Experimental investigation of the influence of cutting parameters on surface quality and on the special characteristics of micro-milled surfaces of hardened steels

Micro-milling is one of the most essential technologies to produce micro components, but due to the size effect, it has many special characteristics and challenges. The process can be characterised by strong vibrations, relatively large run-out and tool deformation, which directly affects the quality of the machined surface. This paper deals with a detailed investigation of the influence of cutting parameters on surface roughness and on the special characteristics of micro-milled surfaces. Several systematic series of experiments were carried out and analysed in detail. A five-axis micromachining centre and a two fluted, coated carbide micro-milling tool with a diameter of 500 mu m were used for the tests. The experiments were conducted on AISI H13 hot-work tool steel and Bohler M303 martensitic corrosion resistance steel with a hardness of 50 HRC in order to gain relevant information of machining characteristics of potential materials of micro-injection moulding tools. The effect of the cutting parameters on the surface quality and on the ratio of R-z/R-a was investigated in a comprehensive cutting parameter range. ANOVA was used for the statistical evaluation. A novel method is presented, which allows a detailed analysis of the surface profile and repetitions, and identify the frequencies that create the characteristic profile of the surface. The procedure establishes a connection between the frequencies obtained during the analysis of dynamics (forces, vibrations) of the micro-milling process and the characterising repetitions and frequencies of the surface.