Abrasive flow machining uses a flexible abrasive media capable of following internal geometry, making it useful for surfaces that cannot be reached efficiently by hand polishing or conventional deburring tools.
AFM was originally developed for critical aircraft fuel and hydraulic components and has since expanded into numerous aerospace finishing applications.
Common Aerospace AFM Applications
Extrude Hone AFM can evaluate aerospace components for:- Airfoil polishing
- Turbine and compressor finishing
- Internal hydraulic deburring
- Fuel-system component finishing
- Flow-hole adjustment
- Edge radiusing
- EDM or laser recast removal
- Combustion liner finishing
- Nozzle and diffuser finishing
AFM may be used after casting, milling, EDM, or ECM.
Kansas City Aerospace Manufacturing
Kansas City and the surrounding region support aerospace, aviation, transportation, precision machining, and advanced manufacturing.
Suppliers serving these sectors may manufacture high-value parts containing detailed internal passages and features.
AFM is particularly useful in these applications because it can use the existing internal path to deliver the finishing media.
Fuel and Air Flow Consistency
A fuel or air nozzle may contain many openings drilled around a component.
If the holes do not flow consistently, AFM can sometimes improve uniformity by processing them at the same time.
More restrictive holes receive more abrasive action, and repeated cycles can help equalize the opening dimensions and resulting flow.
Finishing Turbine and Compressor Components
AFM can improve airfoil surface conditions after milling, casting, EDM, or ECM.
For cast impeller-type components, polishing blade surfaces can also improve the flow path and bring blade dimensions into closer agreement.
That can be useful on high-speed rotating components where both flow efficiency and balance are important.
Edge and Recast Finishing
Extrude Hone AFM can generate controlled radii on appropriate aerospace holes and attachment features.AFM can also precisely remove thermal recast left by EDM and laser manufacturing processes.
These different operations can be engineered around the geometry and performance requirements of the part.
Process Customization
The AFM process is adjusted through tooling, pressure, media viscosity, abrasive concentration, particle size, material, and geometry.
Because these variables determine where and how quickly material is removed, aerospace applications are developed individually.
Call (562) 531-2976 to discuss Kansas City, MO aerospace AFM with Extrude Hone AFM.
FAQs
Can AFM finish aerospace parts with multiple passages?
Yes. Some multi-passage parts can be processed simultaneously, while others require isolated flow through custom tooling.
Can AFM remove EDM recast?
Yes. Thermal recast removal is a standard aerospace application for AFM.
Does Extrude Hone AFM serve Kansas City?
Yes. Extrude Hone AFM provides aerospace AFM services nationwide.
