ON THE PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF FLEXIBLE MAGNETIC ABRASIVE BRUSH

ABSTRACT

Magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) of alloy steel workpiece with unbounded magnetic abrasive particles (UMAPs) indicates that the surface finish in the range of nanometer can be achieved. Important controllable four process parameters have been identified which are as current to the electromagnet, machining gap, abrasive size (mesh number), and number of cycles. Experiments have been planned using design of experiments technique. Based upon the results of response surface methodology and analysis of variance (ANOVA), it is concluded that magnetic flux density that depends on current to the electromagnet and machining gap, is most influencing parameter followed by grain size and number of cycles. The surface roughness profile generated during the MAF process has been discussed. To understand the cutting mechanism of magnetic abrasive finishing process, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) of the machined surfaces have been carried out. The correlation between surface finish and material removal has also been established.     

ABRASIVE-BASED NANO-FINISHING TECHNIQUES: AN OVERVIEW

The surface finishing techniques can be divided into two categories: traditional and advanced. To overcome some of the problems of traditional finishing techniques, hybridized processes have been evolved by the researchers. Some of the advanced finishing processes that have been reviewed are abrasive flow machining (AFM), magnetorheological finishing (MRF), magnetorheological abrasive flow finishing (MRAFF), magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF), chemo mechanical polishing (CMP), etc. Most of these processes have been developed in the recent past and they can be employed to produce optical, mechanical, and electronic components with micrometer or sub-micrometer form accuracy and surface roughness within nanometer range with hardly any surface defects. However for large size flat components, MAF seems to be the most suitable finishing process. In MAF, DC power supply is given to the electromagnet hence intermixing of ferromagnetic abrasive particles during the process does not take place and the worn out cutting edges keep interacting with the workpiece surface. As a result, the finishing rate is quite low. The use of pulsed DC power supply to the electromagnet results in pulsating flexible magnetic abrasive brush (P-FMAB), which substantially enhances the finishing rate. The on-line measurement of the forces has helped in understanding the mechanism of material removal during Static-FMAB (S-FMAB) and Pulsating-FMAB. The magnitude of normal magnetic force (originating indentations) in P-FMAB has been found to be dynamic in nature and substantially high in magnitude as compared to S-FMAB.     

Magnetic abrasive finishing of hardened AISI 52100 steel

Surface finish has a vital influence on functional properties such as wear resistance and power loss due to friction on most of the engineering components. Magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) is one of the advanced finishing process in which a surface is finished by removing the material in the form of microchips by abrasive particles in the presence of magnetic field in the finishing zone. In this study an electromagnet with four poles has been used which was found to give better performance in terms of achieving surface quality in lesser processing time. Voltage, mesh number, revolutions per minute (rpm) of electromagnet, and percentage weight of abrasives have been identified as important process parameters affecting surface roughness. The experiments were planned using response surface methodology and percentage change in surface roughness (??Ra) was considered as response. Analysis of experimental data showed that percentage change in surface roughness (??Ra) was highly influenced by mesh number followed by percentage weight of abrasives, rpm of electromagnet, and voltage. In this study, the least surface roughness value obtained was as low as 51?nm in 120?s processing time on a hardened AISI 52100 steel workpiece of 61 HRC hardness. In order to study the surface texture produced and to identify finishing mechanism, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were also conducted. Shearing and brittle fracture of small portion of peaks of grounded workpiece have been found to be finishing mechanisms during MAF of AISI 52100 steel.     

Experimental investigations into forces acting during a magnetic abrasive finishing process

A magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) process is the one in which material is removed in such a way that surface finishing and deburring are performed simultaneously with the applied magnetic field in the finishing zone. Knowledge of forces acting during MAF is important to understand the mechanism of material removal. Forces have direct influence on the generation of a finished surface and accuracy of the workpiece. This paper reports the experimental findings about the forces acting during MAF and provides correlation between the surface finish and the forces. The resistance type force transducer (ring dynamometer) has been designed and fabricated. It is used to measure the normal magnetic force component responsible for microindentation into the workpiece and tangential cutting force component producing microchips. The force data have been recorded on-line by making use of virtual instruments (using Lab-View software). It is concluded that forces and change in surface roughness (ΔRa) increase with increase in current to the electromagnet (or magnetic flux density) and decrease in the working gap.On deputation from M.M.M.Engg. College, Gorakhpur (UP) India     

AN EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF MAGNETIC ABRASIVES FINISHING OF PLANE SURFACES

Magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) uses magnetic force of very low magnitude applied on ferromagnetic abrasive particles to obtain very high level surface finish. The process has been investigated extensively in the finishing of cylindrical surfaces. This paper reports an experimental work on the analysis of surface roughness and material removal using response surface method in the MAF of plane surfaces. The surface finish was found to improve significantly with an increase in the grain size, relative size of abrasive particles vis-à-vis the iron particles, feed rate and current. The optimum parameter levels which gave better surface finish and the higher material removal were also obtained from this experimentation.     

Study of magnetic abrasive finishing in free-form surface operations using the Taguchi method

This study employed magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) to conduct free-form surface abrasion of stainless SUS304 material operations. The operations were demonstrated using a permanent magnetic finishing mechanism installed at the CNC machining center. The operations were performed using the Taguchi experimental design, considering the effects of magnetic field, spindle revolution, feed rate, working gap, abrasive, and lubricant. Furthermore, the experimental data was collected using the Taguchi experimental design. The optimal parametric conditions for processing stainless SUS304 material were applied in a two-stage process comprised of rough finishing that involved MAF followed by a precise finishing of the surface. Prior to rough finishing, the R_max value was 2.670 μm; after rough finishing, the value was 0.158 μm. Precise finishing yields an even lower value of 0.102 μm similar to that of the mirror surface. Therefore, the results revealed that MAF provides a highly efficient way of obtaining surface finish.     

Effect of working gap and circumferential speed on the performance of magnetic abrasive finishing process

Magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) is one of the advanced finishing processes in which workpiece is kept between two magnets, and cutting force is controlled by working gap and magnetic field between the two magnets. MAF setup is designed for finishing cylindrical workpieces and it is mounted on lathe machine. The loosely bounded powder is prepared for experimentation by homogeneous mixing of magnetic powder (Fe powder of 300 mesh size (51.4 μm)), abrasive powder (Al₂O₃ of 600 mesh size (25.7 μm), and lubricant called servospin-12 oil. To investigate the effects of working gap and circumferential speed on material removal, change in surface finish and percent improvement in surface finish, a series of experiments have been conducted using in-house fabricated setup. Based upon the results, in general, material removal decreases by increasing working gap or decreasing circumferential speed of the workpiece. Change in surface finish increases by increasing circumferential speed of the workpiece.     

磁性研磨在模具曲面抛光中的应用

针对大型模具曲面精整加工的问题,探讨采用磁性研磨加工模具曲面的工艺。根据磁性研磨加工原理,基于数控铣床研制了磁性研磨实验装置,采用工具旋转的磁性研磨加工方式,磁性磨料受到磁场约束力和离心力的作用,成为影响加工过程正反两方面的因素。对模具曲面进行磁性研磨加工实验,针对模具曲面研磨量不均匀问题,分析了影响曲面研磨量的主要因素,提出了从磁极形状和研磨轨迹等方面控制研磨量的方法。     

Comprehensive performance evaluation of the magnetic abrasive particles

Magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) is one of the nontraditional machining processes that have been studied to improve the surface quality and deburr the workpiece. The magnetic abrasive particles (MAPs) as the machining tool of MAF influence the finishing efficiency and the final surface quality. In this study, in order to evaluate the comprehensive performance of the sintered MAPs with the simply mixed MAPs, the surface morphologic structure and the particulate compositions of the sintered MAPs were observed and tested by scanning electron microscopy with energy spectrum analysis. The M–H curves of the two kinds of MAPs were tested through a superconducting quantum interference device. The actual magnetic flux density in the working gap was measured by Gauss meter, and the results showed that the magnetic properties of the sintered MAPs are superior to the simply mixed MAPs. At last, through the different finished surface texture and motion analysis combining with all the measurements, results proved that the finishing ability of sintered MAPs is greater than simply mixed MAPs.     

电化学磁粒光整加工实验

从电化学磁粒光整加工对材料去除量和表面粗糙度影响规律的实验结果表明,由于磁粒加工过程中不断地去除钝化膜,使表面露出的新基体,从而进一步加速了电化学过程,实现表面整平,磁粒光整加工和电化学过程的复合,使光整加工效率和表面质量得到提高。     

Parametric optimization of advanced fine-finishing processes

Quality and performance of the products requiring higher precision and involving moving-parts mainly depends on the surface finish and dimensional accuracy. Generally, finishing operations use fine abrasive particles in different forms along with some carrier or binding medium. Finishing operations are crucial, expensive, uncontrollable, and a labor-intensive phase in the overall production, and contribute significantly to the total production time and cost. As surface finish requirement increases, the cost of finishing operations increases exponentially. Though progress has been made in automating the finishing operations to reduce the production time to some extent, it increases the initial investment and operating costs significantly. Quality, cost, time, and efficiency of finishing operations can be improved significantly by choosing the optimum values of the process parameters. This paper presents the details of process parameters optimization of two advanced fine-finishing processes namely abrasive flow machining (AFM) and magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF), which are capable of giving nano-level surface finish, using real-coded genetic algorithms (GA). It also describes the development of a surface roughness model that was developed to form the objective function for the optimization of AFM process.     

Improving the surface quality in wire electrical discharge machined specimens by removing the recast layer using magnetic abrasive finishing method

This study explores the feasibility of removing the recast layer formed on aluminum alloy cylindrical specimens machined by wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) by using magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF). The WEDM is a thermal machining process capable of accurately machining parts with high hardness or complex shapes. The sparks produced during the WEDM process melt the metal’s surface. The molten material undergoes ultra-rapid quenching and forms a layer on the surface defined as recast layer. The recast layer may be full of craters and microcracks which reduce service life of materials tremendously, especially under fatigue loads in corrosive environments. This investigation demonstrates that MAF process, can improve the quality of WEDM machined surfaces effectively by removing the recast layer. The present work studies the effect of some parameters, i.e., linear speed, working gap, abrasive particle size, and finishing time on surface roughness and recast layer thickness using full factorial analysis. Three-level full factorial technique is used as design of experiments for studying the selected factors. In order to indicate the significant factors, the analysis of variance has been used. In addition, an equation based on regression analysis is presented to indicate the relationship between surface roughness and recast layer thickness of cylindrical specimens and finishing parameters. Experimental results show the influence of MAF process on recast layer removal and surface roughness improvement.     

超声磁力复合研磨钛合金锥孔的试验研究

为了提高钛合金锥孔的研磨质量和研磨效率,提出了采用超声波振动辅助磁力研磨的复合加工方案。加工时,磨粒在磁场束缚下切削锥孔表面,并对其进行不断撞击,且因为磁场力、超声振动力和离心力等综合影响的原因,磨粒的切削轨迹呈现明显的多向性。针对钛合金锥孔,与传统磁力研磨法进行试验对比,并分析研磨后试件的材料去除量、表面粗糙度和表面形貌等来验证超声磁力复合研磨的效果。结果表明：超声磁力复合研磨加工效率得到提高;锥孔的材料去除量增加至1.6倍;研磨后锥孔平均表面粗糙度由原始的R_a1.23 μm降至R_a0.25 μm,下降率是传统工艺的1.3倍;试件表面的微波峰、凹坑和加工纹理均被去除,锥孔表面质量得到显著提高,且试件形状精度得到改善。     

Development of a new magnetic abrasive finishing process with renewable abrasive particles using the circulatory system

In order to improve the finishing efficiency of the Magnetic Abrasive Finishing process, we proposed a new MAF process with renewable abrasive particles using compound magnetic finishing fluid circulatory system in this paper. This new finishing process has a circulating system that uses a conveyor belt to renew the mixed abrasive particles. This not only maintains the stability of the finishing but also ensures that the processing does not need to be interrupted. In this study, we investigated the magnetic field distribution, finishing force, and finishing behavior of the processing area. Furthermore, we designed experimental device to finish the sus304 stainless steel plate, to verify the feasibility of this process and understand its characteristics through processing experiments. Moreover, the influence of important process parameters, including magnetic particles, abrasive particles, conveyor belt line speed and working gap, on the surface quality of the workpiece is studied through the experiment. The experimental results indicate that the present process can achieve stable processing of the material surface without interruption, and the surface roughness of the sus304 stainless steel plate has been improved from 273 nm to 23 nm through this process.     

Multiagent-based scheduling optimization for Intelligent Manufacturing System

The magnetic pole is an important finishing tool in magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF). This study used finite element method to analyze magnetic field characteristics for three different magnetic poles such as solid cylindrical pole, hollow cylindrical pole, and hollow cylindrical pole with grooves design. The results showed that the hollow cylindrical with grooves can generate the better surface roughness in MAF. The operations were demonstrated using a permanent magnetic polishing mechanism installed at a CNC machining center. The operations were performed using Taguchi experimental design, considering the effects of magnetic field, pole rotational speed, feed rate, working gap, abrasive, and lubrication. The optimal parameter conditions was obtained after experimental data analysis, the quality surface roughness (R _max = 0.1 mm) which is similar to a mirror surface was obtained after confirmatory tests. The optimal parameter conditions for material removal weight were also obtained in MAF. The results showed that MAF technique can meet customer requirement and raise the value-added products simultaneously.     

Modeling and simulation of magnetic abrasive finishing process

Magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) is one of the advanced finishing processes, which produces a high level of surface quality and is primarily controlled by a magnetic field. In MAF, the workpiece is kept between the two poles of a magnet. The working gap between the workpiece and the magnet is filled with magnetic abrasive particles. A magnetic abrasive flexible brush (MAFB) is formed, acting as a multipoint cutting tool, due to the effect of the magnetic field in the working gap. This paper deals with the theoretical investigations of the MAF process. A finite element model of the process is developed to evaluate the distribution of magnetic forces on the workpiece surface. The MAF process removes a very small amount of material by indentation and rotation of magnetic abrasive particles in the circular tracks. A theoretical model for material removal and surface roughness is also proposed accounting for microcutting by considering a uniform surface profile without statistical distribution. Numerical experiments are carried out by providing different routes of intermittent motion to the tool. The simulation results are verified by comparing them with the experimental results available in the literature.     

Modeling and simulation of magnetic abrasive finishing process

Magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) is one of the advanced finishing processes, which produces a high level of surface quality and is primarily controlled by a magnetic field. In MAF, the workpiece is kept between the two poles of a magnet. The working gap between the workpiece and the magnet is filled with magnetic abrasive particles. A magnetic abrasive flexible brush (MAFB) is formed, acting as a multipoint cutting tool, due to the effect of the magnetic field in the working gap. This paper deals with the theoretical investigations of the MAF process. A finite element model of the process is developed to evaluate the distribution of magnetic forces on the workpiece surface. The MAF process removes a very small amount of material by indentation and rotation of magnetic abrasive particles in the circular tracks. A theoretical model for material removal and surface roughness is also proposed accounting for microcutting by considering a uniform surface profile without statistical distribution. Numerical experiments are carried out by providing different routes of intermittent motion to the tool. The simulation results are verified by comparing them with the experimental results available in the literature.     

磁辅助超精密加工技术

综述了磁辅助超精密加工的研究现状,介绍了磁性研磨、磁流变抛光、磁辅助电化学加工、磁粒喷射加工、磁性浮体抛光的原理及典型加工设备,并分析了磁辅助超精密加工技术的发展趋势。     

New iron-based SiC spherical composite magnetic abrasive for magnetic abrasive finishing

SiC magnetic abrasive is used to polish surfaces of precise, complex parts which are hard, brittle and highly corrosion-resistant in magnetic abrasive finishing(MAF). Various techniques are employed to produce this magnetic abrasive, but few can meet production demands because they are usually time-consuming, complex with high cost, and the magnetic abrasives made by these techniques have irregular shape and low bonding strength that result in low processing efficiency and shorter service life. Therefore, an attempt is made by combining gas atomization and rapid solidification to fabricate a new iron-based SiC spherical composite magnetic abrasive. The experimental system to prepare this new magnetic abrasive is constructed according to the characteristics of gas atomization and rapid solidification process and the performance requirements of magnetic abrasive. The new iron-based SiC spherical composite magnetic abrasive is prepared successfully when the machining parameters and the composition proportion of the raw materials are controlled properly. Its morphology, microstructure, phase composition are characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis. The MAF tests on plate of mold steel S136 are carried out without grinding lubricant to assess the finishing performance and service life of this new SiC magnetic abrasive. The surface roughness(Ra) of the plate worked is rapidly reduced to 0.051 μm from an initial value of 0.372 μm within 5 min. The MAF test is carried on to find that the service life of this new SiC magnetic abrasive reaches to 155 min. The results indicate that this process presented is feasible to prepare the new SiC magnetic abrasive; and compared with previous magnetic abrasives, the new SiC spherical composite magnetic abrasive has excellent finishing performance, high processing efficiency and longer service life. The presented method to fabricate magnetic abrasive through gas atomization and rapid solidification presented can significantly improve the finishing performance and service life of magnetic abrasive, and provide a more practical approach for large-scale industrial production of magnetic abrasive.