Analysis of burr formation by image processing in micro-milling of Ti

This paper presents experimental investigation on micro-milling of Ti c.p grade 2 using tungsten carbide micro-end mills with a diameter of 200 µm. Cutting speed, feed per tooth and depth values used were determined by previous works and experimentally through pilot testing. An experiment based on Taguchi method was applied with two factors and three levels. The evaluated parameters were spindle speed (krpm) and feed per tooth (µm/tooth) milling grooves on Ti. An image processing algorithm was developed for the measurement of burr formation, 2298 Rafael Tuirán et al. the values from this method were compared with the direct measurement made with optical microscopy and finally, a relation between the cutting parameters and the burr formation for both methods was established, thus obtaining the operation zone for a desired burr. The proposed burr indicator, obtained through the image processing algorithm, reveals some burr conditions that are ignored by the regular measurement of burr (top burr longitude).