Unidirectional abrasive flow machining

摘要

An abrasive flow machining and polishing apparatus is provided having a hydraulically actuated reciprocating piston (42) and a extrusion medium chamber (10) adapted to receive and extrude a visco-elastic dispersion of an abrasive unidirectionally across the internal surfaces of a workpiece (40) having internal passages (41) formed therein to perform abrasive work on said surfaces. A fixture (24) directs flow of the viscoelastic abrasive dispersion from said hydraulic extrusion medium chamber (10) into the inlet of internal passages (41) in a workpiece (40), while a collector (30) is set to gravitrimetrically collect flow of the viscoelastic abrasive dispersion as it extrudes from an outlet of the internal passages and drops into the collector. The extrusion medium chamber (10) is provided with an access port (16) to periodically receive gravimetric return flow of the viscoelastic abrasive dispersion from the collector (30) into extrusion medium chamber (10). The hydraulically actuated piston (42) intermittently withdraws from its extruding position within said extrusion medium chamber to open the extrusion medium chamber access port (16 ) and to permit gravimetric return flow of said viscoelastic abrasive dispersion through the opened port (16) and into said extrusion medium chamber(10). When the extrusion medium chamber is charged with the working medium, the operation is resumed in a continuing cyclic fashion until working is completed on the workpiece, whereupon it is replaced with another, and a new cycle is begun.