OPTIMIZATION OF CUTTING CONDITIONS IN DRILLING OPERATIONS WITH PLANE RAKE FACED TWIST DRILLS

Abstract

Optimization analyses and strategies for drilling operations on CNC machine tools with plane rake faced (PRF) twist drills are presented using a deterministic optimization approach. The optimization is based on criteria typified by maximum production rate while allowing for a range of practical constraints. The optimization analyses result in a deeper understanding of the effect of the constraints and a clearly defined optimization strategy that guarantees the global optimum solution. A numerical study is finally carried out to assess the optimization model and demonstrate the economic benefits of using this model over handbook recommendations in selecting the drilling parameters.

Keywords:

• cutting conditions
• drilling
• drills
• machining
• optimization
• process planning

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research was supported under Australian Research Council's Discovery Projects funding scheme (project number DP0451081). The authors wish to thank late Professor E.J.A. Armarego for his initiative and contribution to the project.