Tool performance and attainable surface quality during the machining of aerospace alloys using self-propelled rotary tools

This paper presents an experimental investigation to evaluate the performance of self-propelled rotary tools and machined surface quality during machining waspaloy and titanium alloys. A new rotary tool design with different insert diameters and material/coatings is utilized. The criteria used in the assessment of tool performance are modes of tool wear and roughness as well as topography of machined surface. The performance of the self-propelled rotary tool is compared to that of other conventional tool designs with the same circular tool as well as cutting angles. The experimental results are used to define the optimum and safe cutting conditions for high performance machining of aerospace material using self-propelled tools. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.