Optimization of micro milling technology

Objectives:

One of the most important inducements of modern manufacturing technology is the continuously growing demand on miniaturization. This can be satisfied also by size conversion of conventional processes. Micro milling provides the most flexible machining method out of micro chip removal processes. The exploration of knowledge about well controlled technology by scientific research is very relevant yet.

Size effect plays an essential role at micro machining. The correlations and principles experienced at conventional size manufacturing are not or just limited valid. The reason of that is the small size of the tool, the applicable machining parameters, and their order to the cutting edge radius and to the grain or phase size. Geometrical accuracy and surface quality are also affected by relatively large deflection and wear of the tool, and by strong burr formation at micro milling.

Main aim of current research activity is reduction of above mentioned specific defects of process. The performance can be developed by choosing adequate cutting parameters, and application of reasonable and efficient machining strategy, particularly optimized tool paths.
As a result of the project technological recommendations providing repeatable good quality will be introduced, which assure accurate, productive, and economical production of small sized parts of devices.

The research is planned to be realized by cooperation with the expert fellow workers of University of Queretaro, Faculty of Engineering. The Mexican researchers are complementing our experimental investigation by processing and evaluation of recoded measuring signals, and by generation of analytical process model of micro milling.
The cooperation provides ideal possibility for successful accomplishment of this complex research project. Participating Mexican researchers has large experiences on sensorless and sensor based monitoring of machining processes.