High-speed milling - A new manufacturing technology

High-speed milling (HSM) is becoming industrial practice instead of only laboratory use. Still it is generally considered a new manufacturing technology. The high-speed milling method has many benefits compared to conventional milling. Very often high-speed milling is considered just a way to improve productivity resulting front faster cutting speeds than those used conventionally. Seldom is it emphasised that the product quality can be improved as a consequence of increased accuracy and better surface finish. This report is based on the results of several Finnish projects on high-speed milling for testing the suitability of high-speed milling for different kinds of materials. In this paper the following topics are discussed: milling tools in high-speed machining and high-speed milling of different materials. The materials machined were steels, aluminium alloys, graphites and polymer matrix composites. The conclusion drawn is that most of the materials can be machined by high-speed milling. A good result is obtained by careful selection of cutting parameters. In high-speed milling, the tool life with a goal-oriented milling tool - material machined - cutting parameter combination is acceptable and the machining result is sufficient. When tools are not selected goal-orientedly, the rate of loot wear is rapid.