Influence of the Trochoidal Tool Path Generation Method on the Milling Process Efficiency

The article presents a comparison of three trochoidal paths: written by G-Code, generated using the overlays from the machine level, and generated using the CAD/CAM environment. The parameters determining the effectiveness of the process were: maximum achievable feed speed, surface roughness and waviness, cutting forces and cutting temperature when milling NC6 steel (50HRC) using a 10 mm cutter dimeter. The main measurement results include: an increase in the maximum feed speed value by almost 35% when using the A and C paths compared to the type B path and nearly a double increase in surface roughness when using the path generated using the CAD/CAM environment compared to the B path. The most important conclusions was that it is not always possible to machine with the recommended parameters by the tool manufacturer, especially when machining narrow grooves. It was proven that that the use of paths with the displacement described by arcs and straight lines as a trochoidal step over reduces the possibility of milling at high feed rate