Precision surface finish of the mold steel PDS5 using an innovative ball burnishing tool embedded with a load cell

A load-cell-embedded burnishing tool has been newly developed and integrated with a machining center, to improve the surface roughness of the PDS5 plastic injection mold steel. Either the rolling-contact type or the sliding-contact type was possible for the developed ball burnishing tool. The characteristic curves of burnishing force vs. surface roughness for the PDS5 plastic injection mold steel using the developed burnishing tool for both the rolling-contact type and the sliding-contact type, have been investigated and constructed, based on the test results. The optimal plane surface burnishing force for the PDS5 plastic injection mold steel was about 420 N for the rolling-contact type and about 470 N for the sliding-contact type, based on the results of experiments. A force compensation strategy that results in the constant optimal normal force for burnishing an inclined surface or a curved surface, has also been proposed to improve the surface roughness of the test objects in this study. The surface roughness of a fine milled inclined surface of 60 degrees can be improved from R_a 3.0 μm on average to R_a 0.08 μm (R_max 0.79 μm) on average using force compensation, whereas the surface roughness was R_a 0.35 μm (R_max 4.56 μm) on average with no force compensation.     

Determination of Optimal Ball-Burnishing Parameters for Plastic Injection Moulding Steel

The objective of this study is to determine the optimal plane ball-burnishing parameters for plastic injection moulding steel PDS5 on a machining centre by utilising the Taguchi’s orthogonal array method. The design and manufacture of a burnishing tool are described. Four burnishing parameters, namely the ball material, burnishing speed, burnishing force and feed, were selected as the experimental factors in Taguchi’s design of experiments to determine the optimal burnishing parameters which have the dominant influence on surface roughness. The optimal burnishing parameters were found after carrying out the experiments specified by Taguchi’s L18 orthogonal table, by the analysis of variation, and by a full factorial experiment. The optimal plane burnishing parameters for the plastic injection moulding steel PDS5 were a combination of a tungsten carbide ball, a burnishing speed of 200 mm/min, a burnishing force of 300 N and a feed of 40 μm. The surface roughness Ra of the specimen can be improved from about 1 μm to 0.07 μm by using the optimal burnishing parameters for plane burnishing.     

Using specially designed high-stiffness burnishing tool to achieve high-quality surface finish

This paper is focused on the process of ball burnishing. The influence of tool stiffness on surface roughness parameters was considered theoretically, while experimental investigation was conducted to establish the influence of initial surface roughness (previous machining) on the effects of ball burnishing as the finishing process. Experimental investigations were conducted over a wide interval of most influential process parameters (burnishing forces, burnishing feed, and number of burnishing passes). The material used in the experiments was aluminum alloy EN AW-6082 (AlMgSi1) T651. Burnishing was performed using a specially designed tool of high stiffness. Statistical analysis of experimental data revealed strong correlation between roughness, R _a, and burnishing force, burnishing feed, and number of passes for the three surfaces, each with different roughness parameters. Particular combinations of process parameters yielded very low surface roughness, R _a, equivalent to polishing. It is worth noting that high surface quality can be achieved with relatively small burnishing forces, which differs from the investigations published so far. Contrary to conventional approaches, which are based on elastic tool systems, the authors propose the burnishing process to be conducted with high-stiffness tools. Further investigation shall be focused on optimization of burnishing process parameters in order to achieve surface finish equivalent to high polish.     

The effect of copper concentration on the wear resistance of composites based on recycled ShKh15 steel during friction with current collection

The current-voltage characteristic, wear resistance, and friction surface roughness of baked model copper-graphite-ShKh15 steel composites are determined. It is shown that the composites containing under 10% and above 50% Cu produce a friction zone with low conductivity and wear resistance. The composites containing 15–20% Cu produce a friction zone with relatively high conductivity and wear resistance. The maximum parameters of the roughness (R _a = 2.98 μm and R _z = 24.5 μm) appear on the friction surface of the material containing 50% Cu.     

Influence of Tool Material and Surface Roughness on Galling Resistance in Sliding Against Austenitic Stainless Steel

Transfer and accumulation of adhered sheet material, generally referred to as galling, is a major cause for tool failure in sheet metal forming. In the present work, the galling resistance of three different tool materials was evaluated in lubricated sliding against austenitic stainless steel using a SOFS tribometer. All tool materials were prepared to four different surface roughnesses, ranging from a polished surface with R _a = 0.05 μm to a ground surface with R _a = 0.3 μm. The overall best performance was obtained for polished nitrogen alloyed powder metallurgy (PM) tool steel, where galling was detected only at the highest load evaluated, 700 N. However, for both the D2 type tool steel and nodular iron, best performance was observed for the surface possessing a surface roughness of 0.1 μm. The improved galling resistance for the rougher surfaces was related to filling of grinding scratches with sheet material during the initial stage of sliding, prolonging the development of protruding sheet material on the tools surface. Similar trend was not observed for the PM steel, which was related to width of the scratches originating from the surface preparation, in relation to tool microstructure.     

An investigation of surface roughness of burnished AISI 1042 steel

The aim of this study is to analyse the evolution of surface roughness finished by burnishing. Burnishing is done on a surface that was initially turned or turned and then ground.It has been noted that burnishing an AISI 1042 steel offers the best surface quality when using a small feed value. This finishing process improves roughness and introduces compressive residual stresses in the machined surface. So, it can replace grinding in the machining range of the piece.Also, an analytical model has been defined to determine the R_t factor in relation to the feed. Good correlations have been found between the experimental and analytical results.     

光学自由曲面反射镜模芯的镜面成型磨削

采用精密修锐修整的圆弧形粗金刚石砂轮在CNC精密磨床上进行了数控成型磨削加工,实现了高效镜面磨削。分析金刚石砂轮圆弧形轮廓的成型修整原理,建立了圆弧形修整的数控模式。通过建立曲面数控成型磨削的行走轨迹算法,实现了自由曲面的圆弧包络成型磨削加工。分析了磨削工艺参数和砂轮出刃形貌参数与超光滑表面形成的作用机制,进行了镜面磨削试验并检测表面微观形貌和粗糙度,分析实现镜面磨削的脆/塑性磨削转换机理。理论分析表明,降低砂轮行走速度,提高砂轮转速以及改善出刃形貌可以获得纳米级粗糙度的超光滑磨削表面。试验结果显示,先将砂轮修锐修整再控制砂轮行走速度小至15 mm/min时,表面粗糙度小于10 nm以下,且微观加工表面没有发生脆性破坏,形成镜面。加工高速钢自由曲面时,面形误差(PV值)可以达到10 μm以下,表面粗糙度R_a可以达到约16 nm。实验结果表明:利用数控技术和粗金刚石砂轮可以实现自由曲面模芯的高效镜面磨削加工,保证了高精度的光学自由曲面反射镜注塑模芯。     

Planar nanogrinding of a fine grained WC-Co composite for an optical surface finish

Nanogrinding of a fine-grained WC-Co composite was developed to achieve an optical quality surface without further polishing. Direct planar grinding was conducted with a CNC grinding machine using a metal-bond diamond wheel of grit size of 15 μm, under the nanogrinding conditions selected. The ground planar surfaces were examined using laser and optical interferometry, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy to measure flatness, surface roughness, and surface integrity as a function of grinding conditions. Damage-free, planar mirror surfaces with a flatness (peak-to-valley, PV) at the submicron scale and surface roughness <5 nm R_a were obtained.     

Surface roughness measurement in turning carbon steel AISI 1045 using wiper inserts

Surface roughness of the workpiece is an important parameter in machining technology. Wiper inserts have emerged as a significantly class of cutting tools, which are increasingly being utilized in last years. This study considers the influence of the wiper inserts when compared with conventional inserts on the surface roughness obtained in turning. Experimental studies were carried out for the carbon steel AISI 1045 because of its great application in manufacturing industry. Surface roughness is represented by different amplitude parameters (R_a, R_zD, R_3z, R_q, R_t, R_a/R_q, R_q/R_t, R_a/R_t). With wiper inserts and high feed rate it is possible to obtain machined surfaces with R_a < 0.8 μm (micron). Consequently it is possible to get surface quality in workpiece of mechanics precision without cylindrical grinding operations.     

Influence of surface preparation on roughness parameters,friction and wear

The aim of the present research was to investigate influence of surface preparation on roughness parameters and correlation between roughness parameters and friction and wear. First the correlation between different surface preparation techniques and roughness parameters was investigated. For this purpose 100Cr6 steel plate samples were prepared in terms of different average surface roughness, using different grades of grinding, polishing, turning and milling. Different surface preparation techniques resulted in different R_a values from 0.02 to 7 μm. After this, correlation between surface roughness parameters and friction and wear was investigated. For this reason dry and lubricated pin-on-disc tests, using different contact conditions, were carried out, where Al₂O₃ ball was used as counter-body. It was observed that parameters R_ku, R_sk, R_pk and R_vk tend to have influence on coefficient of friction.     

Effects of working parameters on surface finish in ball-burnishing of hardened steels

Burnishing is a chipless finishing method, which employs a rolling tool, pressed against the workpiece, in order to achieve plastic deformation of the surface layer. Recent developments made possible burnishing of heat-treated steel components up to 65 HRC. Features of burnishing include a good roughness (comparable to grinding), as well as improvement of mechanical characteristics of the surface (fatigue strength, corrosion resistance, and bearing ratio), due to implementation of compressive stresses into the surface layer. This paper will present influences of certain burnishing parameters upon roughness, for a hardened steel component (64 HRC).     

Surface Improvement Using a Combination of Electrical Discharge Machining with Ball Burnish Machining Based on the Taguchi Method

This study investigates the feasibility of improving surface integrity via a novel combined process of electrical discharge machining (EDM) with ball burnish machining (BBM) using the Taguchi method. To provide burnishing immediately after the EDM process, ZrO₂ balls were attached to the tool electrode in the experiments. To verify the optimal process, three observed values, i.e. material removal rate, surface roughness, and improvement ratio of surface roughness were chosen. In addition, six independent parameters were adopted for evalu-ation by the Taguchi method. From the ANOVA and S/N ratio response graph, the significant parameters and the optimal combination level of machining parameters were obtained. Experimental results indicate that the combined process effectively improves the surface roughness and eliminates the micro pores and cracks caused by EDM. Therefore, the combination of EDM and BBM is a feasible process by which to obtain a fine-finishing surface and achieve surface modification.     

Three-dimensional kinematical analyses for surface grinding of large scale substrate

Sponsored by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (MESC) of Japan, this project has developed an advanced machining system for 300 mm silicon wafer, using fixed abrasive instead of conventional free slurry, to provide a totally integrated solution for achieving the surface roughness R_a<1 nm (R_y<5–6 nm) and the global flatness <0.2 μm/ 300 mm. Use of state-of-the-art technologies for ultra precision machine tools has made it possible to precisely control the motion and repeatability of each cutting edge. The behavior of each grain and its effect on surface generation become analytical in 2D manner [J JSPE 68(1) (2002) 125]. Taking one step further, this paper has developed a 3D model for infeed grinding which is often used in silicon grinding systems, and mathematically described the cutting path and effects on the surface roughness and flatness.     

Dry Sliding Friction and Wear Behaviour of an Electron Beam Melted Hypereutectic Al–Si Alloy

The economic and environmental benefits of using light-weighting technology in automotive applications continue to attract attention for feasible commercial solutions. This study investigates the use of pulsed electron beam melting of a hypereutectic Al–Si alloy as a possible modification procedure for cylinder crankcase bore facing surfaces. Machined surfaces of an A390 alloy were subjected to five pulsed electron doses with an applied cathode potential between 16.5 and 36 kV. It was found that increasing beam accelerating voltages led to an initial decrease (1.4 μm R _a) but subsequent increase (4.0 μm R _a) in average surface roughness values associated with surface crater formation due to sub-surface melting and eruption. Surfaces were tested under dry sliding tribological conditions against 52100 bearing steel in a reciprocating geometry. Average dynamic friction coefficients were higher (0.9) compared to the untreated alloy surface (0.6) as a result of a greater degree of adhesion to the counterface. However, FIB cross sections of worn surfaces indicated that this activated an oxidative type wear process which ultimately led to the formation of a beneficial surface tribo-film on the EBM-treated surfaces, improving the specific wear rates by up to 66%.     

Study of face milling of hardened AISI D3 steel with a special design of carbide tools

This paper studies the impact of a special carbide tool design on the process viability of the face milling of hardened AISI D3 steel (with a hardness of 60 HRC), in terms of surface quality and tool life. Due to the advances in the manufacturing of PVD AlCrN tungsten carbide coated tools, it is possible to use them in the manufacturing of mould and die components. Experimental results show that surface roughness (R_a) values from 0.1 to 0.3 μm can be obtained in the workpiece with an acceptable level of tool life. These outcomes suggest that these tools are suitable for the finishing of hardened steel parts and can compete with other finishing processes. The tool performance is explained after a tool wear characterization, in which two wear zones were distinguished: the region along the cutting edge where the cutting angle (κ) is maximum (κ_max) for a given depth of cut, and the zone where the cutting angle is minimum (κ?=?0) that generates the desired surface. An additional machining test run was made to plot the topography of the surface and to measure dimensional variations. Finally, for the parameters optimal selection, frequency histograms of R_a distribution were obtained establishing the relationship between key milling process parameters (V_c and f_z), surface roughness and tool wear morphology.     

Comparative study of conventional and micro WEDM based on machining of meso/micro Sized Spur Gear

This paper discusses the comparison of micro machining process using conventional and micro wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) for fabrication of miniaturized components. Seventeen toothed miniaturized spur gear of 3.5 and 1.2 mm outside diameter were fabricated by conventional and micro WEDM respectively. The process parameters for both conventional and micro WEDM were optimized by preliminary experiments and analysis. The gears were investigated for the quality of surface finish and dimensional accuracy which were used as the criteria for the process evaluation. An average surface roughness (R_a) of 50 nm and dimensional accuracy of 0.1–1 μm were achieved in micro WEDM. Whenever applied conventional WEDM for meso/micro fabrication, a R_a surface roughness of 1.8 μm and dimensional accuracy of 2–3 μm were achieved. However, this level of surface roughness and dimensional accuracy are acceptable in many applications of micro engineering. A window of conventional WEDM consisting of low energy discharge parameters is identified for micromachining.     

Grinding-aided electrochemical discharge machining of particulate reinforced metal matrix composites

A grinding-aided electrochemical discharge machining (G-ECDM) process has been developed to improve the performance of the conventional ECDM process in machining particulate reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs). The G-ECDM process functions under a combined action of electrochemical dissolution, spark erosion, and direct mechanical grinding. The tool electrode has a coating containing a hard reinforcement phase of diamond particles. The MMC employed in this study was Al₂O₃ particulate reinforced aluminum 6061 alloy. The material removal mechanism of this hybrid process has been analyzed. The results showed that the grinding action can effectively remove re-cast material deposited on the machining surface. The surface roughness (R _a) measured for the G-ECDM specimen was ten times smaller than that of the specimen machined without grinding aid (i.e., ECDM alone). Moreover, the material removal rate (MRR) of G-ECDM was about three times higher than that of ECDM under the experimental conditions of this study. The voltage waveform and crater distribution were also analyzed, and the experimental results showed that the G-ECDM process operates in a stable condition. The relative importance of the various processing parameters on MRR was established using orthogonal analysis. The results showed that MRR is influenced by the machining parameters in the order of duty cycle?>?current?>?electrolyte concentration. This study showed that the G-ECDM process is superior to the ECDM process for machining particulate reinforced MMCs, where a higher machining efficiency and a better surface quality can be obtained.     

Surface finish prediction models for precision grinding of silicon

Conventional grinding of silicon substrates results in poor surface quality unless they are machined in ductile mode on expensive ultra-precision machine tools. However, precision grinding can be used to generate massive ductile surfaces on silicon so that the polishing time can be reduced immensely and surface quality improved. However, precision grinding has to be planned with reliability in advance and the process has to be performed with high rates of reproducibility. Therefore, this work reports the empirical models developed for surface parameters R _a, R _max, and R _t with precision grinding parameters, depths of cut, feed rates, and spindle speeds using conventional numerical control machine tools with Box–Behnken design. Second-order models are developed for the surface parameters in relation to the grinding parameters. Analysis of variance is used to show the parameters as well as their interactions that influence the roughness models. The models are capable of navigating the design space. Also, the results show large amounts of ductile streaks at depth of cut of 20?μm, feed rate of 6.25?mm/min, and spindle speed of 70,000?rpm with a 43-nm R _a. Optimization experiments by desirability function generate 37-nm R _a, 400-nm R _max, and 880-nm R _t with massive ductile surfaces.     

Micro/meso ultra precision grinding of fibre optic connectors

The present paper reports on the development of a micro/meso grinding technology using inclined resin bond diamond cup wheels for machining spherical end faces of fibre optic connectors. The ground spherical end faces obtained using the wheel of grit size of 4 μm have an average roughness (R_a) value of 7 nm in the fibre area and a profile error of below 0.4 μm. The corresponding average return and insertion losses are 55 and 0.1 dB, respectively. The results are competitive to those obtained from the polishing process that is currently used in industries. Furthermore, this study has revealed the relationships between the ground surface quality characterized by roughness and profile accuracy and the optic performance evaluated by insertion and return losses.     

Effect of a pulsed electromagnetic field on the surface roughness in superfinishing EDM

It is shown and confirmed that the behaviour of a pulsed electromagnetic field influences the surface roughness especially in superfinishing electrodischarge machining (EDM). In accordance with technological experiments, instrumental measuring and theoretical analysis, some principles of the microenergy EDM process are discovered. An effective method concerning the generator and conducts is proposed to ensure that all discharges occur with desired pulse parameters. A best surface roughness of 0.04 μm R_a is achieved.