Abrasive flow machining uses flexible abrasive media to reach difficult surfaces inside the workpiece.
Depending on the component, AFM can improve surface condition, remove burrs, create controlled edge radii, remove thermal recast, and adjust airflow or fluid-flow characteristics.
The process has been closely tied to aerospace since it was first developed for aircraft hydraulic and fuel-system parts.
Aerospace Components That Benefit From AFM
Potential applications include:
- Compressor and turbine airfoils
- Blades and vanes
- Aircraft hydraulic bodies
- Fuel spray nozzles
- Fuel-control bodies
- Combustion liners
- Nozzles and diffusers
- Bearings
- Hubs, disks, and shafts
- EDM- and laser-machined features
Aerospace Manufacturing in Ohio
Columbus sits within Ohio's extensive aerospace, aviation, engine, automotive, and precision manufacturing economy.
Manufacturers and suppliers throughout central Ohio produce high-value components in which internal surfaces and edges can be critical.
Abrasive flow machining can provide the specialized finishing required when conventional tools cannot reach these features.
Improving Flow Consistency
Flow performance is particularly important in aerospace fuel and air systems.
For nozzles containing multiple holes, AFM can sometimes process all openings simultaneously.
Holes with greater restriction receive greater abrasive action, helping the group move toward more uniform dimensions and flow capability.
Hydraulic Passage Finishing
Aircraft hydraulic components may contain many internal intersections.
AFM can deburr and radius these features through the actual fluid pathways.
Depending on the geometry, several passages can be processed together, or individual intersections can be isolated with custom tooling to control media distribution.
Airfoil and Edge Finishing
AFM can improve the surface condition of compressor and turbine airfoils after milling, casting, EDM, or ECM.
It can also finish holes and attachment features on blades, disks, hubs, and shafts with controlled polished radii.
These applications demonstrate how AFM can address both broad surfaces and highly localized edges.
Removing Thermal Recast
Laser and EDM manufacturing can leave recast layers that need to be removed before an aerospace component meets its final specifications.
Extrude Hone AFM uses AFM for precise thermal recast removal in appropriate applications.Customized Process Development
AFM performance depends on tooling, pressure, media viscosity, abrasive concentration, abrasive size, component material, passage dimensions, and starting surface condition.
Extrude Hone AFM engineers the process around these variables for each aerospace component.Call (562) 531-2976 to discuss aerospace AFM for Columbus, OH and request a quote.
FAQs
Can AFM finish aircraft hydraulic components?
Yes. Aircraft hydraulic systems were among the original applications for abrasive flow machining.
Can AFM improve blade and airfoil surfaces?
Yes. Compressor and turbine airfoil finishing is a standard aerospace AFM application.
Can Columbus manufacturers send parts to Extrude Hone AFM?
Yes. Extrude Hone AFM provides aerospace AFM processing to customers across the United States.
