Low capacity dynamometer was designed to measure low level cutting force in low speed orthogonal micromachining process. This design is based on a design in which the load bearing section has its stiffness reduced by holes. The holes are positioned to enable strain gages to record the highest local strains to maximize sensitivity and to minimize cross sensitivity.
Then, this dynamometer was used to measure cutting force. In this study, the effect of several cutting parameters, i.e., tool rake angle, depth of cut, cutting speed and workpiece material, to cutting force variation in low speed cutting process was investigated. In this process chips were collected to be observed later in SEM. Aluminum alloy was selected because of its ability to develop various types of chip according to cutting conditions. Relation between cutting force variation and chip shearing, and cutting surface roughness additionally.
