For the purpose of acquiring thorough understanding of the characteristics of cutting force in high and ultra-high-speed face milling of hardened steel, experimental investigations on face milling of AISI H13 steel (46-47 HRC) are conducted in the present study. The cutting speed of 1400 m/min, at which relatively low cutting force and relatively low surface roughness can be obtained at the same time, is considered as a critical value for both mechanical load and surface finish. The Taguchi method is applied to investigate the effects of cutting parameters on cutting force in different speed ranges (below and above 1400 m/min). In different speed ranges, the contribution order of the cutting parameters for the resultant cutting force is the same, namely axial depth of cut, cutting speed and feed per tooth. However, the contributions of cutting speed and feed per tooth increase substantially as the cutting speed surpasses 1400 m/min. Within the range of cutting parameters used in the present study, the optimum cutting conditions for the cutting force are cutting speed 200 m/min, feed per tooth 0.02 mm/tooth and axial depth of cut 0.1 mm.
Experimental Analysis and Theoretical Modelling of Cutting Parameters in the Drilling of AISI H13 Steel with Coated and Uncoated Drills