An Investigation of Maskless Fluid Jet Polishing of Three Dimensional Structured Surfaces

Chunjin Wang (Corresponding Author), Zili Zhang, Chi Fai Cheung, Lai Ting Ho

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingConference article published in proceeding or bookAcademic researchpeer-review

Abstract

Various kinds of functional three dimensional (3D) structured surfaces have been widely used in different fields, such as imaging and illumination. However, the machining process of these kinds of structured surfaces usually leaves tool marks, burs, debris and defects on the structured surface. Currently, it is still a challenging problem to remove those defects so as to further improve the surface quality effectively for better functional performance. In this paper, a maskless fluid jet polishing (MFJP) method is presented which attempts to address this challenge. In MFJP, low pressure micro abrasive water jet slurry is impinged on the structured surface to achieve tiny material removal without using a mask. A series of experiments were conducted on the polishing of different kinds of 3D structured surfaces that are pre-shaped by different machining processes. The surface quality in terms of surface roughness, form
maintainability, and surface smoothness of lens array surface and cylindrical array surface were analysed. The results indicate that the MFJP can significantly improve the surface quality of these kinds of 3D structured surfaces, while possessing high form maintainability under certain conditions. It has the potential to become a competitive method for the precision polishing of 3D structured surfaces. This study also sheds some light on the application of MFJP for polishing other kinds of surfaces with small or
micrometre scale cavities or channels, such as microfluidic chips, high end mould inserts with complicated cavities, etc.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 22nd International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology
EditorsRichard K. Leach, A. Akrofi-Ayesu, C. Nisbet, Dishi Phillips
Publishereuspen
Pagesecopy
Number of pages4
Publication statusPublished - 3 Jun 2022
Event22nd International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN 2022 - Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: 30 May 20223 Jun 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 22nd International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology

Conference

Conference22nd International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, EUSPEN 2022
Country/TerritorySwitzerland
CityGeneva
Period30/05/223/06/22

Keywords

  • Ultra‐precision machining
  • mould
  • structured surface
  • finishing
  • fluid jet polishing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • General Materials Science
  • Instrumentation

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