Brush Dynamics: Models and Characteristics

This paper reviews investigations into the dynamics and modelling of brushes. They include brushes for surface finishing operations, removal of fouling, post-CMP brushing processes, air duct cleaning, and street sweeping. The methods that have been proposed to model brush dynamics are described, and the results of the research into brush mechanics are presented and discussed. Some conclusions of the paper are as follows: brush dynamics is very complex, as it depends on the interaction among many phenomena and variables. The bristle oscillations that occur in some brushes constitute a complexity for modelling brush behaviour and are not normally addressed. Additionally, the literature reveals that the coefficient of friction is not a constant value that depends only on the materials and surface roughness of the two contacting bodies. Frictional behaviour strongly depends on many variables, such as brush setup angles and rotational speed, which play a part in the development of stick-slip friction cycles. Finally, it is concluded that brush behaviour and the phenomena involved in brushing have not been fully studied or understood and more research into this field is needed.