Optimizing the High-Performance Milling of Thin Aluminum Alloy Plates Using the Taguchi Method

Most aerospace parts are thin walled and made of aluminum or titanium alloy that is machined to the required shape and dimensions. Deformation is a common issue. Although the reduced cutting forces used in high-speed milling generate low residual stress, the problem of deformation cannot be completely resolved. In this work, we emphasized that choosing the correct cutting parameters and machining techniques could increase the cutting performance and surface quality and reduce the deformation of thin plates. In this study, a part made of a thin 6061 aluminum alloy plate was machined by high-speed milling (HSM), and a Taguchi L16 orthogonal array was used to optimize the following parameters: linear velocity, feed per tooth, cutting depth, cutting width, and toolpath. The impact of cutting parameters on the degree of deformation, surface roughness, as well as the cutting force on the thin plate were all investigated. The results showed that the experimental parameters for the optimal degree of deformation were A1 (linear velocity 450 mm/min), B1 (feed per tooth 0.06 mm/tooth), C1 (cutting depth 0.3 mm), D4 (cutting width 70%), and E4 (rough zigzag). Feed per tooth was the most significant control factor, with a contribution as high as 63.5%. It should also be mentioned that, according to the factor response of deformation, there was a lower value of feed per tooth and less deformation. Furthermore, the feed per tooth and the cutting depth decreased and the surface roughness increased. The cutting force rose or fell with an increase or decrease of cutting depth.