(An) experimental analysis of cylindrical lapping process for engineering fine-ceramics($Al_2O_3$) by statistical design method

Abstract

Cylindrical fine-ceramics, $Al_2O_3$, was lapped on its outer surface by vibrational lapping unit manufactured in the laboratory. Cylindrical lapping of fine-ceramics is necessarily be characterized and optimized because its process as other finishing methods is time-spending and, so, inefficient one, and because it is very complicated and random process affected by numerous factors in itself and in its environment. In this study, an efficient experimental approach, experimental design method, was used to analyze characteristics of the cylindrical lapping of fine-ceramics, $Al_2O_3$, and response surface methodology(RSM) to find out the optimal variables combination for the maximum improvement of surface roughness($R_a$). From the final surface-roughness point of view in the given lapping conditions, a stationary point or optimal lapping conditions as well as the possible maximum improvement of surface roughness ($R_a$) was predicted.