Aerospace Automotive OEM Automotive Racing Die & Mold Diesel Fluid Power High Purity Medical General Engineering AFM MicroFlow AFMECM/ECD TEM Standard EquipmentRepurchase EquipmentAFM MediaFull Circle Support Worldwide Questions Trade Shows Demo Coach Digital Media News Home

index / aerospace / afm applications

 

AFM Applications in Aerospace

Extrude Hone shares a lengthy history with the aerospace industry — a history that chronicles a record of success. More than 40 years ago, Extrude Hone originally developed the patented Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) process for deburring and finishing critical aircraft hydraulic and fuel system components. As a result of ongoing advancements, AFM, including MicroFlow™ AFM, continues to be a leading surface process for aerospace manufacturers.

Today, the application of AFM within the aerospace industry has grown substantially because of its ability to produce consistently uniform and highly polished surfaces. Many manufacturers now specify “Extrude Hone AFM processed surface” directly on original prints. It is common practice for aeronautical engineers to factor the surface finishes produced by AFM processing into many of their component designs — especially where laminar flow, boundary layer turbulence, compressive residual stresses and edge conditioning are important attributes.

In fact, jet engine manufacturers rely on AFM to improve airfoil surface conditions on compressor and turbine section components after they have undergone profile milling, casting, electrical discharge machining (EDM), or electrolytic machining (ECM) operations. Investment cast milled components are typically improved from an original 120 μinch finish to 16 μinch finish or better. AFM also edge finishes holes and attachment features to improve the mechanical fatigue strength of blades, disks, hubs and shafts with controlled, polished and true radius edges.

Throughout the many new innovations in both materials and techniques, the aerospace industry continues to turn to Extrude Hone and our AFM technologies for the performance benefits it yields:

Learn more about the Extrude Hone AFM, and MicroFlow AFM processes.