Analytical Stability Prediction and Design of Variable Pitch Cutters

Abstract

An analytical prediction of stability lobes for milling cutters with variable pitch angles is presented. The method requires cutting constants, number of teeth, and transfer function of cutter mounted on the machine tool as inputs to a chatter stability expression. The stability is formulated by transforming time varying directional cutting constants into time invariant constants. Constant regenerative time delay in uniform cutters is transformed into nonuniform multiple regenerative time delay for variable pitch cutters. The chatter free axial depth of cut is solved from the eigenvalues of stability expression, whereas the spindle speed is identified from regenerative phase delays. The proposed technique has been verified with extensive cutting tests and time domain simulations. The practical use of the analytical solution is demonstrated by an optimal tooth spacing design application which increases the chatter free depth of cuts significantly.