3D Finite Element Assisted Numerical Simulation of Orbital Drilling Process of Ti6Al4V
Abstract Drilling is one of most executed manufacturing operations to assist the assembling of different engineering components. In orbital drilling process, a milling tool is rotating along its own axis in combination with the spiral rotational movement. The rotation of tool about its own axis is with high rotational speed, but the spiral movement of tool is at low rotational speed. These rotational movements generate a hollow geometry when moved in combination. Orbital drilling process is emerging as a viable drilling process when burr formation has to be reduced from the metallic workpiece. It is gaining more popularity in the aerospace industry due to its ability to machine holes in difficult to cut alloys, composites and composite stacks. Major advantages of orbital drilling are linked with efficient chip evacuation, reduction in heat build-up and low thrust forces due to its intermittent cutting nature. The cutting forces generated during the process can be taken as a significant output parameter that play a vital role towards the overall performance of the cutting process. Controlling the cutting forces under threshold value can improve the overall machining efficiency by limiting associated deflections, tool wear and energy consumption. The current paper aims to study the orbital drilling process using finite element (FE) assisted numerical methodology. The study will utilize different orbital drilling parameters such as spindle speed, orbit speed and axial feed rate, and explore their influence on the over all machining process.