Patent ID: 7766727

Claim:
A mechanical system for lapping a workpiece, the system comprising: (a) a workpiece having a metal working surface with non-planar geometry; (b) a lapping tool having a non-planar contact surface shaped to complement at least part of said non-planar geometry of said working surface when said contact surface is disposed generally opposite the working surface, said contact surface including an organic, polymeric material; (c) a plurality of particles, including abrasive particles, said abrasive particles disposed in a paste between said contact surface and said working surface, and (d) a drive, associated with at least one of the working surface and said contact surface, adapted to generate relative motion between said contact surface and said metal working surface, and to exert a load on said contact surface and said working surface, said contact surface for providing an at least partially elastic interaction with said plurality of abrasive particles, and wherein said contact surface and said drive are adapted, and said plurality of particles is selected, such that upon activation of said drive, said relative motion under said load effects: (i) lapping of said metal working surface, and (ii) incorporation of particles into said metal working surface.