Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe
Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe
(OP)
I am trying to come up with some polishing ideas. We cut a radius into the ID of 304ss bar. We then usually hand polish these parts (ID can be around 10" or so) We have recently had some smaller units and hand polishing is not practical.
One idea was a rubberized abrasive ball (in place of the cutter in the lathe)used to follow the tool path. My machinists have laughed me out of the shop for that ides this morning!
Any ideas are very welcome and appreciated...
One idea was a rubberized abrasive ball (in place of the cutter in the lathe)used to follow the tool path. My machinists have laughed me out of the shop for that ides this morning!
Any ideas are very welcome and appreciated...





RE: Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe
http://www.cogsdill.com/
RE: Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe
-trying to achieve 2-10 microinch finish depending on part size
Burnishing an ID radius (5"R-15"R) seems like it could be difficult.
RE: Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe
http://www.cratex.com/lamindx.htm
RE: Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe
can you post a drawing of the geometry.
RE: Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe
I looked into burnishing a bit. Seems promising. Got some emails out..thanks for that suggestion...might be pricey though..
I am looking to use current lathes to do this work. I need the whole radius and ID polished. Small id can range from 2" to 10"
Diagram attached
RE: Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe
I am interested in what approaches you refer to in relation to cratex? Is it just geometry of the tools? compound hardness and grits?
Or is there something else you had in mind. They were not much help on the phone or emails...I did get some samples however...that i dont think i can use...to rough and to hard..
RE: Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe
MX Laminated Abrasives
I would definitely give Brush Reasearch a call. They have all sort of flexible honing/polishing devices.
http://www.brushresearch.com/brush-types.php?c1=4
You might also give Micro-Surface a call as again I've had very good luck with their products and technical people, hopefull you will get the same service.
https:/
Something to look at in the future.
http://www.extrudehone.com/afmpro.html
RE: Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe
an other angle besides the other nice suggestions.
It is my opinion that it will be very difficult to obtain a (2) micro from a lathe. It has to be machined to at least a 4 micro then it can be polished to a 2 micro.
Using diamond paste starting at 45 micron then 10 micron, then 5 micron. any way this would make it easier.
Some one would have to do a lot hand polishing with emery.
My grinder can get a 6-4 micro then we polish to a 2 micro
on small gear shafts OD's.
Looking at the geometry you may need to make a tool that
can grind the ID in one shot. Using CBN, or silicon carbide, then polish.
RE: Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe
Elliott Tool Technologies
937-253-6133
www.elliott-tool.com
Software For Metalworking
http://closetolerancesoftware.com
RE: Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe
-While burnishing is cool and would probably give the desired result I dont have the time or support to start a process like this...
As far as cratex goes...I wish i got better service because I will be proceeding with their product. I am not sure of the reasons to use use rubberized vs laminated (I have laminated for testing FYI)
I actually gave up on requesting a distributor list for 2 reasons
-They gave me individual names..when i called these folks informed me they no longer sold the product!!
-I challenge you to find someone who sells the laminated type balls....not easy...I did find http://www.grithappens.com/contact.php