Drag finishing of sensitive workpieces with fluidized abrasives

Anew mass finishing technology, namely dragfinishingof brass (Cu-30 wt.% Zn) rings with fluidized abrasives, is reported. A new equipment, which combines the typical features of the drag finishing machines to hold the workpiece with the moving abrasives of fluidized beds, was designed. The equipment was validated by performing several experimental tests varying rotary speed and processing time. The evolution of the surface morphology of the workpieces, their mass loss and dimensional accuracy after processing were assessed after each finishing step. The designed equipments allowed to finish with a high level of accuracy and in short time range the brass rings. Material removals and out-of-tolerances of the workpieces could be limited once the appropriate settings of the process were selected. Low energy requirements, lack of any residuals after processing and facile operations make the fluidized bed assisted drag finishing industrially sustainable and very promising in several manufacturing domains.