Numerical Validation of Drilling of Al6061-T6 with Experimental Data

Abstract Drilling is a cutting process that uses a drill bit to cut a circular profile in workpiece. Forces acting on the drill bit reduce its life expectance. Analysis of forces acting on the drill bit during drilling prevents the tool from failing prematurely because of wear and excess feed rate. Excess feed rate can induce excessive internal stress on both the tool and workpiece. This paper aims to study the effects of reaction force acting on a drill bit during drilling of Al6061-T6. A numerical finite element simulation study is performed with commercially available software called Abaqus. Simulation results depend on the right choice of material property such as Johnson–Cook material property and Johnson–Cook damage property. Validation of material property is achieved by comparison of experimental results with simulative results. Reaction force acting against the drill bit during drilling is compared.