Specific machining forces and resultant force vectors for machining of reinforced plastics

When machining fiber reinforced plastics, the machining forces may induce workpiece damage if they exceed the workpiece's anisotropic strength values. Knowledge of the resultant force vectors is therefore important to allow optimization of tool geometry and machining strategy. This article deals with experimentally obtained machining forces on short glass fiber reinforced polyester. Specific cutting, passive and axial forces have been determined for varied parameters of cutting velocity, cutting depth, cutting edge rounding and tool inclination. Generic multivariate regression models have been calculated, which, implemented in a kinematic simulation, allow calculation of machining forces (and direction) for arbitrary milling operations.