ISO Grid 155 mm Howitzer
Abstract
The U.S. Army's Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway Township, New Jersey, was commissioned to reduce the weight of the 155mm howitzer. Their efforts included replacing an approximately 4-foot x 10-foot x 1-inch steel ISO grid support panel with one made of titanium 6AL-4V. Titanium weighs 45 percent less than steel, is stronger and more resilient, and doesn't rust. However, its unique properties also make it difficult to machine productively. ARDEC was spending excessive time milling a pattern of 2.25-inch-wide triangular pockets into the grid to further reduce its weight. ARDEC presented this problem to the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and requested their assistance. High chip loads are required to mill titanium productively. In light cuts, the alloy's resilience will cause a cutting tool to rub instead of cut, generating heat, high pressures, and short tool life. But heavy cuts require high torque and can also generate heat, so a balance of parameters is required. NCDMM's alliance partner, Kennametal Inc., recommended a combination of advanced tooling and manufacturing techniques to boost productivity. Solid-carbide center-cutting end mills were tested using trichoidal programming techniques. These machining methods employ radial movement of the cutter to maintain constant feed rates and keep the end mill continuously in the cut, maximizing milling efficiency.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 10, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA482025
Entities
Organizations
- National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining