Simulation as a Tool for Electropolishing Industrialization

Abstract

Although the production of parts by additive manufacturing allows a great degree of freedom in design, a recurring problem lies in surface finish compared to the one produced by conventional machining, with important roughness and the risk of detachable particles presence. To overcome these issues, finishing processes are required, such as electropolishing for example. This electrochemical process relies on specific know-how, particularly in the choice of process parameters (agitation, electrical conditions, etc.). However, the high-complexity level of the geometries encountered requires a dedicated cathodes, which necessitates several iterations before reaching suitable configurations. Numerical simulation of electropolishing processes, for different conditions or different materials, allows predicting the thickness and roughness reduction. Indeed, it is possible to run simulations for complex geometries while taking into account agitation. Therefore, numerical studies of different cathode configurations allow a drastic reduction of the number of experimental tests, and therefore an acceleration of the industrialization. Figure 1