Title: Optimisation of finishing conditions in Centrifugal Force Assisted Abrasive Flow Machining using Taguchi method

Authors: R.S. Walia, H.S. Shan, P. Kumar

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, 247667, India. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, 247667, India. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, 247667, India

Abstract: Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) is a non-conventional finishing process that deburrs and polishes by forcing an abrasive media across the work piece surface. One serious limitation of this process is its low productivity in terms of improvement in surface roughness. In recent years, hybrid-machining processes have been developed to improve the efficiency of such processes. This paper discusses improved fixturing as a technique for productivity enhancement in terms of surface roughness (Ra). A rotating Centrifugal Force Generating (CFG) rod was used inside the cylindrical work piece, which provides the centrifugal force to the abrasive particles normal to the axis of work piece. The effect of the key parameters on the performance of process has been studied. The results show that for a given improvement in Ra value the processing time can be reduced. It is seen that the significant process parameters are rpm of CFG rod, extrusion pressure and abrasive mesh size.

Keywords: AFM; abrasive flow machining; centrifugal force generating rod; rotational speed; surface roughness; Taguchi methods; optimisation; finishing conditions; fixturing improvements; productivity; process parameters; extrusion pressure; abrasive mesh size.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2009.024621

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2009 Vol.18 No.1, pp.79 - 93

Published online: 12 Apr 2009 *

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