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Welcome to Abrasive Flow Machining: go to page
Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM)
is a precisely controlled and thereby repeatable method of edge conditioning and surface finish enhancement on a broad range of base materials.
The selection process controls many variables: flow-direction, temperature, pressure and target(s) for deployment by the use of fixtures as well as the viscosity, flow-rate, grit type and size of the preferred media. These critical parameters are selected on a case-by-case basis to provide the desired, customized results for each component.
The fixture is a critical component and must be designed and manufactured to effectively and economically direct the media to the target areas selected for improvement.
Engineered Finishing Corporation provides many
years of experience in the AFM process to effectively produce
your required results.
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How the Process Works: go to page
Uniquely designed polymer resins, permeated with abrasive materials, allow the controlled surfaces to become abraded and/or polished.These materials may be customized for specific results with various grit types, sizes, viscosity and flow rates that allow an efficient material removal and/or polishing specific to desired results.
A temperature-controlled cooling jacket encapsulates the pressurized work area for consistent and repeatable flow-control objectives. The key variables to control in the Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) process are media type, operating pressure and surface speed of the media flow.
In most cases, a simple fixture is needed to successfully deploy the abrasive media in the location desired and at the correct, consistent and repeatable surface speed.
Fixtures can be made from inexpensive, structural-grade nylon that provides a more than adequate strength-to-weight ratio and can be easily machined to customized configurations.
Media viscosity and flow rates are controlled by pressure and temperature settings engineered for maximum efficiency and effective results.
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Medical Equipment & Device Manufacturing: go to page
- Food processing
- Semiconductor (front-end) equipment
- Pharmaceutical manufacturers
- Ultra-clean or high purity devices
Polishing surfaces to mirror-like requirements minimizes the amount of microscopic and/or inaccessible areas that enable contamination or entrapment.
Ultra-smooth surface finishes greatly diminish the areas of concern for surface absorption, chemical contaminants, foreign particulate and bacteria. Additionally, the AFM process minimizes Òflow-retardationÓ due to machining and/or die and mold Òmicrogrooves.Ó
AFM allows for extremely fine finishes on very complex geometry and difficult-to-reach surface configurations often found in prosthetic applications and in a broad range of materials.
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Internal Edge Control: go to page
The Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) process provides a controlled and repeatable method for burr removal and surface finish enhancement at hole intersection(s) and difficult to reach surfaces. Irregular holes, shapes and intersecting surfaces can be deburred or even polished with precision and predictable results in places that are impossible to reach by virtually any other method.
AFM removes the burrs and enhances the adjacent surfaces by flowing the selected abrasive material on the target surface/edge and is typically limited ONLY by hole size coupled with the particulate size of the chosen abrasive.
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Molds and Dies: go to page
- Metal forming
- Glass forming
- Plastic applications
Critical, forming surfaces may be enhanced as much as (X10)
on many applications. EDMÕd surfaces (all types), milled surfaces and ground surfaces can be consistently and uniformly polished to a very low Ra to further enhance speed, part release, and overall quality and production efficiency while preserving
critical tolerances.
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Aeronautical Component Manufacturing: go to page
- Increased fatigue strength
- Higher performance and efficiency
Abrasive Flow Machining will precisely remove the Òrecast layersÓ of material resulting from the thermal characteristics of laser and EDM cutting techniques in many high-strength applications.
Improved surface integrity with enhanced eddy current readings result in more reliable and efficient components. Precise and repeatable edge control, regardless of configuration, typically equates to less flow resistance and enhanced cycle fatigue strength.
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Higher Performance in Internal Combustion Engines: go to page
- Diesel engines
- Automotive
A high-pressure fuel injection systemÕs life cycle can be extended through Abrasive Flow Machining by reducing surface cracks and more uniform surface finishes in critical areas of fatigue failure.
Reduction of resistance in fuel and exhaust passages enhances performance and efficiency while maintaining critical tolerance parameters. Smoother intake passages allow for more effective gas/air mixing, higher efficiency and a more powerful engine.
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Request an AFM Quote From Engineered Finishing: go to page
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Abrasive Flow Feasibility Cycle go to page
What it means and what you should expect:
- The Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) Feasibility
Cycle is intended to confirm the predicted results of the
AFM process
and assist in the refinement of the fixture configuration
necessary to meet your specifications and requirements.
- This preliminary, investigative research
is intended to provide the path to the desired results to
ensure
your components are “FLOWED” to your exacting
specifications in the most efficient manner.
- With tangible evidence of the AFM results
on your furnished sample components in your possession and
awaiting your approval, we will develop a production-level
quotation at a competitive price for future consideration.
- ONLY if you are completely satisfied
and your approval of the process results follows (incl.
the quoted price),
up to 50% of the “Trial/Feasibility” cost (credit)
will be applied toward your first production order.
(Contact Sales Dept. for Cost Sharing Program details)
- In the unlikely event, the results are
not delivered to you and in accordance with your specifications
and/or expectations, there is no obligation to continue
and NO CHARGES will be incurred or applied.
FOLLOW THESE EASY GUIDELINES:
- Contact EFC with samples, drawings
and applicable specifications
- Engineered Finishing Corporation will
contact you with option(s)
- Quotation will be forwarded to you
for “AFM Feasibility” prices
- Order placement, samples processed
and returned for your evaluation
- ONLY if satisfied, production fixtures
and units prices are quoted
- Order placement for production fixtures
and desired quantities
- Components processed in complete accordance
with your specifications
- Up to 50% of costs associated with
“AFM Feasibility”
will be credited to first production fixture and/or unit
cost(s) invoice
- PLEASE NOTE:
- The aforementioned guidelines are ONLY intended to provide
a general roadmap to a typical process cycle and the
actual process and costs associated with these processes
are unique to each component and specific to your requirements.
EFC reserves the right to deviate from these guidelines
as necessary on a case by case basis.
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Related Info go to page
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About Engineered Finishing go to page
Engineered Finishing Corporation ~ We remain a leading provider of surface enhancement, surface treatment,
abrasive flow machining, edge control and hand/automated deburring service through out the Midwest.
Engineered Finishing Corporation's unique approach has proven to be an asset to the manufactures that require
a higher standard of quality for a lower cost.
We also are a well-established supplier of related capital equipment and process consumable materials for the precision
casting and manufacturing/machining industriesÑincluding medical, aerospace, food handling and other industries that
require documented and controlled processes.
Minnesota
Address:
10044 Goodhue St. NE
Blaine, MN 55449-4401
Phone:
763.785.9278
Fax:
763.785.0646
Support
Email:
sales@engfinish.com
Wisconsin
Address:
2191 Aspen Street
St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
Phone:
715.483.0059
Fax:
715.483.1051
Support
Email:
engfinwi@centurytel.net
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