Design and Analysis of Lapping System Using Emery Paper

Lapping is the removal of unwanted material to produce a smooth, flat, unpolished surface. This process is used to improve the dimensionally accuracy of the specimen. In this paper a machine is designed using Emery paper as lapping plate. Using the machine the effects of different abrasives on material removal rate and surface finish on three different types of work materials were evaluated quantitatively. It was found that silicon carbide and white aluminum oxide abrasives removed more material per minute than garnet. Furthermore, from geometric and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis obtained using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), it was confirmed that some abrasives became embedded into the lapped metal substrates. No burn was observed on the lapped samples. Scratches and unfinished lapped parts were observed primarily in 304 stainless steel. There were little or no scratches found on lapped Al 2024 and 1018 steel.