Surface Modification of Inconel 718 by Robot-Guided Centrifugal Finishing and Vibratory Finishing

The main task of mass finishing processes is the significant reduction of the surface roughness of a workpiece. Since robot-guided centrifugal finishing has a material removal rate up to Q''w<500mm/h, it is able to reduce the surface roughness in a shorter process time than vibratory finishing. Furthermore, robot-guided centrifugal finishing is a promising manufacturing technology to induce residual compressive stresses even for high-temperature materials, such as Inconel 718. In order to show the potential of robot-guided centrifugal finishing as a surface modification process, experimental tests were carried out. Within the experimental tests, Inconel 718 was machined by vibratory finishing and robot-guided centrifugal finishing. By using robot-guided centrifugal finishing the maximum induced residual compressive stress was 58% higher compared to vibratory finishing. The findings were derived from the difference in terms of transfer of the kinetic energy between the abrasive media and the workpiece in robot-guided centrifugal finishing and vibratory finishing.