Are you working in the medical field and wondering how abrasive flow machining can help the industry? Well, there are many ways that abrasive flow machining can help from making surgeries safer to decreasing the risk of infections. How, you might ask? Extrude Hone AFM is here to answer all of your frequently asked questions regarding abrasive flow machining and the medical field. Keep reading to learn more about abrasive flow machining and how it works.
What are the benefits of using AFM to finish medical components?
There are many benefits to using abrasive flow machining to finish medical components. These benefits include:
- 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.
- The surface improvement achieved by polishing provides a finished surface that resists bacterial contamination by eliminating the surface negatives commonly inherent on most machined surfaces.
Can Extrude Hone debar from the inside to radius that edge, as well as the outside?
Yes! As long as the component has a way for our media to flow in and out, that edge can be deburred or radiuses to prevent damage to the tissue. Using abrasive flow machining, we can also polish the walls to reduce the risk of bacteria collecting and contaminating the part.
How do you control the amount of material removed?
There are many ways to control the amount of material removed. Through our customized process, based on the type, hardness, and density of the workpiece, we can vary the following components to achieve the desired results:
- The media flow rate or speed of each pass or cycle
- Media carrier viscosity: high, medium, low, or different combinations of 2 will change the characteristics of the media's effectiveness on different materials and hole sizes
- Abrasive particle size: ranging from a fine powder-like 1000-grit to 8-grit comparable to small rocks or gravel
- Abrasive concentration per pound of media
What dimensional tolerances can Extrude Hone hold?
At Extrude Hone AFM, we can meet very strict tolerances. We can meet your tolerance within one-ten-thousandths of an inch (.00001). For comparison, and to show how precise our process is, a human hair is approximately three to four-thousandths of an inch in diameter (.003-.004).
Contact Extrude Hone AFM today for help with your AFM project!
If you work in the medical devices industry, it is important to understand how abrasive flow machining can help finish your devices and make them safer for patients. With over 53 years of experience, you can trust Extrude Hone AFM to assist with that. Give us a call at (562) 531-2976 to discuss your needs and see how our team can help.
To learn more about the reliable and quality extrude honing and abrasive flow machining services that we offer, visit us on the web at Extrude Hone AFM
