Process Parameter Optimization of Ultrasonic Assisted Electrochemical Magnetic Abrasive Finishing of 316L Stainless Steel

There is requirement of advancements in the machining processes able to achieve better surface finish in tight tolerances. It is not always easy to produce work piece characteristics in order to fulfill the listed requirements by only using the traditional finishing processes. Ultrasonic assisted electrochemical magnetic abrasive finishing (UEMAF) is a hybrid micro machining process and finish surfaces of hard and brittle materials up to nano meter scale. UEMAF integrates the use of electrochemical machining, ultrasonic vibrations and magnetic abrasive finishing. Taguchi technique is used to find optimal process parameters of Ultrasonic assisted electrochemical magnetic abrasive finishing (UEMAF). A L9 Orthogonal array, applied to analyze the effect of ultrasonic assisted electrochemical magnetic abrasive finishing process parameters (rpm of work piece, % wt. of abrasive and ultrasonic frequency time) on percentage improvement in surface finish (PISF). (paper)