Micromilling of NiTi Shape-Memory Alloys with Ball Nose Cutters

Biermann, D.^{1, a}; Kahleyß, F.^{1, b}; Surmann, T.^{1, c}

1)

Institute of Machining Technology, TU Dortmund University, Baroper Str. 301, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany

a) biermann@isf.de; b) kahleyss@isf.de; c) surmann@isf.de

Abstract

Micromilling of NiTi shape-memory alloys (SMA) places high demands on tools and machining processes. NiTi is classified as a difficult-to-cut material due to its special properties. A new approach to machine NiTi with higher process flexibility is the application of ball nose cutters in micromilling processes. The article presents the latest results of the simulation-based analysis of five-axis micromilling processes of NiTi SMA. The emphasis is placed on the influence of different tool inclinations, the range of applicable cutting speeds, and a comparison of different machining properties of martensitic and austenitic NiTi alloys. Furthermore, this simulation-based approach helps in exploring new possibilities to optimize the NC-code programming of milling.

Keywords

Five-axis machining, Micromilling, NiTi, Shape-memory alloys, Simulation

Publication

International Journal of Materials and Manufacturing Processes, 24 (2009) 12, pp. 1266-1273