Method and Device for Barrel Polishing a Work Piece

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This patent describes a method and device for precisely polishing the functional surfaces of work pieces, such as metal components, medical implants, or turbine blades. The process uses a barrel polishing technique where the work piece is moved within a container filled with abrasive particles. Key to the invention is that the movement of the work piece is precisely controlled based on digital data of the surface and the stresses the surface will experience in actual use. This allows the creation of optimal motion trajectories for polishing, enabling consistently high-quality surface finishing tailored to the work piece's application.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Precision finishing of turbine blades and aerospace components to enhance performance and longevity
• Polishing of medical implants, such as artificial joints or dental implants, to achieve desired surface smoothness and functional geometry
• Finishing of complex tool surfaces, such as drill bits and machining tools, to create specific edge geometries or reduce wear
• Manufacturing of high-precision mechanical components in automotive and industrial machinery
• Production of components with demanding surface requirements, such as optics mounts or custom mechanical parts

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables precise and predictable control over the material removal process, improving surface quality and consistency
• Reduces the need for costly and time-consuming empirical testing and manual adjustment of polishing parameters
• Allows for analytical modeling and prediction of polishing outcomes, increasing process reliability and repeatability
• Can be adapted to complex and custom-shaped surfaces, including freeform geometries commonly found in advanced engineering and medical device applications
• Improves the efficiency of the finishing process and reduces waste by allowing optimal parameter selection before processing
• Extends the functional lifespan and performance of the treated parts by tailoring surface textures and finishes to operational requirements

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for fine machining a work piece having at least one functional surface, preferably by way of a barrel polishing process, wherein the work piece is guided in a work container containing sanding bodies or sanding means while effecting a movement relative to the sanding particles. The invention is characterized by the following procedural steps: Providing a numerical data set describing the surface shape of the at least one functional surface, determining a movement trajectory describing the relative movement of the work piece to the sanding particles in the working container, while taking the collectivity of stresses acting upon the at least one functional surface during the intended use of the work piece into consideration, and moving the work piece relative to the sanding particles in the work container on the basis of the determined movement trajectory.