Abrasive flow machining can smooth internal passages and complex shapes by moving flexible abrasive media through the workpiece.
Because the media conforms to the geometry it encounters, AFM can finish surfaces that may be extremely difficult to polish using conventional rigid tools.
Internal Surface Finishing With AFM
Machining often leaves visible tool marks and microscopic raised surface features.
On an exposed surface, these can be addressed using many conventional polishing methods.
Inside a component, access becomes the main problem.
AFM allows Extrude Hone AFM to use hydraulic pressure to push abrasive media through the target pathway.
The media effectively becomes a flexible finishing tool that molds itself to the component's internal shape.
Flow Polishing Applications
AFM may be used for:
- Automotive air and fuel passages
- Aerospace components
- Hydraulic manifolds
- Pump and turbine parts
- Precision dies
- Molds and tooling
- Medical components
- Additive-manufactured internal channels
The process may also perform deburring or radiusing where required by the application.
Kansas City Manufacturing Needs
The Kansas City region supports automotive, aerospace, transportation, industrial machinery, and precision manufacturing.
Many of these industries depend on parts containing internal passages that influence airflow, fluid movement, lubrication, cooling, or other component functions.
A smoother passage may be required to achieve engineering specifications or improve the condition of the flow path.
Extrude Hone AFM has decades of experience applying AFM to these types of internal surfaces.Surface Finish Examples
For suitable applications, Extrude Hone AFM lists representative finish improvements such as 16–8 Ra to approximately 3–4 Ra and 32 Ra to 8 Ra or better.
A starting surface around 64 Ra may be improved to approximately 16 Ra or better.
These are examples rather than fixed promises.
The final finish depends on passage geometry, workpiece material, starting roughness, media, abrasive selection, and processing variables.
Polishing Difficult Materials
AFM is not limited to easily machined metals.
Extrude Hone AFM can work with titanium, Inconel, superalloys, and hardened materials as well as softer metals such as aluminum, bronze, and copper.This range supports applications throughout automotive, aerospace, tooling, and industrial manufacturing.
Tooling and Repeatability
Custom tooling helps support the workpiece and direct the media exactly where abrasive action is needed.
Once the process has been developed for a particular component, those controlled conditions can be applied to repeat parts.
Call (562) 531-2976 to discuss flow polishing for Kansas City, MO with Extrude Hone AFM.
FAQs
Can AFM polish complex automotive passages?
Yes. Internal fuel and air passages are established applications for abrasive flow machining.
Will AFM change the entire component?
Tooling can direct media toward selected areas and protect surfaces that do not require abrasive flow.
Does Extrude Hone AFM serve Kansas City, Missouri?
Yes. Extrude Hone AFM serves customers throughout the United States from Paramount, California.
