A new non-traditional finishing process known as abrasive flow machining (AFM) is used to deburr, radius, polish and remove recast layer of components in a wide range of applications. The process is relatively new, although around 2000 machines are in use worldwide. Material is removed from the workpiece by flowing a semisolid visco-elastic/visco-plastic abrasive-laden medium across the surface to be finished. Areas inaccessible to traditional methods, and complex passages, can be finished to high quality by this process. The process embraces a wide range of feasible applications including aerospace, dies and moulds, automotive parts, medical components, etc. In the present work, the effects of different process parameters, such as number of cycles, concentration of abrasive, abrasive mesh size and media flow speed, on material removal and surface finish are studied. The dominant process parameter found is concentration of abrasive, followed by abrasive mesh size, number of cycles, and media flow speed. Experiments are performed with brass and aluminum as work materials. Experimental and theoretical results are compared. The machined surface texture is studied using scanning electron microscopy.

Experimental investigations into abrasive flow machining (AFM)

Abrasive flow machining (AFM) is a relatively new process among non-conventional machining processes. Low material removal rate happens to be one serious limitation of almost all such processes. Limited efforts have hitherto been directed towards improving the efficiency of these processes so as to achieve higher material removal rates by applying different techniques. This paper discusses the possible improvement in surface roughness and material removal rate by applying a magnetic field around the workpiece in AFM. A set-up has been developed for a composite process termed magneto abrasive flow machining (MAFM), and the effect of key parameters on the performance of the process has been studied. Relationships are developed between the material removal rate and the percentage improvement in surface roughness of brass components when finish-machined by this process. Analysis of variance has been applied to identify significant parameters and to test the adequacy of the models. Experimental results indicate significantly improved performance of MAFM over AFM.

Development of magneto abrasive flow machining process

It is important to know cutting force components and active grain density during abrasive flow machining (AFM) as this information could be used to evaluate the mechanism involved in AFM. The results show that cutting force components and active grain density govern the surface roughness produced during AFM process. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the influence of these two parameters, namely cutting force and active grain density, on the surface roughness. This study will help in developing a more realistic theoretical model. The present paper highlights a suitable two-component disc dynamometer for measuring axial and radial force components during AFM. The influence of three controllable variables (extrusion pressure, abrasive concentration and grain size) on the responses (material removal, reduction in surface roughness (Ra value), cutting forces and active grain density) are studied. The preliminary experiments are conducted to select the ranges of variables by using single-factor experimental technique. Five levels for abrasive concentration and six levels for extrusion pressure and abrasive grain size were used. A statistical 23 full factorial experimental technique is used to find out the main effect, interaction effect and contribution of each variable to the machined workpiece surface roughness. The machined surface textures are studied using a scanning electron microscope.

Experimental investigation into cutting forces and active grain density during abrasive flow machining

This research investigated the use of two relatively new technologies, abrasive flow machining (AFM) and stereolithography (SL), to minimize the time to develop a finished prototype. Statistical analysis was used to determine effects of media grit size, media pressure, build style, build orientation and resin type on flatness, material removal rate and surface roughness. Results indicated that media pressure, grit size, and build orientation were significant in at least one of the experiments performed. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed the stair‐stepping effect of the SL process before AFM and the removal of the stair‐stepping after AFM. The SEM images showed a lack of typical AFM flowlines on the surface and suggested that the workpiece material is removed by brittle fracture. Data dependent systems analysis techniques were also used to study the surface roughness profiles.

Abrasive flow finishing of stereolithography prototypes

The present study focus on abrasive flow finishing (AFF), a process that finishes complex internal and external geometries with the help of viscoelastic abrasive medium, while keeping in mind its low finish and material removal rates (MRR). Researchers have often strived to improve finishing rate and MRR. As an attempt to overcome the said limitations, this paper discusses rotational abrasive flow finishing (R-AFF) process wherein complete tooling is externally rotated and the medium reciprocates with the help of hydraulic actuators. In this study, preliminary experiments are conducted on Al alloy and Al alloy/SiC metal matrix composites (MMCs) at different extrusion pressures, and medium compositions are employed for finding optimum conditions of the same for higher change in roughness (ΔRa). The same optimum conditions are used to study the effect of workpiece rotational speed on (ΔRa), material removal (MR), change in workpiece hardness and surface topology. It is noted that as the workpiece rotational speed increases from 2 to 10 RPM, the experimental helix angle decreases from 22° to 9° and the helical path length increases from 67 to 160 mm. Based on these findings the mechanism of material removal of matrix and reinforcement in MMC using R-AFF have been proposed. Here the matrix material is removed by micro-cutting and three methods of material removal mechanisms for reinforcement are also explained. The scientific logic behind finishing mechanism of matrix and reinforcement, cross hatch patterns, helical path directions, micro-scratch (μ-scratch) width and depth variation with size, orientation and support that active abrasive grain obtains from neighboring abrasives is derived from scanning electron microscopy micrographs. Finally this study establishes that R-AFF can produce 44% better ΔRa and 81.8% more MR compared to the AFF process. Accordingly, R-AFF generates micro cross hatch pattern on the finished surface that can improve lubricant holding capabilities.

T. R. Loveless

Papers

A study of the effects of abrasive-flow finishing on various machined surfaces