TABLE OF CONTENTS Cleaning, deburring, and radiusing of intricate internal passages and recesses are processes that have been done with resonant power. Essentially the process consists of submerging vibrating work-pieces fixtured at the ends of a resonating beam (whose frequency is chosen to cause beam resonance) in abrasive media for a predetermined time (Fig. 12-1). The combination of resonant motion of the workpieces and orbital motion of abrasive grains (orboresonant finishing) cleans and finishes the surfaces.
As shown in Fig. 12-1, one or more workpieces are clamped in fixtures secured to both ends of a steel beam. High energy levels are produced by resonating the beam near its natural frequency using a mechanical oscillator with a counter-weighted shaft connected to a variable-speed drive motor. Processing is generally done at 75 to 100 Hz (4500 to 6000 vibrations per minute), depending upon the weight of the workpieces. Typical cycle times for cast iron workpieces range from 2 to 3 minutes.
Media containers are raised and lowered hydraulically with a two-speed control: fast, to provide rapid advance and retraction of the containers, and a slower speed as the workpieces enter and leave the media. The abrasive media commonly used is randomly shaped, fused aluminum oxide. Size of abrasive depends upon workpieces being processed. Water and a mild alkaline cleaning compound are sprayed on the abrasive in the containers during...
