Superconductive Assisted Machining with Superconducting Tape for Polishing

Superconductive-assisted machining (SUAM) is a polishing method that applies the magnetic flux-pinning phenomenon of a superconductor to a magnet tool with a polishing pad, thereby reducing tool interference. SUAM methods utilize two types of devices: a single magnet system and a double magnet system (DMS). The DMS increases the magnetic flux density by placing the lower magnet under the superconductor, resulting in higher polishing pressure. In our previous study, we used a superconducting ceramics bulk in a conventional SUAM system. In this study, superconducting tapes were combined with the superconducting ceramics bulk to increase the holding force of the SUAM system. Four types of superconductors using superconducting ceramics bulk and tape were evaluated using SMS to determine their structure as a function of magnet tool position. The maximum holding force was obtained when the superconductor was combined with the ceramics bulk and superconducting tape. The holding force was measured by varying the initial position of the lower surface magnet in the DMS. When the bottom magnet was placed 4 mm from the superconductor, the attractive force was 1.6 times greater than at a 20 mm distance. The polishing performance of aluminum in SUMA was evaluated using superconducting ceramics bulk and tape. A superconducting tape can accommodate greater polishing pressure, resulting in higher polishing efficiency. After polishing, a surface roughness of Sa <0.1 µm was obtained with reduced polishing pressure.