Cutting Forces Analysis During High Speed Milling of Hardened Tool Steel

The paper presents an experimental investigation of high speed milling of a hardened tool steel when machining sculptured and flat surfaces from the point view of a tool load. The experiments were performed on a hardened tool steel (DIN 1.2080) of 52 HRc hardness using index able insert toroidal cutter employing coated carbide bits. The effect of different tool paths, process parameters and rates of a tool wear on the cutting forces induced was investigated. The cutting parameters involved were cutting speeds ranging from 150 to 430 m/min, constant feed rate 0.1 mm/tooth and axial-radial depths of cut 0.5 mm. The optimum cutting conditions were specified based on the cutting forces induced.