Design and development of fixture and modification of existing AFM setup to magnetic abrasive flow machining (MAFM) process setup

Abstract

To finish multifaceted geometries, miniaturized parts, especially of internal inaccessible cavities or recesses by the use of abrasives media with other constituents is known as abrasive flow machining (AFM). With the help of hydraulic pressure system, the media is extruded to-and-fro over the surface in this process. Recently, numerous amendments have been made for improving the performance of the AFM process. This paper presents a new modified AFM process known as magnetic abrasive flow machining process (MAFM) that is used to finish internal cylindrical surfaces. In MAFM process the electromagnet is made-up to locate around the cylindrical work-piece. For providing maximum magnetic field nearby the whole internal surface of the work-piece, there are two poles that are bounded by copper coils. In MAFM, aluminium fixture is considered to enhance the magnetic effect around the workpiece surface that helps in increasing the MRR and change in surface roughness (ΔRa).