Ball socket machining method

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of hydraulic part machining, and discloses a ball socket machining method which comprises the following steps: S1, drilling a lower cutter hole in the center position of a to-be-machined ball socket; s2, a rough machining end mill is used for cutting along the cutting hole, the rough machining end mill is used for conducting layered milling on the preset arc surface of the ball socket to form a ball socket rough blank, and machining allowance is reserved for subsequent machining; s3, a semi-finish machining ball-end milling cutter is used for conducting semi-finish machining along the arc face of the ball socket rough blank, and finish machining allowance is reserved; s4, a finish machining ball-end milling cutter is used for finish machining along the arc face of the ball socket subjected to semi-finish machining till the final size requirement of the ball socket is met; according to the machining method recorded in the document, the tool path is redesigned, the workpiece can be machined through a universal tool, and therefore the problems that in the prior art, tools depend on customization, and cutting design is unreasonable are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hydraulic parts processing technology, and in particular to a method for processing ball sockets. Background Technology

[0002] As a common key functional component in hydraulic products, the dimensional accuracy, contour, and surface roughness of the ball socket directly affect the sealing performance and service life of the product.

[0003] Currently, the industry generally uses a traditional one-piece forming process with custom-made forming tools for machining ball sockets. However, this method has a series of inherent defects: First, the forming tool must be customized according to the specific size and contour of the ball socket. Not only is the tool itself expensive, but the cycle from design and manufacturing to delivery is also long, making it unsuitable for rapid product development and small-batch, multi-variety production needs. Second, during machining, the entire arc-shaped cutting edge of the forming tool participates in cutting simultaneously, resulting in high cutting force and concentrated cutting heat. This easily causes vibration marks and tool deflection on the machined surface, seriously affecting the surface quality and shape accuracy of the ball socket. Furthermore, the arc radius of the forming tool is fixed. Once wear causes dimensional deviations, it cannot be compensated for by modifying program parameters, and the entire tool must be scrapped and replaced with a new one. These problems not only increase the tool cost per unit but also cause a large amount of resource waste.

[0004] In summary, the cutting tools used in existing machining methods are custom-made and have unreasonable cutting designs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a ball-and-socket machining method that solves the problems of tool dependence and unreasonable cutting design in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: In a first aspect, the present invention discloses a method for processing a ball socket, comprising the following steps: S1, Drill a cutting hole at the center of the fountain to be formed; S2, using a roughing end mill, the end mill cuts along the lower cutter hole. The roughing end mill performs layer milling with the target ball-and-socket contour of the ball-and-socket to form a ball-and-socket blank, and reserves machining allowance for subsequent machining. S3, using a semi-finishing ball end mill, perform semi-finishing along the arc surface of the ball socket blank, and leave a finishing allowance; S4. Using a finishing ball end mill, finish the ball socket along the arc surface after the semi-finished process until the final size requirement of the ball socket is met.

[0007] As an optional option, in step S2, the tool path (3) of each layer of the layer milling is an Archimedean spiral that gradually expands outward from the center.

[0008] As an optional solution, in step S2, the tool path of the Archimedes spiral is generated and executed by CNC macro programming.

[0009] As an optional solution, in step S3, the semi-finished ball end mill performs machining along the arc surface of the ball socket in the depth direction using a helical feed method.

[0010] As an optional solution, in step S4, the finishing ball end mill performs machining along the arc surface of the ball socket in the depth direction using a helical feed method.

[0011] As an optional solution, the ball end radius of the semi-finishing ball end mill and the finishing ball end mill is equal to the design arc radius of the ball socket.

[0012] As an optional option, the roughing end mill is a flat-bottom end mill, and the semi-finishing ball end mill and the finishing ball end mill are both standard-specification ball end mills.

[0013] Alternatively, the method can be implemented on a CNC machining center.

[0014] The present invention has the following unexpected beneficial effects: The ball-and-socket machining method provided by this invention employs a distributed machining strategy and a specific toolpath planning method. First, a tool hole is drilled at the center of the ball-and-socket to be machined. Then, a milling cutter is used to quickly remove most of the material through layered milling, forming a uniform allowance. Subsequently, a ball end mill is used for semi-finishing and finishing, finally forming the ball-and-socket efficiently and precisely. This machining method uses general-purpose tools, eliminating the need for specific customization for particular ball-and-socket designs. Furthermore, this method significantly improves machining quality and consistency. In the roughing stage, an Archimedean spiral toolpath is used, which has a simple path, fewer approach and retraction points, high machining efficiency, and significantly extended tool life. In addition, the toolpath parameters are adjusted using a CNC macro program, making the adjusted machining parameters easier to operate, and significantly reducing the data length compared to before adjustment, thus saving a large amount of machine tool memory space. In summary, the ball-and-socket machining method provided by this invention solves the problems of tool dependency and unreasonable cutting design in existing technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a process flow diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an overall schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the lower cutting hole according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the tool path at a first angle according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the tool path at the second angle according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the ball socket during semi-finishing according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the ball socket during the finishing process according to an embodiment of the present invention; In the diagram, 1 is the ball socket; 2 is the lower tool hole; and 3 is the tool path. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0017] In the field of machining, the processing of ball sockets has always faced problems such as reliance on custom-made tools and unreasonable cutting path design. This invention provides a new method for machining ball sockets, which solves the above problems by optimizing the tool path and using general-purpose tools.

[0018] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figures 1 to 7 A detailed description of a specific embodiment of the ball-and-socket processing method of the present invention is provided.

[0019] See Figure 1 As shown, the ball socket processing method provided in this application includes the following steps: S1. Drilling the lower hole: See Figure 3 As shown, a cutting hole 2 is drilled on the workpiece corresponding to the center of the ball socket 1. The diameter of the cutting hole (2) is 15mm and the depth is 24mm. This step provides a precise position for the subsequent roughing end mill to enter the workpiece.

[0020] S2. Rough milling: Using a roughing flat end mill with a diameter of 12mm, the cutter is inserted along the lower cutter hole 2. The roughing flat end mill performs layer milling on the target ball-and-socket contour of the ball-and-socket 1 to form a ball-and-socket rough blank.

[0021] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, each toolpath 3 adopts an Archimedean spiral shape that gradually expands outward from the center. This design not only improves cutting efficiency but also ensures surface quality. Furthermore, the toolpaths in this step are implemented using CNC macro programming, ensuring machining accuracy and reserving sufficient machining allowance for subsequent semi-finishing.

[0022] S3. Semi-finish milling: See Figure 6 As shown, a standard ball end mill with a radius of 6mm is used to semi-finish the arc surface of the ball-and-socket blank. During this process, the ball end mill gradually removes excess material along the contour of the ball and socket, while leaving an appropriate allowance for the final finishing.

[0023] S4. Finish milling: See Figure 7 As shown, the semi-finished ball end mill is used again to finish the ball socket using a standard ball end mill with a radius of 6mm until the design dimensions and surface roughness requirements of the ball socket are met. The main purpose of the finishing stage is to obtain a high-precision ball socket shape and a smooth surface quality. See [link to ball socket shape diagram] for the obtained ball socket shape. Figure 2 .

[0024] The ball end mill machining method provided by this invention improves the toolpath by using general-purpose end mills and ball end mills instead of the traditional custom-made tools, and achieves an efficient Archimedean spiral cutting path through macro program control. This method not only reduces production costs but also significantly improves machining efficiency and product quality, effectively solving the problems of tool dependency and unreasonable cutting design in existing technologies.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of this application, the method is implemented on a CNC machining center.

[0026] The CNC machining center features multi-axis linkage, a high-rigidity spindle, and a closed-loop feedback control system. It can precisely execute Archimedean spiral toolpaths generated by macro programs, ensuring a high degree of consistency between the roughing layered milling trajectory and the theoretical contour of the spherical surface. This effectively controls the uniformity of machining allowance distribution, laying a solid foundation for subsequent semi-finishing and finishing. Furthermore, all processes, including drilling, rough milling, semi-finishing, and finish milling, can be completed continuously on the same CNC machining center without multiple workpiece disassemblies or equipment changes. This avoids cumulative errors introduced by repeated positioning and significantly improves the dimensional accuracy, positional accuracy, and contour accuracy of the ball socket.

[0027] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for processing a ball socket, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1, Drill a cutting hole at the center of the fountain to be formed; S2, using a roughing end mill, the end mill cuts along the lower cutter hole. The roughing end mill performs layer milling with the target ball-and-socket contour of the ball-and-socket to form a ball-and-socket blank, and reserves machining allowance for subsequent machining. S3, using a semi-finishing ball end mill, perform semi-finishing along the arc surface of the ball socket blank, and leave a finishing allowance; S4. Using a finishing ball end mill, finish the ball socket along the arc surface after the semi-finished process until the final size requirement of the ball socket is met.

2. The ball-and-socket processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, the tool path (3) of each layer of the layer milling is an Archimedean spiral that gradually expands outward from the center.

3. The ball-and-socket processing method according to claim 2, characterized in that, In step S2, the tool path of the Archimedes spiral is generated and executed through CNC macro programming.

4. The ball-and-socket processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the semi-finishing ball end mill performs machining along the arc surface of the ball socket in the depth direction using a helical feed method.

5. The ball-and-socket processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S4, the finishing ball end mill performs machining along the arc surface of the ball socket in the depth direction using a helical feed method.

6. The ball-and-socket processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ball head radius of the semi-finishing ball end mill and the finishing ball end mill is equal to the design arc radius of the ball socket.

7. The ball-and-socket processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The roughing end mill is a flat-bottom end mill, and the semi-finishing ball end mill and the finishing ball end mill are both standard-specification ball end mills.

8. The method for processing a ball socket according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method is implemented on a CNC machining center.

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