Evaluation of Superficial and Dimensional Quality Features in Metallic Micro-Channels Manufactured by Micro-End-Milling

Materials

Karla P. Monroy-Vázquez²  Aldo Attanasio¹  Elisabetta Ceretti¹  Hຜtor R. Siller²  Nicolás J. Hendrichs-Troeglen² 

[1] Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze, Brescia 38-25123, Italy; E-Mails:;Tecnológico de Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur, Monterrey, NL 64849, Mexico; E-Mails:

关键词: micro-milling;    micro-channels;    fuel cells;    heat exchangers;    micro-fluidic devices;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ma6041434

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Miniaturization encourages the development of new manufacturing processes capable of fabricating features, like micro-channels, in order to use them for different applications, such as in fuel cells, heat exchangers, microfluidic devices and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). Many studies have been conducted on heat and fluid transfer in micro-channels, and they appeared significantly deviated from conventional theory, due to measurement errors and fabrication methods. The present research, in order to deal with this opportunity, is focused on a set of experiments in the micro-milling of channels made of aluminum, titanium alloys and stainless steel, varying parameters, such as spindle speed, depth of cut per pass (a_p), channel depth (d), feed per tooth (f_z) and coolant application. The experimental results were analyzed in terms of dimensional error, channel profile shape deviation from rectangular and surface quality (burr and roughness). The micro-milling process was capable of offering quality features required on the micro-channeled devices. Critical phenomena, like run-out, ploughing, minimum chip thickness and tool wear, were encountered as an explanation for the deviations in shape and for the surface quality of the micro-channels. The application of coolant and a low depth of cut per pass were significant to obtain better superficial quality features and a smaller dimensional error. In conclusion, the integration of superficial and geometrical features on the study of the quality of micro-channeled devices made of different metallic materials contributes to the understanding of the impact of calibrated cutting conditions in MEMS applications.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.