Optimal drilling of particulate metal matrix composites based on experimental and numerical procedures

An experimental and numerical study of the evolution of cutting forces, too l wear and surface finish, measured when drilling the particulate metal mat rix composite A356/20/SiCp-T6 is presented. The experimental work was devel oped through the continuous measurement of the cutting forces with an appro priate piezoelectric dynamometer. The wear type was identified and its evol ution with cutting time was measured. Drills with polycrystalline diamond w ere tested. The surface finish of the holes was evaluated with a profilomet er. Using the experimental results, a numerical search of optimal drilling cond itions was performed. Since there are contradictory objectives, such as max imisation of tool life and minimisation of tool wear, the concept of the Pa reto optimum solution is considered in the optimisation procedure. An evolu tion strategy is adopted to obtain the optimal solution for cutting speed, feed rate and tool life prediction with industrial interest. (C) 2000 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.