Modeling and analysis for clearance machining process of end mills

Clearance of end mills has great impact on the performance of milling, and therefore a high demand for its machining theory and process is put forward. Based on the analysis of practical machining process, enveloping theory, principles of spatial geometry are introduced to establish the clearances processing model, as well as considering the geometries, orientations, and locations of wheels used to machine the clearances with convex, eccentric, or elliptic shapes. Accordingly, limitations of wheel geometry and location to machine a desired clearance are discussed. A commercial computer aided design system with API function programming is used to visualize the machining process. The solid model is finally obtained.