Tools to achieve a mirror finish?

McBobberson · Jul 14, 2016

We're currently processing parts made of S-2 tool steel and need to check them for micro hardness, which requires a very smooth, scratch-free surface after cutting them in half.

I didn't come up with anything on this websites search, and I'm not even sure what I should google, but I was curious as to if there was a tool out there made for CNCs that would give a part an exceptional finish?

Thanks in advance for the help.

ewlsey · Jul 14, 2016

You need a lapping machine.

Leviathan · Jul 14, 2016

Look into "Mirroworx" tooling by Pokolm, they claim it will produce a mirror finish.

I've never used it myself, just seen it at a trade show, personally I'd want to see it working on my machinery before I dropped the dollars on it.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

brucecu · Jul 15, 2016

Do you have a machine with the stiffness and runout to achieve the finish you are looking for? If it is a few pieces try an assortment of abrasive papers and elbow grease. Figure eights work well.

McBobberson · Jul 15, 2016

brucecu said:
Do you have a machine with the stiffness and runout to achieve the finish you are looking for?

Yes, it can get the job done I'm sure.

Booze Daily · Jul 15, 2016

Years ago I was in a shop where they were using some kind of hardwood disc w/ diamond paste on a surface grinder. The surface grinder had power feed so it just kept going back and forth over the surface and every once in a while someone would check on it.

I imagine they surface ground the face first, then polished it.
The finished parts were like mirrors. Maybe you could adapt this idea to whatever machines you have..

Conrad Hoffman · Jul 15, 2016

Usually easy to do with some 3M Imperial Lapping Film and a bit of elbow grease. A diamond film works best for the last stages.

Davis In SC · Jul 15, 2016

I think machining or even grinding would affect the microhardness you are wanting to measure. Lapping, whether manually or on a machine, should not affect the hardness.

Shop Supply Guru · Jul 15, 2016

From a tooling standpoint I know this product has produced mirror or close finishes --> Dijet Mirror Ball

Be ready for small(I mean tiny) stepovers at high RPM if interested. At worst it will get you pretty close to where you want to be then you can finish with abrasive or lapping options.

DMF_TomB · Jul 15, 2016

McBobberson said:
We're currently processing parts made of S-2 tool steel and need to check them for micro hardness, which requires a very smooth, scratch-free surface after cutting them in half.

I didn't come up with anything on this websites search, and I'm not even sure what I should google, but I was curious as to if there was a tool out there made for CNCs that would give a part an exceptional finish?

Thanks in advance for the help.

.
cut with abrasive saw then grind on a surface grinder. not mirror finish but surface grinder is fairly smooth
.
when they polish molds they still use abrasive stones often held by hand

MK Proto · Jul 15, 2016

Mill or a lathe?

CarbideBob · Jul 15, 2016

Davis In SC said:
I think machining or even grinding would affect the microhardness you are wanting to measure. Lapping, whether manually or on a machine, should not affect the hardness.

Have to agree big here.
One has to define mirror of course. We do it in even in cast iron but you are sort of filling the voids
Do not mistake "mirror" to your eyeball for good material to check.
Worse in steels. I can give you a finish where you can read the printing on the florescent tubes overhead but would be bad for a microhard test.
Bob

Search

Largest Manufacturing Technology Community on the Web

Search

Tools to achieve a mirror finish?

McBobberson

Plastic

ewlsey

Diamond

Leviathan

Aluminum

brucecu

Aluminum

McBobberson

Plastic

Booze Daily

Titanium

Conrad Hoffman

Diamond

Davis In SC

Diamond

Shop Supply Guru

Hot Rolled

DMF_TomB

Diamond

MK Proto

Hot Rolled

CarbideBob

Diamond

Similar threads