A deduced cutting force prediction model for circular end milling process is presented in this paper. Traditional researches on cutting force model usually focus on linear milling process which does not meet other cutting conditions, especially for circular milling process. This paper presents an improved cutting force model for circular end milling process based on the typical linear milling force model. The curvature effects of tool path on chip thickness as well as entry and exit angles are analyzed, and the cutting force model of linear milling process is then corrected to fit circular end milling processes. Instantaneous cutting forces during circular end milling process are predicted according to the proposed model. The deduced cutting force model can be used for both linear and circular end milling processes. Finally, circular end milling experiments with constant and variable radial depth were carried out to verify the availability of the proposed method. Experiment results show that measured results and simulated results corresponds well with each other.
