Abrasive flow machining (AFM) is one of a number of automatic finishing systems to assist with surface finishing. A plant containing polymer resins, permeated with abrasive materials, allow the controlled surfaces to become abraded and/or polished. The resins may be customised to enable specific results with varying grit types, sizes, viscosity and flow rates that allow efficient material removal and/or surface finishing specific to desired results.
In these types of automatic finishing systems a temperature-controlled cooling jacket surrounds the pressurised work area to allow repeatable and consistent flow-control. The main variables to control in the Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) process are media type, operating pressure and surface speed of the media flow.
In most automatic finishing systems, a simple fixture is needed to deploy the abrasive media in the desired location and at the correct surface speed.
Fixtures can be made from low-cost, structural-grade nylon that provides a more than adequate strength-to-weight ratio and can be easily machined to customized configurations.
AFM in the Modern Surface Finishing Plant
Media viscosity and flow rates are controlled by pressure and temperature settings engineered for maximum efficiency and effective results. The ability of AFM to polish difficult to reach internal passages and bends ensure that it is a crucial part of the modern surface finishing plant.
Examples of AFM