Automation of the Surface Finishing in the Manufacturing of Dies and Molds

Summary The surface finishing of freeformed workpieces, as found in the manufacturing of dies and molds, is usually undertaken manually. Newly developed honing and grinding tools are presented with which this manual labor can be automized with the help of an industrial robot. The tool specific cutting properties are examined experimentally. A model to describe the material removal theoretically is presented for the technology of short stroke honing.