An analysis of cutting-edge curves and machining performance in the Inconel 718 machining process

When considering the machining of materials used for aircraft components, the principal areas of interest usually include the manufacturing characteristics of the materials when they are machined with different cutting-edge curves, and the development of manufacturing processes that improve the machining precision, thereby reducing the time required to carry out secondary machining operations or error correction of the final component. A further area of concern is to develop manufacturing techniques that are capable of generating highly reliable aircraft components which ensure that flight safety is not compromised through component failure. This paper employs a Taguchi L9 experimental layout to investigate the optimal cutting parameters when machining Inconel 718 with the planar-type conical ball-end cutter, the S-type cutter, and the traditional conical ball-end milling cutter. The current results provide a valuable technical database for aircraft component manufacturers who are seeking to enhance their automatic manufacturing capabilities.