Comparison of Theoretical and Real Surface Roughness in Case of Ball-End Milling

Abstract

In case of free form surface milling the quality of the manufacturing is described by the accuracy of the shape and the surface roughness. The 3D surface finishing milling by ball-end milling cutter is one of the most often used machining technologies. In case of ball-end milling the surface roughness can be described theoretically based on the tool diameter and the density of the tool path, but the experience shows than other parameters have effect on the surface roughness. In the article the effect of the different cutting parameters, like feed (fz), depth of cut (ap) and width of cut (ae), is presented in case of plane surface, and the surface roughness is compared with the theoretical roughness, and an estimation method is presented.