Patent ID: 8512101

Claim:
A method for removing a burr from an aperture in a workpiece, the method comprising: providing a flexible shaft that can be rotated about a shaft axis; providing at least one abrasive mechanism connected to the shaft, wherein the abrasive mechanism has a curvilinear surface of revolution and a cross-sectional profile greater than or equal to the shaft; providing at least one non-abrasive member connected to the shaft or the abrasive mechanism or both, wherein the non-abrasive member has a cross-sectional profile greater than or equal to the abrasive mechanism; preloading the shaft by applying a lateral force to the shaft such that the non-abrasive member contacts a wall of the aperture and creates a bend in the shaft; advancing the shaft axially in a path along the wall of the aperture; rotating the shaft to remove the burr while maintaining the lateral force on the shaft; withdrawing the shaft axially in a path along the wall of the aperture; whereby even when the lateral force applied to the shaft during the advancing and withdrawing is not adjusted, and even when the advancing and withdrawing is along the same path along the wall, a burr located on a curvilinear edge of the aperture can be removed by the abrasive mechanism without damaging the wall of the aperture.