LAser finishing/polishing

[JinMTVT]

i have posted this and had no answer in the laser forum

would like any information on finishiing processes using laser
( to polish the surface )

I have read several scientific papers that were discussing about one of the best possible finish for machined steel parts

and then i read that some big mold manufacturers are actually using this method by hand now instead of polishing all the molds

any info would help!

[Zathras]

Hi,

I too would like to know some details on laser polishing technique(s). In particular polishing glass mirrors. (I wonder if it can
actually be applied to materials that are not opaque with co2 lasers?)

What I have found are a few other techniques used in some advanced polishing machines. I'm not sure if all of these can be applied
to metals but would assume so. I know this is a bit off track from your question but maybe it might interest you or someone else.

Note that I have absolutely no experience with any thing to do with these techniques, I was just curious and have been searching on
the Net in the last few days.


1) Fluid Jet Polishing (Magnetorheological Finishing)
See QED technologies; http://qedmrf.com/


2) Hydrodynamic Polishing (used for semiconductor surfaces)
see US patent# 7169012


3) Polishing metal surfaces with CO2
See US patent# 5765578


4) Ultrasonic Magnetorheological Finishing ????
There's some reference in the literature but I don't have access and know zilch about it.


Anyone care to add some knowledge?