ENGINEERING SURFACES - A PHILOSOPHY OF MANUFACTURE (A PROPOSAL FOR GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE)

This paper considers a new approach to controlling the finishing proce ss of engineering surfaces to ensure that their final topography and s urface mechanical properties make them suitable for the intended funct ional purpose. It is proposed that this 'engineering' of the final sur face is achieved by controlling the final machining or surface working process to impart the required mechanical properties. It is shown in the paper that some surface engineering processes are already employed by industry but that many of these processes are implemented through an empirical understanding of them. The intention of the paper is to l ay down a basis for a more rigorous approach to engineering surfaces f or their final function.