MACHINING SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

A method and apparatus for processing a metallic workpiece with defined edges (e.g., a gear) comprises media blasting of the workpiece by directing a first media against exposed surfaces on the workpiece to increase the root strength of the gear, the blasting causing the defined edges to be radiused or mushroomed, ceasing the media blasting, loading the workpiece into a finishing apparatus, and subjecting the workpiece to a finishing process with a second media, the exposed surfaces on the workpiece being subjected to the finishing process to reduce the radiused edges on the workpiece created from the media blasting. The process of moving the workpiece to the spindle-finishing apparatus from the media blasting may be performed automatically by a machine. Once the workpiece has been subjected to the finishing process with the second media, it may be removed from the spindle-finishing machine, washed, and rinsed with rust inhibitor whereby wear properties of the workpiece are enhanced.

主权项

1. A method of processing a workpiece, the method comprising:
forming the workpiece with one or more defined edges, the one or more defined edges having a cross-sectional shape that includes at least one tip; subjecting the workpiece to a media blasting process with a first media, the media blasting process forming the tip of the one or more defined edges into a radiused tip, the radiused tip having a first width; and subjecting the workpiece to a finishing process with a second media after the media blasting process, the finishing process causing the width of the radiused tip to become a second width, wherein the second width is less than the first width.