Abstract: A method and apparatus for finishing a surface of a metal component made by additive manufacturing are provided. The method comprises: containing the component 41 in a fluid 43 that comprises abrasive particles 48; and generating pressure fluctuations that produce acoustic cavitation in the fluid by applying ultrasonic vibration into the fluid by an ultrasonic horn 45, thereby removing material from the surface of the component by a combination of cavitation bubble collapse on the surface and the striking of the surface by abrasive particles 48 accelerated by cavitation bubble collapse.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an impedance control system for a robot arm. The system is able to provide at least two different levels of stiffness/compliance, and values for stiffness/compliance in the can be independently defined and set in at least first and second directions. Specifically, this allows the stiffness in said first direction to be set at a lower value than the stiffness in said second direction within the control system.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an abrasive media article, the method comprising the steps of: preparing an abrasive media composition comprising a binder material and ceramic based abrasive particles, wherein the binder material comprises an epoxy resin, wherein the particles form 50-90% by mass of the composition, and wherein the particles have an average size in the range of 5 ?m to 15 ?m; casting the composition into a mold; curing the composition in the mold; and removing the cured composition from the mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finishing a surface of a metal component made by additive manufacturing are provided. The method comprises: containing the component 41 in a fluid 43 that comprises abrasive particles 48; and generating pressure fluctuations that produce acoustic cavitation in the fluid by applying ultrasonic vibration into the fluid by an ultrasonic horn 45, thereby removing material from the surface of the component by a combination of cavitation bubble collapse on the surface and the striking of the surface by abrasive particles 48 accelerated by cavitation bubble collapse.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for finishing an internal channel of a component. The method comprises installing the component in a flow circuit which is configured to drive a fluid flow through the internal channel and controlling the fluid flow through the internal channel so that cavitation bubbles are continuously generated by a hydrodynamic effect to erode the internal channel by implosion of the cavitation bubbles. The fluid flow may comprise abrasive media which may abrade the internal channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for processing a component surface by abrading the component surface using an abrasive surface. The apparatus comprises an abrasive surface which is rotatable about an axis extending parallel to said component surface. A support is provided for moving the abrasive surface or the component surface along a computer-generated toolpath and for applying a force between the abrasive surface and the component surface. The support increases the force between the abrasive surface and the component surface from a minimum force to a maximum force as the distance along the toolpath increases to maintain constant material removal from the component surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for processing a component surface by abrading the component surface using an abrasive surface. The apparatus comprises an abrasive surface which is rotatable about an axis extending parallel to said component surface. A support is provided for moving the abrasive surface or the component surface along a computer-generated toolpath and for applying a force between the abrasive surface and the component surface. The support increases the force between the abrasive surface and the component surface from a minimum force to a maximum force as the distance along the toolpath increases to maintain constant material removal from the component surface.