Modeling and optimization of face milling process parameters for AISI 4140 steel

Abstract

In this study, the effect of cutting parameters such as the depth of cut, feed rate, cutting speed and the number of inserts on surface roughness were investigated in the milling of the AISI 4140 steel. The optimal control factors for surface quality were detected by using the Taguchi technique. Experimental trials were designed according to the Taguchi L18 (21x33) orthogonal array. The statistical effects of control factors on surface roughness have been established by using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Optimal cutting parameters were obtained by using the S/N ratio values. The ANOVA results showed that the effective factors were the number of inserts and the feed rate on surface roughness. However, the depth of cut and the cutting speed showed an insignificant effect. Additionally, the First-order and Second-order regression analysis were conducted to estimate the performance characteristics of the experiment. The acquired regression equation results matched with the surface roughness measurement results. The optimal performance characteristics were obtained as a 0.5 mm depth of cut, 0.08 mm/rev feed rate, 325 m/min cutting speed and 1 number of inserts by using the Taguchi method. Additionally, the confirmation test results indicated that the Taguchi method was very prosperous in the optimization of the machining parameters to obtain the minimum surface roughness in the milling of the AISI 4140 steel.