Face milling and turning simulation with the finite element method

The paper describes a new simulation tool that gives the machined surface error in face milling and turning. The form error component due to the workpiece flexibility is computed using Samcef finite element code. The finite element analyses are very efficient on industrial applications thanks to the superelement method. Results are obtained in a short time which makes possible a wide range of simulations such as finding the best tool trajectory, testing several tools and cutting conditions and choosing the most suited fixture design.