The study of plane magnetic abrasive finishing based on axial pressure

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the influence of applying axial pressure to finishing efficiency and surface quality by a self-designed plane magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) device. The plane MAF experimental researches were conducted in three processes: first, the working gap is kept 0.5 mm between the magnetic pole and workpiece; second, the axial pressure is 12.5 kPa on the magnetic pole shaft; finally, the axial pressure is 37.5 kPa on the magnetic pole shaft. The similarities and differences of working conditions are compared by measuring the surface roughness, material removal, cross-sectional shape and 3D surface topography. The main reasons for the differences were analysed and summarised combining with the mechanism of MAF. The results suggested that it can improve the finishing efficiency and obtain ideal surface roughness, uniform cross-sectional shape and integrated 3D surface topography to apply 12.5 kPa axial pressure on the magnetic pole shaft compared with conventional process. However, when the axial pressure is 37.5 kPa, the finishing efficiency decreased, the value of surface roughness increased, the cross-sectional shape is improved, the 3D surface topography still has some pits, but machining textures are not obvious.