Response surface methodology-based approach to CNC drilling operations

Drilling operation is fundamental in the manufacturing industry to drill holes especially in sheet metal parts. This paper presents a mathematical model for correlating the interactions of some drilling control parameters such as speed, feed rate and drill diameter and their effects on some responses such as axial force and torque acting on the cutting tool during drilling by means of response surface methodology. For this exercise, a three-level full factorial design was chosen for experimentation using a PC-based computer numerically controlled drilling machine built in-house. The significance of the mathematical model developed was ascertained using Microsoft Excel^® regression analysis module. The results obtained show that the mathematical model is useful not only for predicting optimum process parameters for achieving the desired quality but for process optimization. Using the optimal combination of these parameters is useful in minimizing the axial force and torque of drilling operations; by extension, other drilling parameters such as cutting pressure, material removal rate, and power could be optimized since they depend on the combination of drilling parameters which affect the axial force and torque.