Micromilling in Minimum Quantity Lubrication

This study investigates micromilling of 316 L stainless steel under minimum quantity lubrication. A laser-based technique was developed to measure spindle runout and assist tool setting for fragile micro cutting tools. Thresholds were established to help select cutting parameters and avoid catastrophic tool failure. Computational fluid dynamics was used to simulate flow of lubricant microdroplets around a rotating tool. When properly applied to wet the tool and workpiece, minimum quality lubrication reduces the build up edge on a cutting tool and increases the tool life up to 100 times compared to dry micromilling of 316L and stainless steel.