Non-Contact Auxiliary Fixture For Better Machining Of Thin Flexible Workpiece Using Eddy Currents

Thin flexible parts are widely used in the aerospace industry and require a more precise surface finish. The main problem in achieving high-quality product is the vibration induced during machining of thin-walled parts. Clamping these thin parts or using rigid supports for parts, such as for propeller blades, lead to distortion. This issue may be solved using a non-contact auxiliary fixture. The new fixture developed in this research is an eddy current damper for passive control of vibrations in electrically conducting workpieces, using neodymium permanent magnets without any external power source. Two thin aluminum beams with different cross-section and same length were used to test the developed fixture. To increase the overall damping, conducting sheets were attached at the free end of beams. Impact and machining tests were conducted to validate the new fixture. The results showed higher damping and better machining stability leading to enhanced surface quality of the workpiece.