Abstract: A novel gasbag polishing technique based on flexible polishing principle is proposed for obtaining high polishing efficiency and well-proportioned surface quality of free-form mold. The information about gasbag polishing technique is discussed, such as automated robotic polishing system, spin-ning-inflated-gasbag polishing tool, various influence factors of surface roughness, etc. Also, in polishing process, the control of position and pose of the gasbag polishing tool and the charac-teristics of contact area when the rubber gasbag is pressed against the work-piece in a certain downward depth and obliq-uity are studied and analyzed. Regression orthogonal experi-ment research and theoretical analysis are based on the estab-lished automated robotic polishing system. The optimal pa-rameters combination of different influence factors of surface roughness after the regression orthogonal experiment is given and the best average value of surface roughness 0.007 μm is obtained. Through a mass of experiment research, it is proved that gasbag polishing technique can enhance the stability, effi-ciency and quality of polishing effectively for the advantages of large flexible contact area between the polishing tool and work-piece, controllable pressure of the rubber gasbag, reliable movement accuracy of the automated robotic polishing system, tiny wiped off process of the mould surface, and so on.

Key words: Gasbag polishing technique, Polishing tool Contact area, Robotic polishing system, Surface roughness