Lapping

Lapping is an abrasive process in which a rotation lap, charged with a loose abrasive slurry, removes very small amounts of material from flat metallic or nonmetallic surfaces.  Low speed and low pressure result in finely finished surfaces of extreme flatness.

Process Characteristics

Contact points between tool and workpiece are constantly changed through relative motions
Rotation tools store the abrasive particles
Is a low speed, low pressure abrading operation
Results in a fine surface finish and extreme flatness

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Information provided is from Manufacturing Processes Reference Guide by Robert H. Todd, Dell K. Allen, and Leo Alting.--1st ed. Published by Industrial Press Inc., 1994.