STUDY ON MAGNETIC POLISHING OF FREE-FORM SURFACES

Magnetic polishing technology applicable to free-form surfaces such as the die/mold manufacturing field, has been studied using two types of magnetic polishing tool. Finishing efficiency and final surface rough ness can be satisfactorily achieved at the same time by magnetic polis hing using two types of magnetic polishing tool. One is an abrasive wh eel type and the other is a magnetic brush type. The possibility of fr ee-form surface polishing has been confirmed by use of the magnetic po lishing technology because it has flexibility of profiling and does no t need any complex tool-path control, with respect to workpiece surfac es. Magnetic force was estimated and measured. A two-stage magnetic po lishing experiment has been executed using the magnetic polishing tool s and mini CNC milling machine without tool-path control. A realizatio n of efficient polishing of curved surfaces is possible using the two- stage magnetic polishing method, and it was also confirmed that automa tion of free-form surface polishing is possible by this method. (C) 19 97 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.