Investigation of ultrasonic elliptical vibration milling of thin-walled titanium alloy parts

An ultrasonic elliptical vibration milling (UEVM) method is proposed for low precision and large cutting force in milling of thin-walled titanium alloy part. The equation set of ultrasonic vibration milling tool tip trajectory is given. The linear speed characters of tool nose and the mechanism of cutting force reduction are analyzed. In the experiment of comparing milling with regular milling (RM) with an ultrasonic elliptical vibration milling cutter shank system which is self-developed, it is proved that the ultrasonic elliptical vibration milling has outstanding characteristics in reducing the cutting force, restraining tool offset and improving the precision. The possible reasons causing these characters are also given. Because of its excellent features, the ultrasonic elliptical vibration milling could be a new way to solve the problem in milling thin-walled titanium alloy part.