Automatic polishing device for surface finishing of complex-curved-profile parts

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic polishing device and the method of using the device for the surface finishing of a workpiece such as complex-curved-profile parts. Automatic polishing is performed by mounting the workpiece on an apparatus which enables different orientations along multiple axes and immerging the workpiece in a controlled flow of abrasive slurry. The device of the present invention provides a uniform finish on free form surface. It is also precise, low cost, non-destructive, and non-polluting.

What we claim: 
     
         1 . An automatic polishing device for the surface finishing of a workpiece comprising
 at least one container for holding an abrasive slurry;   one or more driving apparatuses for controlling the relative movement between said abrasive slurry and the workpiece in said abrasive slurry; and   one or more mounting apparatuses for mounting at least one workpiece inside said abrasive slurry,   wherein said one or more mounting apparatuses automatically adjust the orientation of said at least one workpiece along one or more axes in a controlled manner.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive slurry comprises one or more of
 a plurality of abrasive particles, a carrying liquid, a plurality of elastic polymer particles, and/or a plurality of magnetic particles.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive slurry is magnetic or non-magnetic. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said abrasive particles are silicon carbide (SiC) and/or aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ). 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more driving apparatuses provides a controlled driving force for controlling the relative movement between said abrasive slurry and said at least one workpiece in said abrasive slurry by exerting mechanical force, electromagnetic force, or a combination of both mechanical and electromagnetic forces. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more driving apparatuses comprises one or more of liquid pumps, magnetic boards, rotating stages and/or rotary stages. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said relative movement is carried out by
 immerging said at least one workpiece in a flow of said abrasive slurry or by moving said at least one workpiece in a static abrasive slurry.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said orientation of said at least one workpiece varies along one axis, two axes, or three axes. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one container is circular; said one or more driving apparatuses is a liquid pump; said one or more mounting apparatuses comprises a three-axis rotary stage to enable the orientation of said at least one workpiece along three different axes in a controlled manner; said abrasive slurry comprises a plurality of abrasive particles and a carrying liquid driven by said liquid pump to create a flow of said abrasive slurry. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one container is circular; said driving apparatus is a magnetic board situated below said container; said one or more mounting apparatuses comprises a three-axis rotary stage to enable the orientation of said at least one workpiece along three different axes in a controlled manner; said abrasive slurry comprises a plurality of abrasive particles, a plurality of elastic polymer particles and a plurality of magnetic particles, and wherein said abrasive particles of about 1-100 μm are pre-coated on each of said elastic polymer particles of about 1 mm while said magnetic particles are embedded into the core of each of said elastic polymer particles. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one container is cylindrical and rotatable with a diameter of about 400 mm; said one or more driving apparatuses is a rotating stage connected to the bottom of said container; said one or more mounting apparatuses comprises a two-axis rotary stage to enable the orientation of said at least one workpiece along two different axes in a controlled manner and is situated about 100-150 mm away from the rotating axis at the centre of said at least one container; said abrasive slurry comprises a plurality of abrasive particles, a plurality of elastic polymer particles and a carrying liquid, and wherein said abrasive particles are pre-mixed with said elastic polymer particles. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one container is cylindrical and non-rotatable; said one or more driving apparatuses comprises a second rotary stage; said one or more mounting apparatuses comprises a first rotary stage capable of moving said at least one workpiece mounted on said mounting apparatuses along one axis in a controlled manner which is situated about 100-150 mm away from the central axis of said container, and the distal end of said first rotary stage is further connected to said second rotary stage; said abrasive slurry comprises a plurality of abrasive particles of about 1-100 μm, a plurality of elastic polymer particles of about 100-1000 μm, and a carrying liquid, and wherein said plurality of abrasive particles are pre-coated on the surface of each of said elastic polymer particles. 
     
     
         13 . A workpiece polished by the device of  claim 1  comprises complex-curved-profile parts, irregular shaped article, and/or regular shaped article, wherein said workpiece is made of metal or non-metal material.