Using abrasive flow machining, Extrude Hone AFM can smooth and refine internal passages by forcing abrasive-filled polymer media through the component.
The media conforms to the passage geometry, making AFM especially useful for complex areas where conventional hand porting or polishing may be difficult.
Automotive AFM for Gasoline, Diesel, and Turbo Applications
Extrude Hone AFM's automotive AFM process can be evaluated for many engine configurations.
The company's existing automotive information identifies applications involving two-stroke engines, four-, six-, eight-, ten-, and twelve-cylinder engines, hemis, diesels, and turbocharged engines.
This flexibility makes the process relevant to many kinds of Houston performance and specialty automotive work.
Components That Can Benefit
Potential applications include:
- Intake manifolds
- Exhaust manifolds
- Turbo housings
- Turbo impellers
- Pumps
- Cylinders and internal passages
- Air pathways
- Fuel pathways
Intake manifolds are among the most common AFM automotive parts because improved internal flow there can directly support better cylinder filling.
Improving Air and Fuel Movement
The engine's ability to move air and fuel efficiently affects volumetric efficiency.
Internal roughness or restrictive areas can impede that movement.
AFM gradually removes raised areas and smooths the pathway.
Extrude Hone AFM reports fuel and air-flow increases of up to 25 percent for suitable automotive applications, with possible resulting gains in horsepower, torque, and overall engine performance.Those figures represent potential improvements rather than guaranteed results. Actual gains depend on the part and the overall engine configuration.
Houston Performance and Diesel Applications
Houston has a large automotive and truck market that includes diesel performance, racing, off-road applications, custom builds, classic vehicles, and specialty engine work.
For diesel or turbocharged engines, efficient movement of air through the system is particularly important.
AFM may be considered alongside other modifications when optimizing an engine's intake and flow pathways.
It can also be useful for valuable or custom components that cannot simply be replaced with an aftermarket high-flow alternative.
Material-Specific Processing
Automotive components may be cast from aluminum, iron, or other metals.
Extrude Hone AFM adapts the AFM process to the workpiece using appropriate abrasive size, concentration, media formulation, pressure, and tooling.The company's existing automotive location content notes, for example, that aluminum may use a lighter abrasive approach than cast iron.
Controlled Material Removal
AFM is not random internal grinding.
The amount of material removed is controlled through process variables.
Extrude Hone AFM notes that automotive flow applications may remove up to approximately 1 millimeter, or .040 inch, where appropriate.Request Houston Automotive AFM
Call (562) 531-2976 to discuss your Houston, TX engine component with Extrude Hone AFM. Intake manifolds, turbo parts, diesel components, and other suitable passages can be evaluated for automotive AFM.
FAQs
Can AFM be used on diesel engines?
Yes. Diesel applications are specifically included among Extrude Hone AFM's automotive AFM capabilities.
Can AFM process turbo components?
Yes. Suitable turbo impellers and housings can be evaluated for abrasive flow machining.
