Milling of Micro Grooves on Glass Cylinder Surfaces

Abstract

Micro milling is presented to machine micro grooves on a glass cylinder surface in a depth of cut of more than 10 µm. The milling tool is inclined in the cutter feed direction to finish fine surfaces in the operation. The effect of tool inclination on the cutting process during a rotation of the cutter is discussed in an analytical model. A 4-axis machine tool is developed to machine the micro grooves using the rotational and the linear motions. The cutting position on the cylinder surface is controlled to incline the milling tool in the cutting direction. Machining processes with a linear control in the longitudinal direction, with a rotational control of the workpiece, and with a simultaneous control of those motions are verified on the machine developed. Adjustment of workpiece alignment and pre-finishing are required for a high machining accuracy in the cutting operation. A feed rate of less than 0.24 mm/min is required to finish crack-free surfaces in cutting of fused silica.