Single Step Finishing Solution to Deburr and Polish Forged Automotive Parts

The Solution – How we deburred and polished forged automotive parts?

We started by working out the weekly volumes and we determined that the mass finishing process should be no longer than 15 minutes. As a normal vibratory bowl may not achieve the required finish within the time frame, we decided the most appropriate finishing technology to use is the Centrifugal High Energy finishing machine. Furthermore we have identified that by using divider plates in the High Energy finishing machine barrels, we can process 12 parts per load.

Our team also developed a unique finishing process, using a single type of media and compound. As the axle holder is manufactured out of Aluminium we used a medium abrasive ceramic media for descaling and deburring. We carefully chose the media size and shape to avoid any lodgement while managing to finish even hard to reach areas of the part.

Beside using the correct machinery and media the compound was integral for the success of the finishing process. We used a liquid compound that acts as a concentrated cleaner and a good polisher. Furthermore the compound has other functions such as:

• Suspending the dirt and media residues and flushing them from the system
• Keeping the components and media clean, which brings stability to the process
• Acts as a lubricant, thus extending the media life

The process benefits include:

• Achieved the required finish in a reduced processing time.
• Avoided any part impingement by using the divider plates.
• Produced a repeatable and quality finished product.
• Simplified the finishing process by developing a single step finishing solution and using one type of media and compound.
• Customised the finishing process as per customer’s needs

Result

The process resulted in complete scale removal and a deburred and bright finish all in a single step process, thus achieving the throughput.

Before / After