Magnetic Fluid Grinding Cell Design

Abstract

Magnetic fluid grinding is a process for the rapid grinding and polishing of ceramic ball bearings. Grinding grits are levitated in a ferrofluid contained above a bed of permanent magnets; and balls to be finished are driven through this medium by a shaft against which they are loaded, also by magnetic forces. This paper describes a theoretical and experimental study of the magnetic forces which exist in the process and discusses design of the magnetic hid grinding cell in terms of these. Shaft contact loads of the order of Newtons per ball are achievable and grits may be levitated tens of mm above the magnet bed.