Micro-sized applications are gaining more and more relevance for NiTi-based shape memory alloys (SMA). Different types of micro-machining offer unique possibilities for the manufacturing of NiTi components. The advantage of machining is the low thermal influence on the workpiece. This is important, because the phase transformation temperatures of NiTi SMAs can be changed and the components may need extensive post manufacturing. The article offers a simulation-based approach to optimize five-axis micro-milling processes with respect to the special material properties of NiTi SMA. Especially, the influence of the various tool inclination angles is considered for introducing an intelligent tool inclination optimization algorithm. Furthermore, aspects of micro deep-hole drilling of SMAs are discussed. Tools with diameters as small as 0.5 mm are used. The possible length-to-diameter ratio reaches up to 50. This process offers new possibilities in the manufacturing of microstents. The study concentrates on the influence of the cutting speed, the feed and the tool design on the tool wear and the quality of the drilled holes.

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The BTA (Boring and Trepanning Association) deep hole drilling process is commonly used to machine boreholes with a large drilling depth-to-diameter ratio (l/D) and outstanding workpiece quality. The asymmetric tool design leads to a nonzero radial component of the cutting force and the passive force, which are conducted to the borehole wall by so-called guide pads. These guide pads smooth the borehole wall by a forming process and improve the surface quality. Processes, that machine materials with a high adhesion tendency, such as high alloy stainless steel, suffer from poor surface quality in the borehole and the adhesion from the workpiece material on the guide pads. In this paper modified Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC) coated guide pads for BTA deep hole drilling tools are investigated. The scope of the experiments was the reduction of the adhesion by reducing the friction coefficient of the guide pads, as well as the improvement of the quality of the borehole wall.