Modelling, simulation and experimental investigation of cutting forces during helical milling operations

The kinematics of helical milling on a three-axis machine tool is first analysed. An analytical model dealing with time domain cutting forces is proposed in this paper. The cutting force model is established in order to accurately predict the cutting forces and torque during helical milling operations as a function of helical feed, spindle velocity, axial and radial cutting depth and milling tool geometry. The forces both on the side cutting edges and on the end cutting edges along the helical feed path are described by considering the tangential and the axial motion of the tool. The dual periodicity which is caused by the spindle rotation, as well as the period of the helical feed of the cutting tool, has been included. Both simulation and experiments have been performed in order to compare the results obtained from modelling with experiments.