Abrasive flow machining (AFM) is particularly well suited to hydraulic components because these parts often contain intricate, interconnected pathways that conventional deburring tools cannot reach consistently. Extrude Hone AFM uses abrasive-laden polymer media that flows through the component under controlled hydraulic pressure, allowing the media to contact burrs and sharp edges throughout the selected passage.
Why Hydraulic Components Need Thorough Deburring
Hydraulic manifolds and valve bodies can contain dozens or even hundreds of intersecting passages.
Drilling and machining these features may leave microscopic or visible burrs where holes intersect. A burr that remains inside a hydraulic system can potentially break loose during operation, creating contamination that may contribute to component wear or premature failure.
Extrude Hone AFM specifically identifies this as a concern in high-pressure hydraulic applications, where conventional deburring may not reach every section of a complex passage equally.AFM provides a way to reach those internal features through the passages themselves.
How Abrasive Flow Deburring Works
A polymer media containing abrasive particles is forced through the hydraulic component.
The media behaves like a flexible finishing tool, conforming to the geometry of the internal passage.
As it moves, abrasive particles contact raised surface features and remove controlled amounts of material.
This makes AFM useful for:
- Hydraulic manifolds
- Valve bodies
- Cross-drilled holes
- Intersecting passages
- Fluid-control components
- Pump-related hydraulic parts
- Precision hydraulic fittings
- Other difficult internal flow paths
The process can remove burrs, smooth surfaces, and create controlled edge radii where required.
Deburring Multiple Intersections
One of the major advantages of AFM is the ability to work on multiple connected features.
Extrude Hone AFM notes that even a hydraulic valve body containing more than 100 intersecting holes can often be processed with a fixture designed to direct media through the appropriate flow paths.In many cases, multiple intersections can be deburred and radiused during the same process.
The exact approach depends on the component geometry, so tooling and process development remain critical.
Los Angeles Hydraulic Manufacturing Applications
Los Angeles and Southern California support aerospace, industrial machinery, transportation, fluid-control equipment, defense, and precision manufacturing.
Hydraulic components used in these industries may operate under demanding pressure and cleanliness requirements.
A burr hidden deep inside a manifold may be impossible to reach manually but still matter to the performance of the finished system.
AFM gives manufacturers a specialized method for addressing these features.
Controlling Material Removal
Hydraulic deburring must remove unwanted material without unnecessarily changing critical dimensions.
Extrude Hone AFM controls the process through variables including:- Tooling
- Media-flow pressure
- Media viscosity
- Abrasive concentration
- Abrasive particle size
- Passage geometry
- Workpiece material
Surface Finishing and Edge Radiusing
Hydraulic AFM can accomplish more than basic burr removal.
The process may also improve internal surface finish and produce specified radii on passage intersections.
Extrude Hone AFM emphasizes that these improvements can be achieved while working within blueprint tolerances when the process is properly planned.Request Hydraulic Component Deburring
Los Angeles manufacturers can send hydraulic components to Extrude Hone AFM's Paramount, California facility for evaluation and processing.
Call (562) 531-2976 to discuss your manifold, valve body, passage geometry, and deburring requirements.
Hydraulic Deburring FAQs
Can AFM deburr a manifold with many intersecting passages?
Yes. In suitable components, custom tooling can direct media through numerous passages and allow many intersections to be processed during the same operation.
Can AFM radius the edges while removing burrs?
Yes. Deburring and controlled edge radiusing can be performed together when the process is developed for that result.
