Title: Quality optimisation of surface finishing by magnetic field assisted abrasive flow machining through Taguchi technique

Authors: Sehijpal Singh, Pradeep Kumar, H.S. Shan

Addresses: Mechanical and Production Engineering Department, G.N.D. Engineering College Ludhiana, (PB)-141006, India. ' Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247 667, India. ' Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247 667, India

Abstract: Final finishing of complex job profiles on the precision components is one of the tedious and important steps in a manufacturing process. Abrasive flow machining (AFM) is a novel technique used for obtaining a fine finish particularly on inaccessible regions. In spite of several advantages over other non-conventional machining techniques, AFM suffers from the limitation of low material removal rate. According to recent studies, abrasion rate in AFM is enhanced if the work piece is processed in the presence of a magnetic field. The introduction of a magnetic field as an assistance to AFM calls for reassessment of the process performance. In this paper, the effect of magnetic field as an input parameter along with other key parameters of AFM on the surface roughness of components is studied with the help of Taguchi technique. The optimal setting of various parameters affecting quality characteristic (surface roughness) has been also carried out.

Keywords: surface finishing; magnetic field assisted AFM; abrasive flow machining; quality optimisation; Taguchi methods; precision components; material removal rate; surface roughness; optimisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2006.010987

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2006 Vol.27 No.1, pp.31 - 37

Published online: 26 Sep 2006 *

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