An experimental analysis of energy consumption in milling strategies

Abstract

Pocket milling operation is one of the widely used milling operations. CAM packages offer different tool path strategies to execute a machining operation. In the presented work zigzag, constant overlap spiral, parallel spiral and oneway tool path strategies were compared in terms of power and energy consumption for pocket milling of Al 6061 aluminum alloy. All pocketing operations were conducted using 8 mm diameter High Speed Steel (HSS) end milling cutters. Energy utilization was analysed for all tool path strategies. This work aims to develop better understanding towards sustainability concept in core machining phase.