Simulation Study on Pressure Distribution in Polishing the Complex Surfaces with Non-Newtonian Fluids

Complex surfaces have found applications in diverse fields, such as aeronautics, laser technology, precision engineering, biomedicine and bearings. These complex surfaces requires good polishing to ensure the best surface roughness. Therefore, shear thickening polishing (STP) has been proposed as a solution in applying the non-Newtonian fluids for polishing the of workpiece surfaces. However, this STP process will face some disadvantages when machining on the complex surfaces. In this surface locations, non-Newtonian fluids will have difficulty coming into contact with these surfaces. So, the surface quality will not be the same on all the products. The influence of polishing parameters such as polishing velocity, working gap and inclined angle on the pressure distribution on the artificial knee joint surfaces were investigated and evaluated by simulation processing. This study aims to develop an simulation model to determine the pressure distribution on the workpiece surface in the shear thickening polishing process. Simulation results show that the best pressure distribution on the work piece surface is presented in a polishing velocity V of 2.2 m/s, working gap G of 15 mm, inclination angle Az of 10 mm, and inclination angle Ax of 30 mm, respectively. Simulation results will be helpful for establishing more favorable experimental conditions and reducing the machining time and cost.