Abrasive Machining Techniques for Biomedical Device Applications

Abstract

Abrasive machining and finishing processes are techniques of material removal that are introduced in order to cut workpiece materials with the nominal mechanical and thermal residual stresses. These processes utilize continuous material removal by abrasive medium that can be in forms of water, abrasive particles or a mixture of these two. The benefit of eliminating excessive mechanical cutting force results in enhanced cutting of brittle or soft materials. On the other hand, removal of thermal cutting source provides a capability of cutting plastics and diminished the chances of thermal cracking in workpiece. Abrasive finishing processes have been introduced as complementary to abrasive cutting techniques in order to increase the precision and surface quality of manufactured parts. The most common of these techniques are water jet machining (WJM), abrasive jet machining (AJM), abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) and magnetic abrasive machining processes such as magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF), magneto-rheological abrasive finishing (MRF) and magneto-rheological abrasive flow finishing (MRAFF).