Apparatus and method for electropolishing surfaces

A method for electropolishing a workpiece surface, comprising:

• providing a reservoir containing electrolytic solution;
• discharging the electrolytic solution from the reservoir in the form of at least one jet stream;
• adapting the jet streams to have a flow velocity in the range of between about 1 meter per second and about 6 meters per second;
• directing the at least one jet stream to impact the surface of the workpiece;
• and
• applying a voltage difference between the workpiece and the at least one jet stream, the workpiece acting as anode, whereby an electric current flows between the workpiece and the at least one jet stream.

A method for electropolishing a workpiece surface, comprising:

• providing a reservoir containing electrolytic solution;
• discharging the electrolytic solution from the reservoir in the form of at least one jet stream;
• adapting the jet streams to have a length in a range of between about 5 millimeters and about 20 millimeters;
• directing the at least one jet stream to impact the surface of the workpiece;
• and
• applying a voltage difference between the workpiece and the at least one jet stream, the workpiece acting as anode, whereby an electric current flows between the workpiece and the at least one jet stream.

An apparatus for electropolishing a workpiece, comprising:

• a turntable adapted to support the workpiece in atmosphere;
• a reservoir having at least one aperture and adapted to contain a volume of electrolytic solution, the reservoir being further adapted to discharge the solution under pressure from the at least one aperture in the form of at least one jet stream directed to impact the workpiece, the at least one jet stream having a diameter within a range of between about 0.2 millimeters and about 2 millimeters;
• and
• a source of electric charge connected to the turntable to form a conductive circuit producing current flowing between the workpiece acting as anode and the at least one jet stream when the at least one jet stream is discharged to impact the workpiece.

An apparatus for electropolishing a workpiece, comprising:

• a turntable adapted to support the workpiece in atmosphere, wherein the turntable is adapted to move on a linear axis coaxial with its axis of rotation at a speed of between about 25 millimeters and about 125 millimeters per minute;
• a reservoir having at least one aperture and adapted to contain a volume of electrolytic solution, the reservoir being further adapted to discharge the solution under pressure from the at least one aperture in the form of at least one jet stream directed to impact the workpiece;
• and
• a source of electric charge connected to the turntable to form a conductive circuit producing current flowing between the workpiece acting as anode and the at least one jet stream when the at least one jet stream is discharged to impact the workpiece.