Abrasive Flow Machining: An Area Seeking for Improvement

Abstract

Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) was developed as a method to deburr, polish, and chamfer very hard to reach surfaces like perplexed geometries and edges by flowing abrasive loaded viscoelastic polymer over them. Abrasion occurs wherever the medium passes through the highly restrictive passage. Process input parameters such as extrusion pressure, number of cycles, grit composition and type, tooling and fixture designs have effect on AFM output parameters such as surface finish and material removal. The correct selection of manufacturing conditions is one of the most significant aspects to take into concern in the majority of manufacturing processes and mainly in processes related to Abrasive Flow Machining. The present paper highlighted some of the existing techniques of AFM and its process parametric characterization.