What is superfinishing?
The perfect finish through tape and stone superfinishing.
Full Surface Contact for Perfectly Machined Surfaces
Superfinishing is a chip removing machining process, but not one that is comparable to any other. In contrast to the classic lathe turning and grinding methods, there is full surface contact between the tool and the workpiece.
This is precisely the feature that produces the unique characteristics of a perfectly machined surface. By overlaying workpiece rotation and tool oscillation, each individual grain travels along a sinusoidal line, a feature typical for this process.
All the grinding grains in contact with the workpiece create a machining pattern by overlaying individual sinusoidal lines that cross each other at a particular angle. This generates a defined pattern of grooves and plateaux, which results in the particular advantages of the superfinishing process.
The grooves act as channels to aid uniform distribution of the lubricant, while the plateaux guarantee a high percentage contact area. The tools in use are either bonded grinding compound on a solid substrate, such as ceramic, or on a flexible backing such as textile tape.
Uniform Lubricant Distribution and Higher Bearing Ratio
- Less friction and lower wear.
- Low noise levels and low energy costs.
- Safe application with short machining times.
- Lower tooling costs and low capital investment.
- High degree of flexibility.
- Reduction in surface roughness.
- Increase of bearing ratio to over 90% thanks to plateau-like surface texture.
- Improvement in microgeometry regarding roundness, waviness, and cylindricity.
- Optimization of tribological and run-dry properties by means of cross-hatch finishing.
Surface Quality Made by Superfinishing
Uniform lubricant distribution, higher bearing ratio, improved microgeometry, and optimized peak heights are workpiece qualities made by superfinishing. The process is used where form, contact area, friction, and surface roughness are critical to part performance.