Investigation of Cutting Force in Longitudinal-Torsional Ultrasonic-Assisted Milling of Ti-6Al-4V

In this study, we propose a longitudinal-torsion ultrasonic-assisted milling (LTUM) machining method for difficult-to-cut materials—such as titanium alloy—in order to realize anti-fatigue manufacturing. In addition, a theoretical prediction model of cutting force is established. To achieve this, we used the cutting edge trajectory of LTUM to reveal the difference in trajectory between LTUM and traditional milling (TM). Then, an undeformed chip thickness (UCT) model of LTUM was constructed. From this, the cutting force model was able to be established. A series of experiments were subsequently carried out to verify this LTUM cutting force model. Based on the established model, the influence of several parameters on cutting force was analyzed. The results showed that the established theoretical model of cutting force was in agreement with the experimental results, and that, compared to TM, the cutting force was lower in LTUM. Specifically, the cutting force in the feed direction, Fx, decreased by 24.8%, while the cutting force in the width of cut direction Fy, decreased by 29.9%.