A STUDY ON THE OPTIMIZATION OF THE CYLINDRICAL LAPPING PROCESS FOR ENGINEERING FINE-CERAMICS (AL2O3) BY THE STATISTICAL DESIGN METHOD

Abstract

A cylindrical fine-ceramics, Al2O3, component was lapped on its outer surface by the use of a vibrational lapping unit manufactured in the laboratory. It is necessary that the cylindrical lapping of fine-ceramics be characterized and optimized because the process, as with other finishing methods, is time-consuming and thus inefficient, and because it is a very complicated and random process affected by numerous factors both in itself and in its environment. In this study, an efficient experimental approach, the experimental design method, was used to analyze the characteristics of the cylindrical lapping of fine-ceramics, Al2O3, and response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimal combination of variables for the maximum improvement of the surface roughness R(a). From the final surface-roughness point of view, for given lapping conditions, a stationary point or optimal lapping conditions, as well as the possible maximum improvement of the surface roughness R(a), has been predicted.