Abstract: To investigate the distribution of cutting temperature in high speed milling for aerospace aluminum alloy 7050-T7451. The contact temperature of work piece with tool in high speed milling process of aerospace aluminum alloy 7050-T7451 is simulated based on the analysis and simplification of the heat transfer model for the milling process with helical tool. The key techniques are studied, which include the calculation of heat source strength and application of heat load. The milling experiment is carried out in the same cutting conditions. The simulation results agree well with the experiment results. It shows that the established cutting temperature model can be used to simulate the distribution of work piece temperature field accurately in high speed milling.

Key words: Aluminum alloy, Cutting temperature, Finite element simulation