Comparative study on cutting performance of different micro-texturing milling tools for preparing the L-PBF-formed TC4 workpieces

Cutting tests were performed on L-PBF-formed TC4 workpieces using different dry-cutting tools and MQL tools. The three aspects of tool wear pattern, cutting force, and surface quality of the workpiece after machining were systematically analyzed and studied for the test results obtained. Changing the micro-texture pattern on the tool effectively reduces the cutting force during milling. With the dry-cutting process, the cutting forces generated by the bionic elliptical micro-texture tool were 44 % lower than those generated by the Original tool. Milling the TC4 surface with the bionic elliptical micro-texture tool under the MQL process produced lower cutting forces of only 8.9 N, 67 % lower than the Original tool. To a certain extent, using bionic elliptical micro-texture tools protects the integrity of the workpiece, and the service life of tool is extended.