The Vibratory Finishing Machine is a mass finishing equipment that uses vibration to deburr, polish, clean and remove surface contamination from products or parts. It is used to create a smooth, consistent surface on multiple pieces of workpieces at the same time. This is useful in preparing the surface for coating, plating or adhesive material application. It can also be used to slightly reduce the size or radius of workpieces. It is a versatile and cost-effective process.
The vibratory finishing process consists of placing workpieces and media into a tub or bowl that is then made to vibrate. This action causes friction between the workpieces and the abrasive media, resulting in a finish that would be difficult to achieve by hand. Typical applications for this type of finishing include intensive deburring, edge radiusing, polishing and rust removal. Even common items like metal cutlery undergo vibratory finishing to ensure that the rough edges are smoothed.
Vibratory finishing is an effective and affordable method of removing burrs that are the result of the machining process or from other sources such as grinding. The result is a more polished and attractive product that meets or exceeds quality standards. It can also be a cost-effective way to produce large numbers of workpieces quickly and easily. There are two types of finishes that can be achieved with a vibratory finishing system: wet or dry. In a wet vibratory finish, the process is aided with water or other specialty chemicals that act as a lubricant and coolant to minimize heat generated from the rubbing of the workpieces against each other. This allows for faster production speeds and a lower cost per part than the dry process. However, the use of water adds to the overall cost and the waste from the spent chemicals must be disposed of properly.
There are several different configurations of mass finishing machines, but the simplest is the vibratory bowl. This consists of a bowl that sits on springs with a motor on the underside. The bowl can be equipped with adjustable and removable dividers to process small and sensitive parts separately. This prevents part-to-part contact and reduces wear. It can be lined with a polyurethane to reduce the coefficient of friction between the workpieces and the media.
Vibratory machines are available in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate the needs of different manufacturing processes. The most common configurations are batch tubs and round bowls. Both types of finishing machines require a high-quality and durable lining to keep the working environment safe and clean. They should be equipped with a 3-phase electric power supply to ensure proper operation. The power supply should be ISO or CE certified. This is important because it will help prevent any issues that may be caused by a malfunctioning machine. It is also recommended that first-time users of vibratory finishing equipment consult with experts to get a better understanding of the machine and the process.
