Optimisation of Spindle Speed and Feed Rate for Drilling of Al-SiCp Metal Matrix Composites using ANOVA and Genetic Algorithm

This paper presents the influence of the spindle speed and feed rate of the drilling on machinability of metal matrix composites (MMC) manufactured using stir casting technique. The drilling of MMC is carried out using Ti-Al-N coated and uncoated solid carbide drills. Analysis of variance technique is used to find the percentage of contribution for each drilling parameters and then regression equations were developed to find the thrust force and torque. The drilling parameters were also optimized using Genetic Algorithm. For the optimum values of spindle speed and feed rate, the tool life in terms of tool wear and number of holes drilled was compared for the cases of coated and uncoated drills. From the analysis, it was inferred that feed rate is the significant factor affecting thrust force and torque. Coated solid carbide drill performed than better than the uncoated carbide drill.