Development of intelligent lapping system estimation of finished surface roughness and its improvement speed

The lapping process is one of the traditional finishing processes and generally it is conducted as manual process by skilled worker. The productivity of these manual processes is lower and difficult to control. Hence, we developed an automatic lapping system for moulds and dies. The lapping system consists of simple lapping tools and conventional milling machine. Several materials were machined as mirror like surface using the system. The lapping conditions are usually decided by skilled worker's experience or knowhow. Therefore, in this study, an intelligent lapping system with the optimum conditions calculated by the lapping model was developed. Specifically, the relationship between the finished quality (surface roughness Rz and improvement rate of Rz) and each parameter of the system, Vickers hardness of work piece and lapping head, lapping pressure, grain size, is investigated. Then, an intelligent lapping system is developed. Finally, the HPM31 are machined as confirmatory experiment by developed system with calculated lapping conditions. It is concluded from the result that: (1) The relationship between the surface roughness and lapping parameter was cleared. (2) The intelligent lapping system using the lapping model was developed. (3) The estimated limit surface roughness and improvement rate by calculated condition satisfactorily agreed with the experimental results.