Contributing Editor: Dave Davidson, Deburring/Finishing Technologist 509.563.9859 ddavidson@deburring-tech-group.com | dryfinish.wixsite.com/iso-finish
If you have parts that need edge or surface finishing improvement and would like to have FREE sample part processing and a quotation developed for finishing the parts contact Dave Davidson at ddavidson@deburring-tech-group.com I can also be reached at 509.563.9859
Information about equipment for bringing Centrifugal Iso-Finishing capability to your facility is also available…
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Above: examples parts that have been processed to develop isotropic surfaces
This diagram shows positively skewed and non-isotropic surface characteristics that are typical of machined or ground components. This type of surface condition is undesirable for parts from a functional perspective and needs to be modified if parts are subject to stress or wear in operation in order to improve the performance and service life of the parts. (Diagram by: Jack Clark, Surface Analytics, LLC and the SME Deburring and Surface ConditioingTechnicall Group)
This diagram shows the difference between a typical Gaussian machined surface (upper) and a surface that has been modified by attenuating the surface peaks (lower) and improving the bearing load characteristics of the part. Notice especially how in the lower graphs how the surface is negatively skewed (more valleys than peaks). An important consideration for lubrication retention on cooperating parts. (Diagram by: Jack Clark, Surface Analytics, LLC and the SME Deburring and Surface ConditioingTechnicall Group)
DIAGRAM: (L) Typical machined or ground surface vs. (R) Plateaued or Planarized surface modification develops negatively skewed surface profiles from Centrifugal Isotropic Micro-Finishing. These modified surfaces provide much better load-bearing and lube distribution characteristics to cooperating parts.. These
Developing “Isotropic” surfaces can be an important surface attribute to develop when seeking to improve the performance, functionality, and longevity of components used in critical applications. Many components can have service life extended, wear resistance improved and premature fatigue or fracture prevented if surface characteristics are modified with high-energy and high-intensity mechanical surface finish methods. These kinds of surface finishing methods improve overall part quality by affecting the part surface in a number of different ways simultaneously.
(1) Isotropic Surface Development. In contrast to machined or ground surfaces, Isotropic surfaces are non-directional or random in character. They do not exhibit a surface pattern of parallel lines, grooves or notches common to all machining methods (S This is a desirable surface characteristic functionally as the overall amount of surface available for bearing loads can be increased dramatically and machining notches which provide potential failure-related crack propagation points are attenuated substantially. Close in importance to isotropicity is the development of (2) negatively skewed surfaces that are plateaued or planarized
The photos above clearly show the difference between isotropic surfaces and surfaces that are only finely finished. In each case, only the part shown in the bottom left corner can be said to have isotropic surface attributes. It is only this part, finished with centrifugal isotropic finishing, that can be said to have a random surface characterization with the parallel lines or grooves evident in the other three examples removed (or blended in) (Photos by: Jack Clark, Surface Analytics, LLC and the SME Deburring and Surface ConditioingTechnicall Group)
(2) Negatively or neutrally skewed surfaces that are plateaued or planarized (see top set of diagrams in the photo). All conventional machining or fabricating methods (including: machining, turning, grinding, EDM, casting, forging etc.) develop positively skewed surfaces in which the predominant surface characteristic are the peaks and asperities of he surface profile. This can be disadvantageous as it can cause part life and performance deficits in many applications where parts are subject to wear and/or repeated stress or strain. Related to these is a further surface conditioning attribute of high-intensity mass finishing:
Isotropic Surfaces under high magnification: These scanning electron microphotographs show the different between a cast turbine blade surface prior to centrifugal isotropic finishing modification (upper) and a surface that has been finished (lower). Note that this is now a negatively skewed surface with much more functional from an aerodynamic sense, much more receptive to coatings, and much less prone to potential crack propagation. (Diagram by: Jack Clark, Surface Analytics, LLC and the SME Deburring and Surface ConditioingTechnicall Group)
(3) Compressive stress generation, like shot peening these kinds of finishing processes induce compressive stress and cold-hardening effects to the part while producing the sophisticated surface finish effects mentioned in (1) and (2). As all features and areas of the part are processed identically and simultaneously, stress equilibrium within the part can be developed that would be difficult to replicate with other surface conditioning methods.
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Above: Isotropic Micro-Finishing Part Photography by Mark Riley, BV Products. Developing Isotropic Micro-Finishes can have a significant effect on performance values of parts such as these high-performance racing engine components among these are: Reduce Friction, Vibration and Noise, Improve shifting, Extend life, Reduce Lubricant Temperature Improve performance and horsepower.
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HOW DO YOU PRODUCE isotropic micro-finished surfaces that are negatively skewed? (See operational Videos below)
Centrifugal Iso-Finishing Technology
Centrifugal iso-finishing (CIF) is a high-energy finishing method, which has come into widespread acceptance in the last few years. Although not nearly as universal in application as vibratory finishing, a long list of important CBF applications have been developed in the last few decades.
Similar in some respects to barrel finishing, in that a drum-type container is partially filled with media and set in motion to create a sliding action of the contents, CBF is different from other finishing methods in some significant ways. Among these are the high pressures developed in terms of media contact with parts, the unique sliding action induced by rotational and centrifugal forces, and accelerated abrading or finishing action. As is true with other high energy processes, because time cycles are much abbreviated, surface finishes can be developed in minutes, which might tie up conventional equipment for many hours.
Centrifugal Barrel Finishing principles – high-intensity finishing is performed with barrels mounted on the periphery of a turret. The turret rotates providing the bulk of the centrifugal action, the barrels counter-rotate to provide the sliding abrasive action on parts.
The principle behind CBF is relatively straightforward. Opposing barrels or drums are positioned circumferentially on a turret. (Most systems have either two or four barrels mounted on the turret; some manufacturers favor a vertical and others a horizontal orientation for the turret.) As the turret rotates at high speed, the barrels are counterrotated, creating very high G-forces or pressures, as well as considerable media sliding action within the drums. Pressures as high as 50 Gs have been claimed for some equipment. The more standard equipment types range in size from 1 ft3 (30 L) to 10 ft3, although much larger equipment has been built for some applications.
Media used in these types of processes tend to be a great deal smaller than the common sizes chosen for barrel and vibratory processes. The smaller media, in such a high-pressure environment, are capable of performing much more work than would be the case in lower energy equipment. They also enhance access to all areas of the part and contribute to the ability of the equipment to develop very fine finishes. In addition to the ability to produce meaningful surface finish effects rapidly, and to produce fine finishes, CBF has the ability to impart compressive stress into critical parts that require extended metal fatigue resistance. Small and more delicate parts can also be processed with confidence, as the unique sliding action of the process seems to hold parts in position relative to each other, and there is generally little difficulty experienced with part impingement. Dry process media can be used in certain types of equipment and is useful for light deburring, polishing, and producing very refined isotropic super-finishes.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY – David A. Davidson, [ddavidson@deburring-tech-group.com]
Mr. Davidson is a deburring/surface finishing specialist and consultant. He has contributed technical articles to Metal Finishing and other technical and trade publications and is the author of the Mass Finishing section in the current Metal Finishing Guidebook and Directory. He has also written and lectured extensively for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Society of Plastics Engineers, American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Association and the Mass Finishing Job Shops Association. Mr. Davidson’s specialty is finishing process and finishing product development.
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