Models for evaluating the revolving cutter profile of circular-arc end mills

This paper presents models for defining the minimum circumscribed cylinder (MCC) of the cutter shank, the minimum circumscribed circular-arc-type revolving surface (MCCRS) and the minimum circumscribed corner arc revolving surface (MCCARS) with a spiral groove. A systematic modeling procedure is presented for the assessment of the contour quality of the circular-arc end milling (CAEM) cutters with a cylindrical shank. The axis of the MCC of the cylindrical shank of a revolving cutter with a circular-arc generator curve and a corner radius is taken as the datum line. The profile tolerances and errors are estimated. The presented models are all illustrated and verified by example. This approach can be generalized to a cutter with more than two circular arcs in its shape profile. The paper provides a valuable reference for the evaluation of the actual contour quality of this type of revolving cutter.