RESEARCH REGARDING MODELING MACHINABILITY BY MILLING OF POLYMERIC COMPOSITE SANDWICH PRODUCTS

Abstract

: Milling is a machining operation most frequently involved in manufacturing parts of polymeric composites sandwich products. Due to their multi-component structure and to the special character of the individual components of polymeric composites sandwich products, the machining by milling of this has differences from those imposed by metal working operations. It is essential to ensure that the tool conditions selected are suitable for the material in order that machining result is satisfactory. Polymeric composites sandwich products are more difficult to machine than metals products, mainly because they are anisotropic, non-homogenous and they have three types of materials (fiber glass for the facesheets, an epoxy resin and a polyester core between the two faces) and these materials are put together inside the same product. During milling process, defects are introduced into the work piece and tools wear rapidly. Milling of polymeric composite sandwich products can be used with proper tool design and operation conditions. The objective of this paper is to investigate the factors with control machining, surface quality and tool wear in order to have optimal machining parameters and obtaining processed surfaces with superior quality and precision.