High performance is a term used to describe parts and components that have been designed and engineered to deliver superior performance compared to their standard or conventional counterparts. They are typically crafted using advanced materials, precision manufacturing processes, and innovative designs to achieve greater efficiency, durability, and functionality. High-performance parts are used in sports cars, aircraft, drilling equipment, industrial machinery, and more.
Traditional finishing methods can be unable to achieve the accuracy of surface finish that today’s high-performance components require. It’s why a growing number of manufacturers are turning to abrasive flow machining for solutions. Abrasive flow machining is a precision finishing process that can smooth and deburr a workpiece in ways other methods can’t.
Abrasive Flow Machining is Ideal for Smoothing and Deburring High-Performance Parts
During the abrasive flow machining process, a viscous, putty-like abrasive media is hydraulically extruded along the outer and inner surfaces of a workpiece. The media conforms itself precisely to the shape of the workpiece. As it flows along and through the piece, abrasive materials in the media erode away burrs and other surface imperfections while smoothing and polishing the workpiece.
Abrasive flow machining can finish areas of a workpiece that may be inaccessible using other finishing processes. This makes it ideal for finishing high-performance parts with complex geometries and intricate inner surfaces. The process produces consistent and repeatable results, ensuring that all parts are finished to the same quality standards.
The abrasive flow machining process provides other advantages to manufacturers of high-performance parts. The process can be precisely adjusted to achieve uniform surface finishing. Abrasive flow machining is often more cost-effective than other methods. It can be used on parts manufactured from a wide range of materials, including metal, plastic, ceramics, and composites.
Factors to Consider When Selecting an Abrasive Flow Media
For best results, the abrasive media must be precisely formulated based on the composition of the workpiece. Media viscosity, temperature, workpiece composition, and abrasive size, type, and concentration are all important factors to consider when selecting an abrasive media. Extrusion pressure, flow rate, volume of media, and number of cycles must be taken into account as well.
Too much, or the wrong type of abrasive can damage a workpiece. Silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, carbon boron nitride, and diamond are some of the abrasive materials commonly used in abrasive flow media. The higher the media viscosity, the faster the surface material is removed.
Abrasive Flow Machining for High-Performance Parts in Pennsylvania
Deburring & Finishing Technologies has been providing expert abrasive flow machining services and abrasive flow media in Pennsylvania since 2009. We’re located just outside of Pittsburgh and serve the needs of manufacturers across the state. Our engineering team has the experience and equipment to tackle just about any abrasive flow project.
Abrasive flow media is a specialty. We offer customers a wide selection of abrasive flow media suitable for many applications. We also have the custom capability to mix an abrasive flow media based on the specific requirements of your job.
You can contact us through our website or call us at (412) 849-1522 for more information about our products and services and to receive a free quote.