Cellular Automata Modelling of Micro Abrasive Machining

This paper presents the use of Cellular Automata (CA) for modelling micro abrasive machining. A onedimensional CA was initially used to model the workpiece, as having different heights, to represent the roughness; and the forces from the abrasive grits were modelled to randomly erode the workpiece, as such smoothening out and polishing the surface. The modelling was then extended further to two dimensions. Results of the simulations have shown that the mean heights of the peaks, depicting the surface roughness of the workpiece and the mean standard deviation sharply decrease as time evolved. Good surface finish was always observed just after 20 pass steps. The work carried out has demonstrated that it is possible to model and simulate abrasive machining processes by implementing simple rules of cellular automata.