Hand Lapping

Hand Lapping

Hand Lapping - Hand lapping of individual pieces can be done on flat, or on external or internal cylindrical surfaces. Highly skilled operators are necessary to obtain consistent and accurate results.

Hand lapping is commonly employed as a toolroom method of finishing carbide die parts and other exceptionally hard materials. For flat work, a serrated lapping block or plate charged with a linegrain loose abrasive compound with a suitable oilor water base vehicle is used.

Silicon carbide, fused alumina or boron carbide are excellent abrasives for metal lapping. Most laps are made of soft cast iron or of a material softer than the workpiece.

The process of hand lapping consists of manually rubbing the work with an ever changing motion over the accurately finished surface of the lapping plate. The rate of stock removal and the quality of the ultimate finish obtained depend primarily upon the pressure exerted by the operator.