Selecting the correct mass finishing media is easier said than done. It requires experience with mass finishing processes, consumables and finishing machines.
So, are you using the right mass finishing media? We’ve shared our knowledge and insight to provide you with everything you need to know to ensure you achieve the optimum results in the most cost-effective way.
How can you achieve your required surface finish?
The recipe to achieve the required surface finish involves using the correct machinery, media, and compound. However, if your knowledge in the field is not so advanced, we recommend carrying out processing trials. This will enable you to test, improve and ascertain the finishing process parameters and establish a repeatable solution. When finishing trials prove to be time consuming and less successful, we believe that it is prudent to take expert advice and recommendations. Carrying out trials with the help of an expert will help you achieve optimum, repeatable and cost effective finishing results.
Why is choosing the correct media important?
There are many reasons why the type of mass finishing media is important, the most significant being that it is what produces smooth surface finishing results and performs required tasks such as deburring, polishing, and cleaning. Mass finishing media, however, plays a much bigger role. It maintains parts suspended in the mass, keep it separate to minimise damage, act as a carrier for the compound, and transmit machine energy where vibration is considered.
What are the key considerations?
When selecting your mass finishing media, there are a few factors you need to consider:
Material of part to be processed – Before you can begin the mass finishing process, the first thing you need to do is assess the parts you’re processing and understand what material is best suited. For soft materials you would need a plastic media, while a ceramic media is better used on components made out of harder materials.
Type of media – Gauging the type of mass finishing media to use is crucial to receiving the results you desire. Ceramic Media is better suited for removing burrs, edge radiusing, and burnishing, while a harder, Polishing Media is used for burnishing processes and quickly removing polishing lines. Plastic Media is better suited for removing burrs without rolling the burr onto the part, achieving a smooth surface finish. For a bright or matte surface finish on components, Agro Media can be used with the addition of final finish refinement. Finally, applications for Stainless Steel Media include burnishing, cleaning, improving compressive strength and light deburring.
Media shape – When choosing the shape of the media it is important to consider the geometry of the part, therefore, any lodgement of mass finishing media can be avoided and the overall finish of the part will be consistent.
Media size – The component finish is also subject to the size of the chosen media. A larger media will generate higher energy, meaning it will cut and finish faster with higher wear rates. This is also recommended for processing larger parts, while smaller media can hold more water and compound resulting in less part-on-part damage. Additionally, a smaller media has a gentler impact on part, which results in longer processing times, better finishes, and less media wear.
Find your right media
From media size and type, and shape to understanding how to best apply these, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the right mass finishing media for your process. With the help of our experts, carrying out processing trials will help you achieve optimum, repeatable and cost effective finishing results.