ABSTRACT
Surface finishing is carried out by many machining processes that use abrasives that may be loose or in the form of sticks. Depending on their kinematics and working motions, the following smoothing processes are distinguished:
• Honing with long-stroke motions • Superfinishing with short-stroke oscillatory motions • Lapping by means of labs • Polishing by abrasives attached to wheels • Buffing by loose abrasives supplied to wheels
The main objectives of the aforementioned smoothing processes are to improve surface quality and, only partially, to correct accuracy of shape and dimensions. The machining allowances are of the order of the mean total height of surface irregularities Rtm left over by the previous machining operations.
