Aspects of surface and edge finish by magnetoabrasive particles

Magnetoabrasive finishing (MAF) presents an attractive novel concept of surface and edge finish by fine abrasive particles. The process can overcome the limitations of traditional rigid-shape grinding wheels in tackling complicated peripheries and may result in minimised induced stresses that usually come about by excessive penetration of hard grains of the grinding wheel into the work surface. In order to optimise this process, an understanding of the phenomena involved in material removal is needed. In this investigation the main aspects of MAF are discussed with attempt to establish an analytical model for process kinematics, supported with experimental plan. Several working parameters are investigated and compared with conventional grinding and superfinishing methods to illustrate the nanomachining capabilities of MAF. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.