ABRASIVE FLOW MACHINING OF TURBINE ENGINE COMPONENTS

Author: Winfield B. Perry

ABRASIVE FLOW MACHINING (AFM) IS A NONTRADITIONAL FINISHING METHOD USED FOR PRECISION DEBURRING, RADIUS GENERATION, SURFACE IMPROVEMENT AND THERMAL RECAST REMOVAL. AFM IS USED FOR THESE PURPOSES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TURBINE ENGINE COMPONENTS INCLUDING: STATOR NOZZLES, IMPELLERS, TURBINE BLADES, SHAFTS, BEARINGS, AND DISKS. THE PRINCIPLES OF AFM ARE EXPLAINED AND SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS ARE DESCRIBED AND ILLUSTRATED.