Extrude honing, also known as abrasive flow machining, is a process by which an abrasive-laden material is passed through a compartment to deburr or polish the surface. It can also be used to radius a compartment, which wouldn’t be possible to do manually. One of the biggest uses of abrasive flow machining is for surface finishing.
What is surface finishing and how can extrude honing help?
So, what is surface finishing and how can extrude honing help? Well, surface finishing is essential in any passage that needs to perform efficiently at a high level. Whether it’s food, fuel, air, oil, or even blood flowing through a passage, when a passage needs to be smooth, it’s essential that the surface is finished properly. When a surface is not perfectly smooth, there are negatives or peaks on it, this can significantly decrease effectiveness.
Consider a cannula that gets inserted into the body. What if that surface wasn’t smooth and there were burrs on the needle that snatched at the skin as it was inserted into someone’s vein? Or, what about a sausage manufacturing plant. If the equipment filling the casing doesn’t have a completely smooth surface, it can snag the casing, ripping it open and leading to a waste of product. Simply put, unfinished surfaces can cause contamination, flow restrictions, and other issues. With extrude honing, you can ensure that surfaces are finished to your exact specifications. Extrude honing can be applied to any metal surface, including superalloys, aluminum, bronze, copper, and titanium.
What are some of the typical finish improvements when using abrasive flow machining?
When it comes to surface finishing with abrasive flow machining, there are certain finish improvements that you will see. These include:
- 16-8ra improved to a 3-4ra
- 32ra improved to an 8ra or better
- 64ra improved to a 16ra or better
- 125ra improved to a 63ra or better
- 300ra to a 125ra or better
Who offers abrasive flow machining in the area?
If you are looking to take advantage of abrasive flow machining, you might wonder who offers it in your area. Thankfully, Extrude Hone AFM offers extrude honing services across the country. Whether you’re looking for surface finishing in Seattle, Washington, New York City, New York or somewhere in between, Extrude Hone AFM can help!
Get your free quote from Extrude Hone AFM!
Extrude Hone AFM has been in the business for 53 years. Since 1971, we’ve been working hard to provide exemplary extrude honing services across the country. Whether you’re looking for surface finishing services or other abrasive flow machining services, trust the experts at Extrude Hone AFM. To learn more about our surface finishing services contact us today at (562) 531-2976! We will work hard to meet your exact specifications to improve your passage performance.
