Effect of minimum quantity lubrication on energy consumption in multi-axis milling of LY12 aluminum alloy

Abstract The impact of milling parameters on energy consumption was investigated during blade machining by a four-axis milling machine under different conditions. LY12 aluminum alloy was used as a workpiece, and the single-factor experiments of different milling parameters (milling speed, feed rate, milling depth, and milling width) under minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) were carried out in the four-axis vertical machining center, as well as a comparison experiment with dry milling. The milling power was recorded by the three-phase electrical parameter tester, and the specific power was calculated. The overall milling power shows an upward trend with the increase of each milling parameter, while the specific power shows a downward trend under MQL and dry milling. MQL can effectively reduce milling energy consumption. The milling power and specific power decrease with the increase of oil-air flow rate and oil feeding frequency. When the oil supply frequency is 20 cy/min and the oil-air flow rate is 400 ml/min, the lubrication effect is relatively good.