Investigation of the mechanism of vibratory polishing technique based on acoustic waves

Vibratory polishing, considered a non-conventional machining method employing abrasive grits, is widely utilized across diverse industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medicine. In this technique, a dynamic force applied to the container induces particle vibration, with the kinetic energy typically generated by electromagnetic shakers or unbalanced rotary shafts. Given the prevalence of acoustic noise in industrial settings, harvesting this energy for specific purposes becomes an appealing prospect. This study focuses on investigating the potential of acoustic waves in vibratory polishing of AL 2024 alloy. A hybrid approach combining numerical simulations and experiments was employed to determine the most effective conditions for polishing the workpiece. The discrete element method was used for simulating the polishing mechanism, and experimental tests were conducted to obtain input parameters for numerical simulations under various conditions. The numerical approach predicted the optimal condition, and experimental results confirmed that low-frequency acoustic energy can indeed be utilized for polishing aluminum components.