Other Machining

Abrasive flow machining (AFM)

Abrasive flow machining (AFM), also known as abrasive flow deburring or extrude honing, is an interior surface finishing process characterized by flowing an abrasive-laden fluid through a workpiece.

Abrasive flow machining is a process for the production of excellent surface qualities of inner profiles that are difficult to access and outside edges, as well as for deburring and edge rounding. The grinding medium used in AFM consists of a polymer fluid, the so-called base, in which the abrasive grains are bound. The grinding medium is pressed along the contours at a defined pressure and temperature. Depending on the respective machining task, different specifications of media are used. The description of process-related material removal mechanisms requires the knowledge of material removal mechanisms in AFM. Based on findings in flow mechanism, analyses have been made on material removal mechanisms.

Electron Beam Machining (EBM)

Electron beam machining is a thermal nontraditional process, uses electrical energy to generate thermal energy for removing material. A pulsating stream of high-speed electrons produced by a generator is focused by electrostatic and electromagnetic fields to concentrate energy on a very small area of work. High-power beams are used with electron velocities exceeding half the speed of light. As the electrons impinge on the work, their kinetic energy is transformed into thermal energy and melts or evaporates the material locally.