Forces and Specific Energy in Superfinishing of Hardened Steel

Abstract A piezoelectric force transducer has been adapted and used to measure the forces acting on the abrasive stone during superfinishing of hardened steels. The sensor has a sufficiently high natural frequency and resolution to measure both the average and oscillatory forces to within 10 milli-Newton. By combining measurements of forces and material removal rates, specific energy and force ratio have been estimated. Several characteristics of the superfinishing process are shown to be well reflected in the force signature, and these are highlighted and explained in fundamental terms. The force transducer is shown to offer many possibilities for studying the mechanics of superfinishing in considerable detail.