Performance analysis of MRF-based flexible supporting of thin-walled part

A flexible supporting configuration based on magnetorheological (MR) effect for thin-walled part was designed. In this configuration, two crucial issues need to be concerned. One was the force needed to support the thin-wall part efficiently when the magnetorheological fluid (MRF) solidified in certain magnetic field, the other was the layout method of magnet array to arrange the magnetic field reasonably. Firstly, the relationship of MRF elastic modulus and the magnetic induction intensity was obtained experimentally. And then, the distribution of exciting magnetic field was analyzed numerically, which was aimed to optimize the NdFeB electric permanent magnet (EPM) array layout. From the analysis result, a reliable supporting status was designed for thin-walled part to resist machining force and reduce machining deformation by the proposed method.