Parameters Optimization for Machining Optical Parts of Difficult-To-cut Materials by Genetic Algorithm

In this paper, three-dimensional (3D) elliptical vibration cutting (EVC) method is presented to fabricate optical parts of difficult-to-cut materials, which vibrates the diamond tool at a 3D ellipse trajectory driven by the nonresonant principle. The surface quality of the workpiece is determined by the elliptical motion parameters of the cutting tool. So this paper adopts genetic algorithm (GA) to optimize ellipse parameters to get better surface quality. An optimization model is established to minimize the surface roughness of the workpiece. And the validity of the proposed approach is verified by a numerical example. This research can direct designers to choose the optimum ellipse parameters to machine optical parts in the cutting experiments.