Abrasive Flow Machining Of Turbine Engine Components

Author: Lawrence J. Rhoades Abrasive flow machining (AFM) is used to deburr, polish, or radius surfaces and edges by flowing a semisolid abrasive media over these areas. The process embraces a wide range of feasible applications, from critical aerospace and medical components to high-production volumes of parts. AFM can reach even the most inaccessible areas, processing multiple holes, slots, or edges in one operation. Advances in media formulation and tool design, coupled with new capabilities in processing and automation, have established the abrasive flow process as a way of satisfying tough manufacturing requirements economically and productively. The AFM process can be used in a wide range of finishing operations. It can process many areas on a single workpiece or multiple parts simultaneously. Inaccessible areas and complex internal passages can be finished economically and productively. Automatic AFM systems can handle thousands of parts per day, greatly reducing labor costs by eliminating tedious hand work. By understanding and controlling the process parameters, AFM can be applied to an impressive range of finishing operations.