Relationship between Flow Field of Cutting Edge and Chip Dispersal during CFRP Drilling

Abstract

Recently, the use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) has been picking up in aerospace and automotive industries. However, machining of CFRP produces fine cutting chips, which disperse in the machining environment and can be hazardous to workers and machine tools. Therefore, a cutting-chip disposal technology is required to address this problem. This study investigated the chip dispersal behavior during the drilling of CFRP to identify the factors that affect the dispersal of cutting chips. The focus of this study was the airflow field generated by drill rotation. Therefore, a simulation analysis for around the drill edge was used. The results of the drill edge simulation and chip discharge behavior during CFRP drilling were validated experimentally. The results suggested that the airflow field around the drill edge caused by drill rotation did not significantly affected chip dispersal.