Precision Lapping Lapping is a free abrasive machining process. An abrasive compound in slurry is applied to a lap (tool). The work part is placed on top of the lap and moved to cause cutting/material removal at a controlled rate. This produces finished components without introducing stresses and heat damage associated with other processes such as grinding. By comparison, fine grinding would be considered a roughing operation to be performed before lapping. Since there is little or no stress induced, little distortion occurs compared with conventional machining or grinding on thin parts, parts made of dissimilar materials, or stress or heat sensitive materials such as stainless steel. Using lapping techniques it is possible to remove as little as .000002" or as much as needed. Typical stock (material) removal after grinding is .0002-.0005". Lapping machinery produces highly accurate surface geometry. Components can be produced with flatness, parallelism or squareness tolerances of 0.5 microns (.00020") over areas as large as 32 X 18 inches. Sizes and dimensions can be held to very close tolerances and angularity to within 5 arc seconds. Size tolerance can be maintained at a given temperature. These results can be even more improved through optical polishing. Precision lapping also produces very good quality and excellent repeatability of surface finish on all types of materials. Soft non-ferrous materials as well as hardened tool steel, carbide ceramics and even diamond can be lapped to surface roughness below 3 micro inches. Used lapping machinery is categorized as L0754 (lapping machinery) with another category as P3454 (polishing machinery). Hahn and Kolb, Spitfire, and Hammond make various lapping machinery. See our Used Precision Lapping Inventory Back