At the last Geneva Invention Show, the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering of the PolyU won the silver medal. In detail, the invention in question consists of an adaptive multiple jet polishing system with free curvature for precision manufacturing.
The technology under consideration is for applications on small volumes as well as on an industrial scale. Thus, this new technology enables fast and efficient polishing of free-form surfaces by controlling the pressure of the cast when changing surfaces. This process can be adapted in biomedical, aerospace and 3d printing.
The research team and the invention
Prof. Benny Cheung, head of the state laboratory of the Hong Kong Polytechnic, has clearly specified the advantages. First of all, it must be stressed that polishing surfaces improves the functionality and aesthetics of a product. In this way, the industrial machine regulates fluid pressure and processing times according to the shape, nature and needs of the surface. Therefore, the latter aspect inevitably benefits the machining of free-form surfaces such as:
- Printing 3
- Industrial lenses for the automotive sector
- Components for Augmented Reality
- Artificial joints
- Industrial components for the construction of civil and military aircraft
Technical aspects and research
Today, industrial machines that use polishing standards are not highly efficient. And so, with this new technique, the limits of Fluid Jet Polishing (FJP) are exceeded with multiple jet nozzles (MJP). Not only at the technical level, but also at the cost level, the machine with multiple nozzles reduces fixed costs by 66%.
Finally, the researchers are expecting an improvement in technology. In particular, the research team intends to develop equipment that can fit into 3D printers. This will improve the final efficiency of the finish.