Why Accessories Matter in Finishing
At ActOn Finishing, we know that the right accessories can transform the performance of your finishing machines. Mass finishing accessories are more than add-ons, they improve efficiency, extend equipment life, and ensure consistent quality. For process engineers and maintenance leads, these tools are essential for maintaining productivity and reducing downtime.
What Are Mass Finishing Accessories?
Mass finishing accessories are components designed to complement vibratory, centrifugal, and disc finishing machines. They allow your system to adapt to different materials, part shapes, and finish requirements. By reducing manual handling and optimising process flow, they enhance both speed and quality.
Key Accessories to Improve Your Process
1. Separation System
Separating parts from finishing media is a time-consuming step if done manually. Separation systems automate this process, ensuring quick, safe, and consistent separation without damaging delicate components. Upon completion of the process, the separation flap is engaged manually or pneumatically, allowing vibrations to move the parts over a separation screen. Reversing the rotational direction of the motor ensures the contents in the process chamber move in the opposite direction, thus clearing the ramp area. It ensures no parts are left in the process chamber. Parts and media then travel onto the separation screen. While media drops back into the machine (via the separation screen holes), parts are unloaded from the machine.
2. Media Hopper or Feeder
The top up media hopper or feeder is polyurethane lined and has been designed to replenish worn out media at set intervals. As the level of media reduces in this hopper, a signal is sent to the operator. This ensures the media to parts ratio is maintained in the machine, thus giving consistent results.
3. Dosing Units
A dosing unit ensures the right amount of compound and water is introduced into the process, maintaining consistent cleaning and polishing results.
4. Acoustic Lids
Acoustic lids reduce noise levels during operation, improving the working environment for operators and helping meet workplace noise regulations. It helps to reduce the noise level by 57% in comparison with a machine in process without an acoustic lid.
5. Vibratory Parts Feeder
This accessory accumulates single or multiple batches and can transfer components by a set weight into the machine directly or via a conveyor. In order to facilitate storing multiple batches of parts, pneumatically operated gates can be incorporated. The parts can be fed directly into the vibratory parts feeder from other machines or accessories such as an automatic saw. Incorporating the parts feeder into a system can improve the throughput significantly, and reduce the manual handling of components.
6. Rotary Tables
Rotary tables streamline the unloading process, reducing downtime and manual labour.
How Accessories Boost Efficiency
- Consistency: Automated accessories help maintain repeatable process quality.
- Reduced Downtime: Faster changeovers and simplified maintenance keep production running.
- Extended Machine Life: Components such as liners and protective accessories prevent premature wear.
- Improved Safety: Accessories limit manual handling and operator exposure to noise and dust.
Benefits for Process Engineers
- More control over process variables.
- Easier integration into existing workflows.
- The ability to fine-tune finishing results for different projects.
Benefits for Maintenance Leads
- Fewer breakdowns due to reduced wear.
- Simplified routine servicing.
- Extended operational lifespan of core machinery.
FAQs
Do accessories fit all machine types?
Most can be adapted to vibratory, centrifugal, and disc finishing machines, but sizing and compatibility should be confirmed.
Will accessories slow down the process?
No. In most cases, they speed up production by reducing manual tasks.
Are they worth the investment?
Yes. Accessories can quickly pay for themselves through labour savings, reduced downtime, and improved quality.
Conclusion: Small Additions, Big Gains
Investing in the right mass finishing accessories is one of the fastest ways to improve efficiency, consistency, and safety. Whether you need media separators for speed, part holders for protection, or dosing units for process accuracy, ActOn Finishing offers solutions designed to keep your operations running smoothly and profitably.
Call: +44 (0) 24 7646 6914
Email: sales@acton-finishing.co.uk