Article From: 10/10/2006 Production Machining
Flexfinish, an axially compliant finishing tool ideally suited for robotic and non-robotic material finishing operations on aluminum, plastic, steel, and so on, is available from ATI Industrial Automation. The low-speed, high-torque finishing tool has a "floating" motor and spindle arrangement that provides the finishing tip's axial compliance to perform consistently on irregular part patterns.
The tool, mounted to a robot or CNC machine, has a vane-type air motor with gear reduction. Remotely adjusted air pressure controls and maintains the constant axial force on the floating spindle allowing users to compensate for deviations in the part's profile. The rotating spindle is equipped with a 3/8-inch chuck to hold a variety of finishing devices.
The motor maintains a working spindle speed of 2,600 rpm, and the compliance force is 3.2 to 16.7 lbs at air supply pressure of 5 psi to 60 psi. The entire tool weighs only 7.25 lbs and requires 390 W of power at working speed. Optional sensing devices are available to detect the spindle speed and forward and retracted spindle positions. All units have a forward sensor that detects the tool's engagement with the workpiece.
