Polishing material removal correlation on PMMA – FEM simulation

Abstract

The complexity of polishing is very high and experience in this field is required to achieve reproducible deterministic results concerning shape accuracy. The goal of this work is to predict the material removal of the polishing process on PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate) using an industrial robot polisher. In order to predict the material removal, a FEM Model was created representing the polishing process. This model will help to predict the material removal when polishing parameters are changed. Experiments were carried out and compared to the results obtained from the different parameters tested in the simulation.