Optimization of the rough cutting factors of impeller with five-axis machine using response surface methodology

Turbo-machinery gradually has expanded its business into the automotive and aircraft industries. A core part of turbo-machinery is the impeller which can lead to manufacturing problems because it has twisted surfaces. Therefore, impeller machining requires five-axis machining technology and expert knowledge. Five-axis machining has the advantages of being able to select a variety of tool axis in the machining and remove uncut region which are impossible in the three-axis machining, which could obtain high productivity and good surface quality. Rough cutting is one very important operation as it affects productivity in the impeller machining and it is necessary to determine cutting strategies and select optimal cutting condition. This paper proposes a statistical method to optimize the rough cutting parameters in impeller machining by response surface methodology and efficient strategy to divide cutting region. Firstly, the rough operation was divided into three steps to remove volume from inducer to exducer and two steps were also added to remove the fillets between blade surfaces and hub surfaces. These machining strategies are selected as the qualitative factors when the response surface method is used. Secondly, cutting time was set as the response factor for productivity, and step-down, step over, and feed rate were determined as independent factors. Finally, the response surface model was estimated by a single surface in order to predict rough cutting time and the optimum cutting conditions were searched by the estimated model.