Abrasive flow machining is a process used in various industries throughout the world. One of the most common industries that uses abrasive flow machining is the medical industry.
What is abrasive flow machining?
Abrasive flow machining (AFM) is also called extrude honing or abrasive flow deburring. This process was developed in the 1960s and finishes internal surfaces. Abrasive flow machining involves pushing an abrasive laden substance back and forth through a workpiece using hydraulic pressure. This substance often has the consistency of putty and can be customized based on viscosity and abrasiveness to provide results that match the customer’s specifications within agreed upon tolerances. Abrasive flow machining is used to smooth rough surfaces, polish surfaces, and even radius compartments to uniformly increase the size.
What are the benefits of using abrasive flow machining for medical components?
Abrasive flow machining is used in many different industries. One of these industries is the medical industry. There are two main benefits of using abrasive flow machining for medical equipment.
The first is that deburring and radiusing sharp edges contribute to a much smoother, less destructive introduction into the human body where tissues could otherwise be damaged by sharp edges and the like. Imagine inserting a needle into a patient’s vein that isn’t smooth and polished. Could you picture the damage that would cause to such sensitive tissues? With abrasive flow machining, you can ensure that your medical cannulas and other equipment have perfectly smooth edges so they will not inflict any damage.
The second benefit of using abrasive flow machining on medical components is that the surface improvement achieved by polishing provides a finished surface that resists bacterial contamination. That’s because extrude honing eliminates the surface negatives commonly inherent on most machined surfaces where bacteria like to hide.
Who offers abrasive flow machining services for the medical industry?
If you are looking for abrasive flow machining services for your medical components, Extrude Hone AFM is the company to contact. At Extrude Hone AFM, we have been providing quality abrasive flow machining services for over 53 years. We have a process that can be completely customized to meet your needs and the experience to get the job done in a timely manner.
Contact Extrude Hone AFM today for a free quote for your medical components!
The great thing about Extrude Hone AFM—besides our 53 years of experience—is that we offer free quotes! Whatever your needs are, we can help! Give us a call today at (562) 531-2976 to request a quote for abrasive flow machining your medical components.
To learn more about the reliable and quality extrude honing services that we offer, visit us on the web at Extrude Hone AFM.
