An Expert Mill Cutter and Cutting Parameters Selection System incorporating a control strategy

This paper discusses the selection of tools and cutting parameters in milling operations. To carry out this research, an expert system has been developed based on numerical methods of performance evaluation. The knowledge base is given by limitations in process variables, which let us to define the allowable cutting parameter space. The mentioned limitations are instabilities due to tool-work-piece interaction, known as chatter vibration, the power available in the spindle motor and milling forces control restrictions. Then, a tool cost model is contrived. It is used to choose a suitable cutting tool, among a known set of candidate available cutters, and to obtain the appropriate cutting parameters, which are expert system outputs. Finally, the expert system can automatically provide other cutter and/or cutting parameters if process specifications change. An example is presented to illustrate the method.