Abrasive flow machining uses conformable abrasive media that can reach restricted passages and blade surfaces beyond the practical limits of conventional polishing tools.
Surface Finish and Pump Performance
Flow efficiency depends partly on the condition of the surfaces that fluid encounters.
A rough impeller or housing creates more drag than a smoother one.
Extrude Hone AFM identifies poor surface finish and positive manufacturing buildup as factors that can reduce pumped volume. AFM can improve the turbine, impeller, and housing surfaces, supporting greater efficiency and potentially reducing stress on the pump motor.AFM for Restricted Internal Geometry
Abrasive flow machining is particularly effective when the surface is difficult to access.
Potential applications include:
- Impeller blade passages
- Turbine surfaces
- Pump housings
- Internal fluid channels
- Gas-flow passages
- Closely spaced blades
- Additive-manufactured internal paths
- Complex transitions
A hydraulic ram forces abrasive media through the workpiece.
The media molds itself to the component's geometry and removes raised features as it flows.
Bay Area Turbine and Pump Applications
The Bay Area supports semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, energy technology, water infrastructure, marine systems, industrial equipment, medical technology, and advanced manufacturing.
Pumps and turbine-like components may be used throughout these industries to move liquids and gases under carefully controlled conditions.
AFM can provide finishing for components where smooth flow paths and tight geometry are important.
Pump Components in High-Purity Systems
Bay Area semiconductor and technology industries also use precision fluid-handling equipment.
Although not every pump component has the same cleanliness requirements, smoother internal surfaces can reduce pronounced machining irregularities and create a more uniform flow path.
Extrude Hone AFM's surface-finish guidance emphasizes the importance of minimizing peaks, valleys, and microscopic edges in passageways where performance and contamination matter.Blade and Impeller Finishing
Impeller geometry can make conventional polishing extremely difficult.
Extrude Hone AFM specifically states that AFM can reach restricted areas between blades and uniformly remove the required amount of material throughout the impeller, pump, and turbine.This capability is particularly useful for components with narrow channels or complex blade curvature.
Additive-Manufactured Flow Components
Additive manufacturing makes it possible to create pump and turbine passages with complex geometry.
However, printed metal surfaces may contain pits, burrs, or roughness.
Extrude Hone AFM has specifically used AFM to finish additive-manufactured turbines, pumps, motors, and other components whose internal geometry cannot be polished effectively using traditional methods.Controlling the Finish
Tooling directs abrasive media toward the target surfaces and protects other features.
Extrude Hone AFM also controls:- Media-flow rate
- Pressure
- Media viscosity
- Abrasive size
- Abrasive concentration
- Process temperature
- Workpiece material
These variables determine both the amount of stock removed and the resulting surface finish.
Materials and Surface Targets
AFM can finish titanium, Inconel, superalloys, hardened metals, aluminum, bronze, copper, and other metals.
Representative finish improvements include 32 Ra to 8 Ra or better and 64 Ra to 16 Ra or better.
Request Bay Area Turbine and Pump Finishing
Call (562) 531-2976 to discuss turbine and pump flow finishing for San Francisco, CA with Extrude Hone AFM.
FAQs
Can AFM polish pump components used in semiconductor equipment?
Suitable precision pump and flow components can be evaluated for AFM according to their material and geometry.
Can AFM reach curved blade surfaces?
Yes. Conformable media is particularly useful for complicated and restricted blade geometry.
Does Extrude Hone AFM serve the Bay Area?
Yes. Extrude Hone AFM serves Bay Area manufacturers from Paramount, California.
