Abrasive flow machining uses a flexible abrasive media to reach difficult internal surfaces and can perform polishing, deburring, controlled radiusing, recast removal, and flow-path adjustment.
AFM's history is closely tied to aerospace because the process was originally developed for critical aircraft hydraulic and fuel-system parts.
Aerospace AFM Applications
Extrude Hone AFM commonly provides AFM for:- Compressor and turbine airfoils
- Blades and vanes
- Hydraulic components
- Fuel spray nozzles
- Fuel-control bodies
- Hubs, shafts, and disks
- Combustion liners
- Diffusers and nozzles
- Bearings
- EDM- or laser-machined features
The process can improve surface condition after milling, casting, EDM, and ECM.
Pittsburgh Aerospace and Precision Manufacturing
Pittsburgh supports advanced manufacturing, robotics, energy, materials engineering, defense, and aerospace-related production.
Manufacturers working with high-performance components may encounter features that are difficult to deburr or polish conventionally.
AFM can provide precise finishing without needing rigid-tool access to every surface.
Flow-Path Improvement
Air and fluid flow are critical to many aerospace systems.
Extrude Hone AFM uses AFM to adjust flow resistance in suitable blades, vanes, nozzles, combustion liners, and diffusers.Where several passages or holes must deliver similar flow, AFM can also take advantage of higher restriction in undersized pathways to produce greater localized material removal.
Edge Finishing for Fatigue-Sensitive Components
Aerospace blades, shafts, hubs, disks, and attachment features can require carefully controlled edges.
AFM can generate polished radii on selected features rather than leaving sharp or irregular machined edges.
Extrude Hone AFM identifies this application as a method used to improve mechanical fatigue strength on appropriate aerospace parts.Recast Removal and Rework
AFM can remove thermal recast produced by EDM or laser operations.
It may also be used for certain aerospace rework applications, including removal of carbon and coke deposits and improvement of surface integrity or eddy-current inspection response.
Every Aerospace Process Is Engineered
The amount of material removed depends on component geometry, starting roughness, workpiece material, tooling, pressure, abrasive characteristics, and media viscosity.
Extrude Hone AFM develops these variables specifically for each workpiece.Call (562) 531-2976 to discuss aerospace AFM for Pittsburgh, PA components.
FAQs
Can AFM be used for aerospace rework?
Yes. Suitable rework applications can include removal of deposits and improvement of component surface condition.
Can AFM finish attachment holes?
Yes. Controlled finishing of holes and attachment features is an established aerospace AFM application.
