strategies. A part program was gener-
to tool wear are reproduced on the machined surface. ated to machine this structure for each strategy. The
An increase in tool wear also leads to excessive vibra- structures were machined from a copper workpiece
tions and, in the case of micromachining, to cutter using a 1150 mm at end mill cutter.
breakages. The resulting surface roughness for each strategy was
7. Use of cutting uid/air/oil mist. The use of coolant is measured using the Micro-XAM surface mapping
generally advantageous with regard to surface quality. system for three-dimensional surface roughness
Also, the use of coolant facilitates the removal of the measurement. The measurement results are shown in
chips from the cutting area. In this way secondary Fig. 4.
cuts can be avoided, which may lead to considerable These measurements are estimations of the surface
changes in the cutting conditions. roughness (Ra) for 300 300 mm plane patch, calculated
using the Micro-XAM software. In particular, standard
In this study, the same cutting parameters were used
two-dimensional and three-dimensional surface statistics
for all tool paths generated by the built-in machining
involving S-parameters and summit and valley analyses
strategies within the Pro/ENGINEER CAM module.
are applied [11]. They are not the true values of Ra
These parameters were selected following the recommen-
according to the standard, but are sucient to study
dation of cutting tool manufacturers.
the eect of dierent milling strategies on surface
quality. The results obtained are used to compare the
4 EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP
18 40 000 0.01 0.01 0.070 0.104 Fig. 3 The three-dimensional CAD model of the honeycomb
structure
Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs Vol. 218 Part B: J. Engineering Manufacture B22403 # IMechE 2004
MICROMILLING STRATEGIES: OPTIMIZATION ISSUES 735
6 CONCLUSIONS
Fig. 4 Results of the surface roughness measurements
Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs Vol. 218 Part B: J. Engineering Manufacture B22403 # IMechE 2004