Burrs are an inevitable result of metal fabrication processes. Whether from plasma, waterjet, laser, punch press, or shears, these unwanted raised edges can threaten the safety of materials handlers and machines and decrease product quality. The deburring process removes ragged edges and imperfections to produce a more attractive, safer, higher-quality product. It’s an essential final step for all types of products and materials.
Abrasive Brushes
Sharp edges on metal materials can prevent parts from working correctly and harm the equipment or workers. Deburring removes these edge burrs, making them safe to handle and allowing for accurate, precise results in manufacturing. What is deburring equipment? Deburring is a finishing for removing burrs, irregular edges, and flashes. The best type of deburring machine for your needs will depend on the types of products you manufacture, including their size and complexity. You’llYou’ll also need to consider the nature of your machining operations, coatings like paint or cladding, and the desired quality of your finished product.
Choosing the correct type of brush is another important consideration. Various meetings are available, including ones used with abrasive belts, which can effectively remove surface roughness and burrs from workpieces. The suitable abrasive and grit density will also ensure a good finish and avoid overworking the material or destroying its tolerances. Several different styles of brushes can be used in deburring machines, including those made with aluminum oxide or talc minerals.
Steel wire brushes are a common choice, but you should avoid using them on stainless steel, which may impregnate the metal with corrosion. Other options include abrasive nylon and mandrel-mounted brushes. The latter are ideal for curved surfaces and hard-to-reach areas. They come in various diameters and can be used with wet or dry machines.
Contact Drum
A contact drum, sometimes known as a vibratory deburring machine, is an excellent choice for bulk finishing operations. Unfinished or dirty parts are loaded into a drum with abrasive tumbling media and vibrated to break down burrs and other particles. It is essential to use a high-quality, durable tumbling media that’sthat’s suitable for your application. Dropping media comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and abrasions. The type of tumbling media you choose depends on whether you’re removing sharp burrs, shaping radii, or polishing a surface. A hard contact drum is required to remove the material from plasma or laser cutting if you’re dealing with a thermal burr called slag.
A more complex drum, between 55 and 85 Shore, can be used to grind and burnish the stainless steel surface of a piece after the deburring process. While abrasive brushes effectively smooth surface burrs, they’re not good at removing nibble marks from vertical edges. These shaved sections are sometimes called scallops and can cause injury if they catch on moving machines or human fingers while handling parts.
A vibratory deburring machine can eliminate these hazards and make your products safe to drive. It can also improve consistency and quality by automating the process, reducing the need for manual labor, and eliminating variations between operators. This saves money, reduces liability, and enables production to proceed smoothly from start to finish.
Filtering System
While mechanical deburring equipment is faster, more accurate, and repeatable than removing burrs by hand, it still requires careful attention. Even the most experienced metalworkers can create mistakes that result in poor quality or unusable pieces. Automating the process eliminates these human errors and allows faster, cleaner results. A sound filtering system will help ensure that any dust or debris from the deburring process doesn’tdoesn’t get into the machine or coolant. The system will also help control abrasives’ flow to avoid overuse or contamination.
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Choose a wet deburring machine that can also be used as a dry one to maximize flexibility. Some deburring machines are designed to work with a specific type of abrasive, while others work well on any material that needs to be cleaned or polished. For example, top brushes are best for removing sharp edges on metal parts that are galvanized or coated. Barrel brushes can remove oxidation from laser-cut edges on stainless steel pieces. To get the most out of your deburring machine, consult an expert to determine which style and type of brush, contact drum, abrasive belt, abrasive speed, conveyor speed, and filtering system will work best for you. Evaluating these factors will ensure that you have the suitable machine for your shop’sshop’s unique needs and can quickly produce quality pieces with consistent, superior results.
Blades
Burrs are dangerous; they can cut or injure anyone handling your metal materials if not removed properly. This includes everyone from material handlers and shippers to end-users and consumers. They also threaten equipment and machinery because they can prevent pieces from working correctly or cause them to break down sooner than expected.
Manual deburring is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process that can create inconsistent results and introduce errors that impact production standards. Implementing an automated deburring machine into your facility can eliminate this risk and produce more consistent results in less time. Many suppliers offer metal deburring machines designed to meet your needs and product specifications.
For example, if your shop is small enough not to be able to run large parts in a typical finishing machine, you can use a rotary brush machine that utilizes solutions like sticky belts to hold the parts in place. You’ll also find several machines built to be integrated into robots and automation systems for a more versatile and efficient operation. This makes performing deburring operations around the clock easy, allowing your business to operate at peak productivity. This can help you save on labor costs and boost your ROI over time.
