Spindle and cutting tools for internal suction of chip and dust in CFRP trimming

Official URL: https://coms.events/UTIS2021/data/abstracts/en/abstract_0009.html

Chip and dust removal during the trimming of carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) parts is still an important challenge to overcome by the manufacturing industry to protect operators from the health hazards associated to CFRP dust and chips. Therefore, novel PCD cutting tools and a special spindle with internal suction capability have been designed and developed, providing an effective chip and dust removal from the working area during robotic trimming. Nevertheless, to guarantee a totally clean machining process not only conventional process aspects such as part surface quality, tool wear and productivity must be considered, but also the effectiveness of the chip and dust suction must be studied. Thereby, experimental process optimization has been carried out, analysing the effect of different process conditions on suction rate and surface integrity. Finally, optimum cutting conditions are identified obtaining a 98.4% suction rate resulting in a safe CFRP machining process.