Surface finishing by shape-adaptive processes

Abstract

Complex surfaces are increasingly used in optics, biomedical devices, and aerospace industries. Additive manufacturing and five-axis milling can produce complex shapes, but additional finishing processes are needed to meet the surface quality demands. This keynote paper reviews shape-adaptive finishing processes that enable uniform surface quality improvement without altering the shape. Key factors affecting shape adaptability, processing efficiency, and material applicability are analyzed and optimal process selection strategies for finishing complex surfaces are discussed. Future possibilities and research topics in this area, including process modeling/simulation, digital twin, surface/subsurface metrology, functionality evaluation, and applications of advanced robotics and artificial intelligence, are outlined.