The effect of alternative cutter paths on flatness deviations in the face milling of aluminum plate parts

In this paper the relationships between the alternative machining paths and flatness deviations of the aluminum plate part, were presented. The flatness tolerance of the main surface of the plate part has crucial meaning due to the assembly requirement of piezoelectric elements on the radiator. The aluminum bodies under investigation are the base part of the radiators with crimped feathers for the train industry. The surface of the aluminum plate part was milled using three different milling strategies: along of longer or shorter side of workpiece and at an angle of 45°. The aluminum bodies were machined on milling centre ecoMILL 70 DMG MORI. The flatness deviation measurements were carried out on the Coordinated Measuring Machine Altera 7.5.5 Nikon Metrology NV. These measurements were made during the manufacturing process of the radiator, namely after machining, however, before the process crimping of feathers. The results that were obtained enables the validation of assumed milling path strategies in connection of the subsequent machining and assembly processes.