TABLE OF CONTENTS Final finishing operations in manufacturing of precise parts are always of concern owing to their most critical, labour intensive and least controllable nature. In the era of nanotechnology, deterministic high precision finishing methods are of utmost importance and are the need of present manufacturing scenario. The need for high precision in manufacturing was felt by manufacturers worldwide to improve interchangeability of components, improve quality control and longer wear/fatigue life (Keown 1987). Taniguchi (Taniguchi 1983) reviewed the historical progress of achievable machining accuracy during the last century. He had also extrapolated the probable further developments in microtechnology and nanotechnology, Fig. 8.1. The machining processes were classifieds into three categories on the basis of achievable accuracy viz. conventional machining, precision machining and ultraprecision machining. Ultraprecision machining are the processes by which the highest possible dimensional accuracy can be achieved at a given point of time. This is a relative definition, which varies with time. It has been predicted that by 2000 AD, machining accuracies in conventional processes would reach 1 ?m, while in precision and ultraprecision machining would reach 0.01 ?m (10 nm) and 0.001 ?m (1 nm), respectively (Taniguchi 1983). His predictions made around two decades before are in line with the current advances in manufacturing technology. These accuracy targets for today's ultraprecision machining can't be achieved by simple extension of conventional machining processes and techniques.
