When it comes to incorporating industrial finishing into manufacturing operations, many shops are doing so for the first time and are often confused as to which type of machine is right for their particular part needs. Regardless of the type of system you’re considering, the best place to start is with the part.
Key Considerations Based on the Part
The shape and dimensions of your intended part play a key role in determining the correct equipment needed. For instance, parts that are machined, inverted, concave or have other challenging geometries will definitely impact equipment selection. Along with shape, part size matters when selecting the right type of machine. You will find that some equipment is best suited for smaller parts, while others are designed specifically for parts with very large surface areas.
The material a part is made from will influence not only the equipment needed, but also the media and compounds required to attain desired finishes. Whether your parts are aluminum, brass, steel, copper, plastics, or 3D-printed, the material should certainly factor into your equipment decisions.
Achieving the Right Finish
Your desired finish is another key consideration when evaluating equipment options, and you should be aware that often there are several ways to achieve that finish. While some equipment is manufactured specifically for one type of finishing, others offer a more versatile solution. In any case, you must determine your goals, whether that’s part deburring, burnishing and polishing, radius formation, preparation for plating (pre-plate) and painting (pre-paint) or coating, removing scale, slag or machine lines.
Alignment with Production Cycles
Once you’ve determined your part size, shape, material and desired finish, you must factor in how many parts you’ll be processing and how fast you need to do so. Producing a few hundred parts – versus tens of thousands of parts per year – will definitely affect your equipment selection. Cycle times can vary widely, and matching equipment with your current or even future production requirements is extremely important.
Get to Know the Players
Vibratory Finishing
Vibratory-type finishing options include tubs, round bowls or through-feed machines. The machines are ideal for a wide variety of part geometries and offer consistent processing from part to part.
They are well suited for:
- Laser-cut parts
- Machined parts
- Part-on-part (no processing media) applications
- Individual parts
Barrel Tumbling
Barrel tumbling finishing machines are designed for batches or large individual parts. They are typically less expensive and have fewer operating costs than vibratory systems, but cycle times can run a bit longer.
They are well suited for:
- Bullet casings
- Delicate parts
- Individual parts
- Metal stampings
- Part-on-part applications (no media)
Centrifugal Disc Finishing
Centrifugal disc mass finishing technology allows for rapid processing of smaller batches and part sizes.
Applications include:
- Fasteners
- Medical parts
- Rivets
- Rubber parts
- Screws
Centrifugal Barrel Finishing
Centrifugal barrel finishing is a high-energy technology delivering high-polish surface finishes.
Applications include:
- 3D-printed parts
- Jet engine blades
- Medical & dental implants
- Musical instruments
- Parts requiring high-polish finishes
Spindle Finishing
Spindle-type finishing machines handle small to medium-sized parts.
They are well suited for:
- Bearing cages
- Complex parts
- Gears
- Jet compressor discs & blades
- Pump rotors
- Splined shafts
- Transmission carriers
Sutton-Type Finishing
Sutton-type finishing machines are primarily designed for large parts.
They are well suited for:
- Blades
- Blisks
- Complex parts
- Impellers
- Turbine disks
When you partner with ALMCO, you’re working with a knowledgeable industrial finishing equipment and media supplier, and we’ll ensure you get the right equipment and formula for your needs. We guarantee your solution that we developed and proved in our advanced process laboratory will yield the same results in your own manufacturing facility.
To read more about how to select the best parts system for your applications, check out our parts finishing equipment whitepaper.