Analysis of a Compliant Honing Tool for Brushing Cylindrical Surfaces

Abstract

In this paper, a mechanics-based model is developed and I used for analyzing the steady-state configuration of brush fibers during concentric brushing of a cylindrical surface. The geometry of the problem is generalized in order to facilitate the analysis of flexible honing tools, that is, brushing tools having a spherical volume of abrasive compound attached at the end of each fiber. The integrity of the model is evaluated by examining two special cases that have a known solution, namely, (i) quasistatic contact, and (ii) dynamic contact associated with successively reduced fiber stiffness. In each case, correct results are obtained for the contact forces generated at the interface of the filament tip/cylindrical workpart surface. Also, special attention is given to examining the role that brush rotational speed plays in the response of each fiber of the honing tool, including filament/workpart contact force, torque, and filament stress.