Chatter suppression in micro-milling using shank-mounted Two-DOF tuned mass damper

The tuned mass damper (TMD) has been used in machining processes for reducing forced vibration, suppressing chatter, and improving machined surface quality. In micro-milling process, the tiny size of the cutting tool-tip and the high rotating speed bring challenges in implementing the TMD. Besides, the TMD needs to have two degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) for reducing vibrations of micro-mill in two orthogonal directions. This paper presents the chatter suppression for micro-milling by attaching a two-DOF TMD to the tool shank and rotates with the cutting tool. The frequency response function (FRF) at the tip of the micro-mill clamped by an aerostatic spindle is predicted using receptance coupling analysis. A two-DOF TMD is designed via graphical approach based on the FRF result at the tool-tip. The natural frequencies and damping ratio of the TMD are optimized under different spindle speeds in order to enhance the cutting stability. The chatter stability of micro-milling is predicted considering the gyroscopic and centrifugal effects of the TMD structure. Modal tests and micro-milling experiments are conducted to validate the effect of the TMD on chatter stability. The results show that the TMD is able to improve the critical depth of cut by 13 folds, and satisfy the compact design requirement for micro-milling.