Polishing radius I.D. on a lathe

[JAYDEE23]

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...

 

[CoryPad]

How about a burnishing tool? Here is one supplier:

http://www.cogsdill.com/

 

[JAYDEE23]

some more info

-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.

 

[unclesyd]

You might want to contact Cratex with your problem as they have several approaches to resolution.

http://www.cratex.com/lamindx.htm

 

[mfgenggear]

ID Grind or cnc jig grind

can you post a drawing of the geometry.

 

[JAYDEE23]

I am about to start some test runs with cratex balls but I am a bit skeptikal about the outcome. In theory it sound nice but we will see.

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

 

[JAYDEE23]

Unclesyd
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..

 

[unclesyd]

Cratex has two types of abrasive media system the Rubberized and the laminated system. Here is another company at one time was very customer orientated, evidently that went out on a reorganization like so many others.

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://micro-surface.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=272_7

Something to look at in the future.

http://www.extrudehone.com/afmpro.html

 

[mfgenggear]

Jadee23

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.

 

[mrainey]

This company has many years of experience with burnishing tools designed to be used with CNC lathes. In the past, they have advertised types suitable for profiling. I'd recommend that you call them.


Elliott Tool Technologies
937-253-6133

http://www.elliott-tool.com

Software For Metalworking

http://closetolerancesoftware.com

 

[JAYDEE23]

All the responses are much appreciated...

-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