Simulated Study of the Machinability of the Nomex Honeycomb Structure

Abstract

The Nomex honeycomb core has been widely used in many industrial fields, especially the aircraft and aerospace industries, due to its high strength and stiffness to heaviness ratio. Machining of the Nomex honeycomb structure is usually associated with tearing of the walls, deformations of the cells and the appearance of burrs. Therefore, milling of the Nomex honeycomb structure represents an industrial hurdle challenge for scientists and researchers about the quality of the machined surface and the integrity of the cutting tool. In response to this problem, we have developed a three-dimensional numerical model of finite elements based on the real conditions of experimental work by means of the analysis software Abaqus. Based on the developed numerical model, an experimental validation was performed by comparing the quality of the surface and the adhesive wear of the cutting tool determined from the numerical simulation and that established by the experiment. In addition, the effect of geometric parameters in terms of wedge angle and cutting tool diameter on material accumulation, chip size, generated surface and cutting forces was analyzed. The results of the quantitative analysis prove that the choice of cutting conditions and cutting tool geometry in terms of favorable rake angle and tool diameter improves the surface quality of the generated part and optimizes the integrity of the cutting tool.