Device and method for surface machining a workpiece

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for surface machining. The apparatus for surface machining a workpiece, i.e., for abrasive flow machining, has at least two opposite pressure devices, such that the workpiece to be machined is arranged between the opposite pressure devices and an abrasive can be moved past the workpiece to be machined. According to the invention, the opposite pressure devices can be pressurized with a defined pressure to establish a uniform pressure in the entire abrasive on every side of the workpiece to be machined. The movement of the abrasive relative to the workpiece to be machined is adjustable by a movement of the pressure devices in the same direction while maintaining the uniform pressure.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for surface machining a workpiece for abrasive flow machining, having at least two opposite pressure devices, wherein the workpiece to be machined is arranged between the opposite pressure devices, and wherein an abrasive is moved past the workpiece to be machined, wherein the opposite pressure devices are pressurized with a defined pressure, a uniform pressure is established in an entirety of the abrasive on every side of the workpiece to be machined, and the movement of the abrasive relative to the workpiece to be machined is adjusted by a movement of the pressure devices in a same direction while maintaining the uniform pressure.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the workpiece to be machined is clamped between the opposite pressure devices by means of a mechanism.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the pressure devices are mounted to at least one cross member, and the movement of the abrasive relative to the workpiece to be machined is adjusted by a movement of each cross member.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the two opposite pressure devices, between which the workpiece to be machined is clamped by means of a mechanism, include a first upper pressure device mounted to a first horizontally extending cross member and a second lower pressure device mounted to a second horizontally extending cross member.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the two cross members are interconnected and the two pressure devices are displaceable by a vertical movement of the two cross members relative to the mechanism, such that this vertical movement of the two cross members is used to adjust the movement of the abrasive relative to the workpiece to be machined.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein each cross member is assigned a controllable drive unit to ensure a uniform flow rate of the abrasive relative to the workpiece to be machined.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising a controllable cooling and/or heating device for the abrasive to ensure a uniform temperature of the abrasive.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising at least one guide element positioned in a region of the workpiece to be machined to influence the moving direction and/or flow rate of the abrasive.  
     
     
         21 . A method for surface machining a workpiece for abrasive flow machining, wherein an abrasive is moved past the workpiece to be machined, wherein opposite pressure devices are used to establish a uniform pressure in an entirety of the abrasive on every side of the workpiece to be machined, and the abrasive is displaced relative to the workpiece to be machined by a movement of the opposite pressure devices while maintaining the uniform pressure.  
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein a flow rate of the abrasive relative to the workpiece to be machined is controlled to a constant value.  
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein a temperature of the abrasive is controlled to a constant value.  
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein a moving direction and/or flow rate of the abrasive is influenced.  
     
     
         25 . A device for surface machining a workpiece for abrasive flow machining, comprising: 
 first and second opposite pressure devices adapted to receive the workpiece therebetween, the opposite pressure devices positioned to allow an abrasive to be moved past the workpiece,    wherein a uniform pressure in the abrasive on each side of the workpiece is established, and    wherein a movement of the abrasive relative to the workpiece is adjustable by moving the opposite pressure devices in a same direction while maintaining the uniform pressure.    
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , further comprising a clamping mechanism for holding the workpiece between the opposite pressure devices.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 25 , further comprising a cross member mounted to at least one of the pressure devices, wherein the movement of the abrasive relative to the workpiece is adjustable by a movement of the cross member.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the first pressure device is mounted to a first horizontally extending cross member and the second pressure device is mounted to a second horizontally extending cross member.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the two cross members are interconnected, and wherein a vertical movement of the two cross members relative to the mechanism adjusts the movement of the abrasive relative to the workpiece.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 25 , further comprising first and second controllable drive units, assigned to the first and second cross members, respectively, the controllable drive units operable to ensure a uniform flow rate of the abrasive relative to the workpiece.  
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 25 , further comprising a controllable temperature device to maintain the abrasive at a uniform temperature.  
     
     
         32 . A method for surface machining a workpiece for abrasive flow machining, comprising the steps of: 
 moving an abrasive past the workpiece;    using opposite pressure devices to establish a uniform pressure in the abrasive on every side of the workpiece, and    displacing the abrasive relative to the workpiece by moving the opposite pressure devices while maintaining the uniform pressure.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising controlling at a constant rate a flow rate of the abrasive relative to the workpiece.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising controlling at a constant value a temperature of the abrasive.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein a moving direction of the abrasive is influenced.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32  wherein a flow rate of the abrasive is influenced.