Experimental investigating of machinability on milling of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite materials

In this study, milling of the carbon fiber reinforced composite materials were investigated as an experimental with end mill cutting tool. The input parameters included the number of spindle speed, feed rates and cutting tools, while the output parameters were defined as the cutting force, surface roughness and surface damages. A test arrangement was made on the basis of Taguchi L18 (6*1-3*2) orthogonal array. In the tests six different cutting tools, including the 2, 3 and 4 cutting edges 30o helix angled uncoated carbide and the 3 and 4 cutting edges 45o helix angled coated ones were used. The cutting parameters included three different feed rates (0,03-0,06-0,09 mm/tooth) and three different number of spindle speed (3800-4800-5800 rev/min). A dynamometer was used to measure the cutting forces, the surface roughness measurements were made by a surface roughness instrument. The comparative experiments revealed that the uncoated cutting tools had a better performance in terms of the cutting forces, surface roughness and surface damages. It was another determination that an increase in number of cutting edge and helix angle resulted an increase in of the surface roughness and damages.Taguchi method was used to select the most appropriate cutting parameters used in tests. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA) within these parameters, feed rate factor was identified to be most effective one.