Abstract:

The micro-scale machining characteristics of a non-ferrous structural alloy aluminum 7050-T7451 were investigated through a series of orthogonal cutting experiments. A carbide tool was used and the effect of cutting edge radius was considered. The workpiece was prepared as  thin wafers so that  orthogonal turning experiments could be conducted on the NC milling center. Different cutting speeds and various depths of cut were adopted in the single factor cutting experiments.  Chips under different cutting parameters were collected for the investigation of  chip geometry. The effect of cutting parameters and cutting edge radius on chip thickness and curls were investigated. The cutting forces were measured with the  Kistler 9257B dynamometer. The characteristic of cutting forces and thrust forces were analyzed via considering the effect of cutting edge radius and the effects of cutting speed and depth of cut on cutting forces and size effect in orthogonal micro-scale cutting of Al 7075-T7451 were presented.
 

Key words: micro cutting, chip morphology, cutting forces, size effect