Deburring and polishing

Abrasive flow machining (AFM) is often the only machining method for precision deburring of complex workpieces.

That applies especially to internal surfaces, bores, openings and complex part geometries with hard-to-reach locations. Conventional mechanical, thermal or electrochemical polishing and deburring methods often prove unreliable or inefficient in such cases.

Abrasive flow machining is also recommended for particularly sensitive or highly demanding production parts that require absolutely perfect and reliable surface finishes, such as medical implants or high-performance functional parts in medical, aerospace or sensor technology. To meet hygienic design requirements and enable applications in the chemicals, pharmaceutical and food sectors, connections, distributors, pipes, lines and valves with welded seams have to be internally polished to a surface quality higher than RA<0.38 micrometers.

Abrasive flow machining involves pressing a viscous paste containing abrasive particles through the workpiece or over the surface to be machined under pressure. The device for holding the workpieces is custom-made and the composition and viscosity of the abrasive paste is adapted to each machining task.