The optimal cutter orientation in ball end milling of cantilever-shaped thin plate

This research was carried out in order to find the optimal cutter orientation, which could have an effect on geometric accuracy and surface integrity, in high-speed ball end milling of thin cantilever-shaped plates, such as turbine blades and impellers. The experiments were performed at a workpiece tilt angle of 45° using various cutter orientations and materials. Workpiece deflection, surface profile, and surface roughness of the machined surface were measured. The results showed that when machining a cantilever-shaped thin plate, the best cutting strategy was a vertical upward cutter orientation at a workpiece tilt angle of 45°.