Apparatus for electropolishing a plurality of freely moving articles by means of a solid electrolyte
By utilizing the relative motion and electrical connectivity of solid electrolyte particles in a gaseous environment, the problems of inhomogeneity and individual retention in the polishing of large-scale metal parts are solved, achieving efficient and uniform multi-part polishing results, applicable to industries such as automotive, aerospace, decoration, watchmaking, and medical.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STARROS GENERAL AMPLIFIER INNOVATIONS LLC
- Filing Date
- 2021-01-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies suffer from problems such as inhomogeneity, abrasive inclusions, crystal structure exposure, and low production efficiency due to mechanical resistance in the polishing of large-scale metal parts. Furthermore, dry electropolishing requires holding each part individually, which limits its large-scale industrial application.
An apparatus was designed to perform electrolytic polishing using solid electrolyte particles in a gaseous environment. Through relative motion and electrical connectivity within the container, multiple components can be polished simultaneously, avoiding individual polishing and mechanical resistance.
It achieves uniform polishing of large-scale metal parts, reduces manual work time, improves production efficiency, and avoids the disadvantages of grinding and liquid electrolytic polishing. It is suitable for a variety of metal materials.
Smart Images
Figure CN115038821B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a system for dry electrolytic polishing of large-scale metals that are not firmly held. Belonging to the field of industrial metal polishing, this system can be applied to industries requiring high-quality polishing of large-scale components, such as the automotive, aerospace, decorative, watchmaking, medical, and dental industries. Background Technology
[0002] There is an industrial demand for polishing large-scale metal components. Currently, large-scale industrial metal polishing is carried out through grinding processes or electrolytic polishing in liquids.
[0003] Polishing systems using abrasives present a number of drawbacks. Because abrasion involves pressure between the surface and the abrasive, it lacks uniformity on the applied surface. The most exposed parts suffer more abrasive action, resulting in loss of definition at vertices and edges. Abrasive systems can also cause abrasive to become trapped within the metal surface, reducing durability, chemical resistance, and tensile strength.
[0004] In polishing using abrasives, parts can be introduced into drums, barrels, etc. along with the abrasive, which allows multiple parts to be processed in a single process without the need to hold each part separately.
[0005] In addition, there are electropolishing systems that use liquids. While these systems do not produce inclusions, they exhibit certain limitations. Electropolishing systems have a smoothing effect on roughness at the micrometer level. Conventional commercial electropolishing systems typically require a roughness reduction ranging from 50% to 60% of the initial roughness. In many applications, this level of smoothness is insufficient. These systems tend to expose the crystalline structure beneath the metal. This results in stepped surfaces, pores, and other defects associated with the metal structure.
[0006] Recently, in 2016, a dry electropolishing method using particles (free solid matter) as a solid electrolyte was developed. The invention, detailed in patent ES2604830, discloses how a metal component, firmly held and connected to the anode, moves within a container containing conductive free solid matter (solid electrolyte particles) and a cathode. The particles used in this process are described in detail in document ES2721170 (A1). This method produces a metal removal process in which the metal surface contacts the particles, meaning that at the roughness peak, because current flows only at the contact point, a polishing process with good results is produced without affecting the apex or edges. This technology signifies a revolution in the polishing industry because it allows for the processing of metals such as iron, steel, cobalt-chromium, bronze, titanium, nickel alloys, zinc, etc., with excellent results.
[0007] Because the process occurs only at the contact point, relative movement of the components with respect to the solid electrolyte particles is necessary for uniform polishing, ensuring the entire surface is treated. Insufficient movement leads to problems such as uneven results (comparing exposed components to internal components), "craters" appearing at points where there is no movement, and so on. Therefore, this technique requires components to be securely held individually as they move in a particulate medium that does not form a fluid and creates mechanical resistance. In practice, this translates to the need for retainers with clamps or elements that apply a certain force. For this, each component requires a given amount of time to install, inspect, and remove the retainer. While this may be an acceptable drawback for high-value single components and small-scale production, it limits the application of this method in large-scale industrial production.
[0008] To scale up this emerging dry electropolishing technology for large-scale industrial production, it is necessary to overcome the aforementioned limitations by utilizing new systems that allow for the simultaneous processing of large numbers of parts. The main challenge is to impart electrical connectivity to the parts being polished without having to hold them individually in place, while simultaneously achieving sufficient relative movement between the solid electrolyte particles and the surfaces of the parts being polished. To our current knowledge, no device meets these technical characteristics.
[0009] This invention provides an apparatus for polishing multiple metal parts that does not have the disadvantages of abrasive polishing or liquid electrochemical polishing, nor the limitations of electrolytic polishing using solid electrolytes. Summary of the Invention
[0010] To achieve these objectives and avoid the aforementioned limitations, the present invention proposes a system for electropolishing using solid electrolyte particles that has the ability to process multiple components simultaneously.
[0011] The main aspect of the invention is an element (1) that allows for the accommodation of multiple components and provides them with electrical connectivity, while enabling them to generate relative movement of the components relative to the surface of the component to be polished.
[0012] The apparatus of the present invention for electrolytic polishing of metal surfaces by means of a solid electrolyte comprises:
[0013] · Container (6),
[0014] • Element (1), which is capable of accommodating at least two metal parts, meaning that the parts (2) are included to prevent them from escaping during the electropolishing process, while simultaneously allowing them to still have a given movement within the element (1), and being electrically connected to them by means of the first electrode (4a).
[0015] • Second electrode (4b),
[0016] • Power supply (3), which is connected to the first electrode (4a) and (4) is connected to the second electrode (4b),
[0017] • The medium, which consists of particles (5) of a solid electrolyte in a gaseous environment, and
[0018] • A device for causing the particles (5) to move relative to the metal part (2) to be polished.
[0019] exist Figure 1 The basic schematic diagram of the present invention can be seen in the figure.
[0020] The parts (2) to be polished are placed in the element (1), where they contact the first electrode (4a) connected to the power supply (3). A current is then supplied to the particles (5) flowing through the medium between the parts (2) and the second electrode (4b). This system causes the particles to move relative to the parts to be polished. The particles (5) do not contact the entire surface of the parts, but are geometrically restricted to contacting only the rough peaks. Current flows only at these contact points, and redox reactions occur only there, generating oxides, salts, etc., which are eliminated by the particles. In this way, selective elimination of metals occurs at the rough peaks, resulting in an overall polishing effect.
[0021] Container of components Component (1) The electrodes are designed to allow the components to contact the conductive material connected to the power source (3), and to ensure sufficient contact, connection, and movement between the dielectric particles (5) and the component (2) to be polished. The electrodes of the element (1-A) can be metal or conductive polymer. The element (1) contains the component (2) to be polished, meaning that the element (1) contains the component (2) to prevent it from escaping during the polishing process, while allowing it to still have a given movement within the element (1). This avoids the need to hold each component individually, which translates to a significant reduction in manual work time.
[0022] To ensure a long service life, the electrode is preferably made of a metal resistant to electrical or chemical corrosion, such as stainless steel, titanium platinum, irradiated titanium, MMO-coated titanium, etc.
[0023] Electrodes can be meshes. In some configurations, electrodes must be meshes of appropriate size that allow particle flow without causing the part to be polished to detach.
[0024] Element (1) may have compartments for several components or compartments for each of them. Preferably, element (1) is divided into compartments to avoid contact and marking between components. The walls of the compartments may be conductive, thereby extending the surface of the first electrode (4a) and facilitating electrical connection of the components. This configuration is suitable for components that have electrical contact problems with the base due to their geometry. Alternatively, the compartment walls may be non-conductive polymeric materials, provided that sufficient contact between the component and the base is ensured, thereby ensuring adequate electrical connectivity.
[0025] Parts to be polished (2) They can be conductive materials. They must contact the anode of element (1) at least at the point where the applied current will be received. The shape and size of the components determine the optimal movement of the component (2) relative to the medium of the particle (5), and the optimal design of element (1).
[0026] Power supply (3) Current is supplied to element (1) and the current has opposite signs for the two electrodes (4a, 4b).
[0027] In a simpler case, the applied current is a direct current, which is positive for the element (1) used as the first electrode (4a) and negative for the second electrode (4b).
[0028] The applied current can be alternating current, rectified alternating current, or pulsed current. To control the applied current, preferably, the power supply provides pulsed current, and the duration, voltage, or intensity of the positive and negative pulses, as well as the pauses between them, can be adjusted. Preferably, the source will have indicators for current, voltage, and intensity. The applied pulse depends on the material to be polished, the geometry of the part, and its size. For example, to polish a carbon steel part, a 12V DC current can be used. However, other metals require micropulses. For example, to polish a titanium part, the following pulsed currents can be used: 10 microseconds at 0V; 10 microseconds at 30V; 10 microseconds at 0V; and 30 microseconds at -30V.
[0029] First Electrode (4a) The opposite electrode is connected to the first electrode (4a) of the component (1), which is the electrode in contact with the part (2). During the polishing process of the first electrode (4a), it is located in the middle of the solid electrolyte particles (5). At this time, current flows between the first electrode (4a) and the part (2) to be polished through the medium of the solid electrolyte particles (5). The first electrode (4a) can be any conductive material. Preferably, the electrode is a metal resistant to electrical and chemical corrosion, such as stainless steel, titanium platinum, irradiated titanium, or MMO-coated titanium.
[0030] The conductor medium in which this method is performed is composed of a gaseous medium. solidThe composition consists of particles (5) of an electrolyte. These particles (5) of the solid electrolyte have the ability to conduct electricity in a measurable manner and are capable of removing oxides and salts from the metal surface. Preferably, the particles of the solid electrolyte are formed from an ion exchange resin that retains a liquid in a gel phase or in pores. The retained liquid can be neutral, acidic, or alkaline, depending on the metal to be polished. In a preferred configuration for polishing steel, the liquid is a 5% solution of methanesulfonic acid. In a preferred configuration for polishing a chromium-cobalt alloy, the liquid is a 4% solution of sulfuric acid. The particles can have different shapes: spherical, lenticular, irregular, gravel-type, rod-shaped, fibrous, etc. Preferably, the particles have a slightly spherical shape, which facilitates movement and rolling on the surface. Preferably, the average diameter of the particles is less than 900 microns.
[0031] To increase the mobility of the particle (5) medium, it is suitable to use a fluidizing medium. Preferably, vibration is used to fluidize the medium. This vibration can be applied at one or several points, for example, in the container (6) enclosing the particles to improve the general movement of the medium, or in the element (1) used to control the contact time between the particles and the component. Using vibration does not exclude the use of other fluidization methods.
[0032] For the polishing process to be successful, there must be a Relative motion of the component (2) to be polished relative to the particles (5). The geometry of the components and their positions in the element (1) must be considered to design this movement. This movement can be achieved by different systems.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the relative movement of the particles (5) relative to the component (2) can be achieved with the Figure 2 " sand leak -shaped" system schematically shown in. In the middle part of the container (6), the element (1) is located at its position enclosing the component (2) and is connected to the power supply (3) through the first electrode (4a). The second electrode (4b) can be located initially in the middle part above 4a and the component, or alternatively, anchored to the container (6). The particles are initially located at the bottom of the container. There is an electric system that allows the container (6) to be rotated. When it is rotated, the particles fall through the elements located at the center, which are at least the element (1) and the first electrode (4a). When the fall of the particles continues, an electrical contact occurs, which closes the circuit between the component connected to 4a and the second electrode 4b, which produces an electropolishing effect. If the second electrode (4b) is initially above the component, then when the container (6) is rotated, the second electrode (4b) will be below and the first electrode (4a) will be above. In this case, the system can have a control to change the polarity of the electrodes (4a, 4b).
[0034] Optionally, the device includes a third electrode (4c) located inside the container on the side opposite to the second electrode (4b). The system may have control to activate the appropriate electrode with each rotation to ensure that the flow of current begins from the first electrode (4a) of the element (1) to make contact with the electrode of the element (1) and, depending on the movement of the medium composed of particles (5), the current flows upward to the second or third electrode (4c). The aim is to have an electrode (4b or 4c) that can contact the particles (5) before the particles (5) subsequently reach the components (2) in the element (1). This means that the system has two electrodes (4b, 4c), one on the upper side of the element (1) and the other on the lower side of the element (1), and means for activating and deactivating the electrodes (4b, 4c) with each rotation, so that only at that moment the electrode on the upper side is energized, thereby ensuring that there is electrical contact between the components (2), energized by the electrode (4a), flowing upward through the medium of the moving particles (5) to the electrode (4b or 4c) activated at that time.
[0035] exist" hourglass "In the embodiment, when rotation occurs, it may be necessary to control the drop of the particles so that the particles pass through when they have reached the final position (1).
[0036] Several strategies can be used to control the fall of particle (5). For example... Figure 2 As shown, preferably, the falling of the particles (5) is controlled by at least two perforated plates (7, 8), each of which is located between the second electrode (4b) or the third electrode (4c) and the end of the container (6) closest to the electrode. The holes of the perforated plates (7, 8) are preferably circular with a diameter ranging from 2 to 5 times the average diameter of the spherical particles. This means that for particles with an average diameter of 0.7 mm, a perforated plate with a 2.5 mm circular hole would be optimal. The control of the falling of the particles (5) through the perforated plates (7, 8) is preferably achieved by applying vibration to the perforated plates (7, 8). After the rotation of the container (6) occurs, the particles are located between one end of the container and one of the perforated plates (7 or 8). Since the particles (5) are granular materials, due to the construction of arcs, bridges, etc., they hardly fall through the holes, thus preventing the particles (5) from continuing to fall through the holes. When the vibration of the perforated plates (7, 8) is activated and comes into contact with the particles, the bridges, arcs, etc., lose stability, and the particles (5) begin to flow continuously. This allows for a full rotation process without a large number of particles falling, until the final position is reached and the vibration of the perforated plates (7 or 8) has been activated, which prevents the uncontrolled falling of particles (5). In this way, more uniform treatment is achieved on all components.
[0037] In another embodiment of the present invention, the relative movement of the particles (5) with respect to the component (2) can be achieved using Figure 3 the " Water turbine type " system shown schematically in
[0038] In this system, one or more elements (1) are connected to a central axis and are capable of rotating about this central axis when the system is in operation. A part of the circular path around the axis of the element (1) extends within the medium of the particles (5). The element (1) is connected to a power source (3). The electrode (4) can move with the element (1) or, alternatively, be anchored to the container (6) of the particles (5). Figure 4 In another embodiment of the present invention, the relative movement of the particles with respect to the component is achieved using the particle " Again cycle " system visible in
[0039] The particles (5) are recycled upward from the bottom of the container (6) to the upper part. This creates a continuous flow of the particles (5). In this flow, one or more elements (1) are located at a position connected to the source (3) to enclose the component (2) to be polished. The second electrode (4b) is located near the element (1). The device can include a vibrator to improve the movement (fluidity) of the particles. piston In another embodiment of the present invention, the relative movement of the particles with respect to the component is achieved by means of the " Figure 5 " system. In
[0040] it is shown how the particles (5) move in the vertical direction by means of a piston. This movement can also be generated in the horizontal direction or several pistons can be used to generate the movement of the particles. The element (1) having the component and connected to the source (3) is located in this movement of the particles. The system can consist of several pistons that do not operate together but perform complementary movements.
[0041] If the electrical pulses are coordinated with the compression cycle, the system is able to improve the result on the component. Synchronizing the electrical pulses with the compression cycle increases the conductivity and ensures uniform action on the component.
[0042] In another embodiment of the invention, a ring vibrator or a circular vibrator is used to generate the movement of the particles. This type of vibrator generates a circulating flow of particles (5) of solid electrolyte. In this flow, one or more appropriately oriented elements (1) are positioned with respect to components (2), one or more electrodes (4), and are associated with a source (3).
[0043] In another embodiment of the invention, a "paint stirrer type" system is provided to generate motion. In this system, the motion of the particles (5) is achieved by rapid macroscopic back-and-forth translation having rotation along different axes or a combination thereof. The system generates the motion of the container (6) containing the particles (5), the element (1) having the component (2), and the electrode (4). The elements (1) and (4) are rigid relative to the wall of the container (6).
[0044] Preferably, the element (1) includes a receiving container having a conductor base (1-A), on which a component (2) is placed, the conductor base (1-A) being connected to a source (3) and preferably having a vibration (1-B). The base (1-A) is a metal mesh or perforated plate that allows particles (5) to pass through while holding the component (2) to be polished.
[0045] To prevent excessive movement of components, different strategies can be used to limit this movement. The surface of the mesh can be divided into compartments, allowing one or more components to be assembled in each compartment without interfering with each other. This avoids potential defects caused by contact between components. Components can typically be covered with a flexible or rigid non-conductive mesh (1-C) to ensure that the components remain in a suitable position. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The position and orientation of the process are shown. The second electrode (4b) can be formed with... Figure 8 The element (1) shown is part of the same structure, thus minimizing the gap between the electrodes and achieving higher conductivity. It must be ensured that the second electrode (4b) is closer to the component than the conductor part (1-A) so that a polishing effect occurs on the component.
[0046] The device based on this invention allows for the polishing of multiple components, eliminating the need to individually maintain each component. This opens the door to the industrial-scale use of dry electropolishing processes, representing a significant improvement over current technology. Using this device, not only polishing can be achieved, but also passivation and anodizing of metal surfaces.
[0047] Based on all the contents mentioned in this specification, we believe that the operation of the device can be understood to reproduce the invention and to understand the many advantages of the novel system. Attached Figure Description
[0048] To supplement the ongoing description and to aid in the best understanding of the features of the invention, a set of drawings has been appended to this specification as an integral part of it, wherein the drawings are shown for illustrative and not limiting purposes:
[0049] Figure 1 - It shows a schematic basic view of the invention.
[0050] Figure 2 - It shows a schematic diagram of the "hourglass" structure.
[0051] Figure 3 - It shows a schematic diagram of a "waterwheel-like" structure.
[0052] Figure 4 - It shows a schematic diagram of a "recycled" structure.
[0053] Figure 5 - It shows a schematic diagram of the "piston-like" structure.
[0054] Figure 6 - It shows a top view of the construction of element (1).
[0055] Figure 7 -It shows Figure 6 A side view of the construction of element (1).
[0056] Figure 8 - It shows a top view of another construction of element (1). Detailed Implementation
[0057] Below, a preferred embodiment of polishing an engraved stainless steel disc with a diameter of 40 mm and a height of 0.5 mm is described.
[0058] The device is Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a "waterwheel type". It has four elements (1). Each element (1) comprises 128 (8×16) square compartments, each designed to accommodate a disc. Each compartment has a base of a titanium MMO mesh with 45 mm sides and 2 mm height and 5 mm gaps. The mesh base is connected to a power source. A removable mesh with 10 mm gaps covers all compartments, preventing the disc to be polished from escaping the compartments during processing. Above the mesh, 10 mm from the mesh base, is another titanium MMO mesh serving as an electrode (4), thus connected to the complementary electrode of the power source.
[0059] Each element (1) is equipped with a vibrator. Each element (1) is connected to a rotation axis and has its own rotation center. The final motion of the element (1) relative to the rotation center can be circular translation, track-type, free, fixed, etc. The rotation axes connected to the four elements (1) can be adjusted according to the height.
[0060] The power supply (3) is a pulse source that allows control over the voltage and duration of positive and negative pulses, as well as the pauses between them. For polishing stainless steel discs, the optimal parameters are +15V 300ms; 0V 10ms; 15V 30ms; 0V 10ms.
[0061] The solid electrolyte particles (5) are spherical particles of poly(styrene-covinylbenzene) gel with a central size distribution of 750 μm and sulfonation corresponding to 1.7 eq / L. The liquid portion of the gel is a solution of 5% methanesulfonic acid. The electrolyte particles are contained in a polypropylene tank, which includes outlets for injecting both gas and liquid. It has four vibrators to fluidize all the particles.
Claims
1. An apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, the apparatus comprising: ● A container containing a polishing medium composed of solid electrolyte particles dispersed in a gaseous environment; ● Element (1), which is arranged in the container and configured to accommodate at least two metal parts without being fixed, each of the metal parts being freely positioned in the element (1) so as to remain in the element (1) during electropolishing while being able to move in a controlled and non-fixed manner, and the element (1) includes a base (1-A) having perforations or meshes adapted to support the part to be polished (2) and allow the passage of particles (5); ● A first electrode, which is integrated into the element (1) to provide electrical contact with the freely moving metal component; ● A second electrode is positioned outside the element (1) and is electrically connected to the element (1) via interconnected solid electrolyte particles of the polishing medium; ● A power source, electrically connected to the first electrode and connected to the second electrode, to establish a potential difference between the electrodes during the polishing process; ● An apparatus for generating relative motion between the solid electrolyte particles and the metal components, thereby enabling simultaneous electropolishing of multiple non-fixed components, characterized in that it further comprises means for moving an element (1) through solid electrolyte particles (5) located in a container (6) to allow the particles to contact the surface of the component to be polished; and ● A device for fluidizing the polishing medium.
2. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The container (6) is closed and includes the electrolyte particles (5). The device does not occupy the entire container (6). The element (1) and the second electrode (4b) are located approximately at the center of the container (6) and move integrally with the container (6). The device for generating the relative movement of the particles (5) relative to the metal component includes an actuator for rotating the container (6) so that when the container (6) rotates, the medium composed of the electrolyte particles (5) moves through the element (1).
3. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 2, is characterized in that... The device includes a third electrode (4c) located inside the container on the side opposite to the second electrode (4b), and the device includes control over the power supply of the second electrode (4b) or the third electrode (4c) according to the orientation of the container (6) such that the particle (5) contacts the electrode (4b) or the electrode (4c) during its descent from the upper position of the container (6) before reaching the component (2) powered by the electrode (4a).
4. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 2, is characterized in that... It includes at least two perforated plates (7, 8), each of which is located between the second electrode (4b) or the third electrode (4c) and the end of the container (6) closest to the electrode.
5. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The device consisting of the particles (5) of the solid electrolyte does not occupy the entire container (6), and the device for generating the relative movement of the particles (5) with respect to the metal part (2) to be polished causes the element (1) to move from the medium consisting of the particles (5) of the electrolyte toward a portion of the container (6), wherein there is no medium consisting of the particles (5) of the electrolyte in a portion of the container (6).
6. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 5, is characterized in that... The device for generating relative motion of the particles (5) with respect to the metal part (2) to be polished causes the element (1) to rotate about an axis, thereby causing the element (1) to move within the medium of the particles (5) during a portion of its travel about the axis.
7. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 5 or 6, is characterized in that... The second electrode (4b) moves together with the element (1).
8. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The second electrode (4b) is located within the medium composed of the electrolyte particles (5).
9. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The element (1) and the second electrode (4b) are immersed in the medium and move integrally with the container (6), and the device for generating the relative movement of the particles (5) relative to the metal component includes a recycling system in which the medium consisting of the particles (5) moves from the bottom of the container (6) upward to the upper part of the container (6) such that the medium consisting of the particles (5) moves downward relative to the element (1) from the beginning of the downward movement.
10. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 9, is characterized in that... The container (6) includes a vibrator that causes an improvement in the recycling of the particles.
11. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The element (1) and the second electrode (4b) are immersed in the medium composed of particles (5) and move integrally with the container (6), and the device for generating the relative movement of the particles (5) relative to the metal component includes a piston that causes the medium composed of particles (5) to move alternately relative to the element (1).
12. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 11, is characterized in that... During the step in which the medium composed of particles (5) moves toward the element (1), the power supply (3) applies a current pulse to the first electrode (4a) and the second electrode (4b), and no current is applied during the step in which the medium composed of particles (5) returns relative to the element (1).
13. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The element (1) and the second electrode (4b) are immersed in the medium composed of particles (5), and the device for generating relative motion of the particles (5) relative to the metal component includes an actuator that causes the element (1) to move within the medium composed of particles (5).
14. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The element (1) and the second electrode (4b) are immersed in the medium composed of particles (5) and move integrally with the container (6). The device for generating the relative movement of the particles (5) relative to the metal component includes a ring vibrator or a circular vibrator that causes the particles (5) of the solid electrolyte to circulate within the container (6).
15. The apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The element (1) and the second electrode (4b) are located and immersed in the medium composed of particles (5) and move integrally with the container (6), and the second electrode (4b) is immersed in the medium composed of particles (5), and the device for generating the relative movement of the particles (5) relative to the metal component includes translation of the container (6), the translation being a rapid macroscopic back-and-forth translation having rotation along different axes or having a combination thereof, thereby generating the movement of the particles (5) of the solid electrolyte within the container (6).
16. An apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The element (1) includes a vibrator element (1-B) that causes the part (2) to be polished to vibrate within the element (1).
17. An apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The element (1) includes multiple compartments with non-conductive walls, such that the parts (2) to be polished located in different compartments can be in electrical contact.
18. An apparatus for electrochemical polishing of metal surfaces using a solid particle-based electrolyte without the need for a fixture, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The element (1) includes multiple compartments with conductive walls, such that the parts (2) to be polished located in different compartments can form electrical contacts.