Optimization of the Kinematics Available in the Polishing Process of Ceramic Tiles by Computational Simulations

Abstract

This work investigated the influence of the kinematics involved in the polishing process of stoneware tiles over the spatial distribution of abrasive contacts. The basic intention was to delimit the best combinations of both forward and transverse oscillation motions that would result in a uniform polishing effect over the tile surface. Such uniformity was quantitatively represented by the variance of the distribution of polishing time. By means of computational algorithms, a wide range of both forward speed and oscillation frequency were simulated in order to obtain the corresponding distributions of polishing time. The results highlight the importance of adopting good kinematics to avoid excessive polishing gradients. Thus, a large number of kinematic conditions could be potentially recommended, whereas many others were found to be primarily inadequate. In view of this, the simulations carried out herein can be suggested as a useful guide for future phenomenological investigations, and also as a useful tool for polishing industries.

Estimation of the minimum material removal thickness during the polishing process of ceramic tiles by laser triangulation

“…Several studies have been done in the field of optimization of the sequence and measurement of glossiness [6,9], as well as in the optimization of the kinematics of the honing operation as feed rate, rotational angular speed, lateral oscillation, contact pressure and honing time [10][11][12]. How these parameters may influence the tile surface characteristics is already reported [13].…”

Wear mechanism and morphologic space in ceramic honing process

“…Previous studies have been conducted in order to overcome the lack of knowledge in the field, thereby contributing to an increase of process efficiency. Sousa [5][6][7] used mathematical models describing the abrasive path in order to create a software tool, which is able to simulate the kinematics of flat honing with lapping kinematics process. Hutchings [8,9] replicated the process in laboratorial scale and studied the relation among abrasive particle size, surface roughness and glossiness.…”

Effect of Sense and Spacing in Parallel Scratches during Brittle Machining of Stoneware Tiles

“…Commonly process parameters used in the polishing process of porcelain are obtained by "cut and try" and adjustments directly on the industrial line, depending heavily on the "know-how" and sensitivity of the operator to adjust the machines. Therefore the process parameters are usually over dimensioned in order to obtain the required minimum quality across the entire surface, injuring the final gloss distribution quality [5]. As a direct negative effect, there is an excessive tool wear, increased water consumption for tools cooling, large volume of solid residue, higher energy consumption by machinery, low process productivity, production time lost by stopping the machine for testing, so that at the end increases the overall production costs [1,6,7,8].…”