Mechanics of routing medium density fiberboard.

The mechanics of milling medium density fiberboard (MDF) are studied. The cutting forces are modeled as a function of tool geometry, cutting conditions, and cutting constants of MDF. It is shown that the cutting constants evaluated from orthogonal cutting tests are similar to those obtained from the less practical mechanistic calibration via milling tests. Cylindrical, helical ball-ended and conical cutters are used in milling MDF. Using an advanced milling process simulation program, the proposed model is shown to predict the cutting forces in milling MDF very accurately regardless of the complexity in cutter geometry.