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Case Study

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Crankshaft
Mirror finish

A “superfinishing” process using ActOn’s special Chemcut compound
in a Vibratory Trough machine. A three stage process was developed
to remove all machining lines and achieve a smooth surface finish.
The part resulted in a bright mirror finish. The process delivered a
superior surface finish in a considerably reduced time whilst
maintaining the dimensional integrity of the part.

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Case study 123

Valve Seat Guide
Cleaning and Degreasing

The aim was to achieve a clean and degreased surface in a 1 lap process. We achieved the finish in just 2 minutes using a single type of media and compound in the vibratory bowl machine. We also designed an automated system to process high volumes of parts, reduce manual handling, and ensure consistent results

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Case Study

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Piston
Remove machining lines and polish

The finish was achieved in a two-step process, using the high energy finishing machine to remove the lines and ActOn's vibratory bowl to polish. The consumables used included an abrasive media for the first stage, a polishing media for the second stage and a concentrated cleaning and polishing compound.

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Automotive Surface Finishing for Performance, Durability and Efficiency

Automotive surface finishing is the controlled post-processing of machined, forged or cast components to improve surface integrity, reduce friction and extend service life.

In modern automotive and motorsport applications, surface finish directly influences:

  • Engine efficiency.
  • Wear resistance.
  • Friction coefficients.
  • Fuel economy.
  • Component temperature control.
  • Fatigue resistance.

ActOn Finishing develops automotive surface finishing systems designed for repeatable, high-volume production while maintaining strict dimensional tolerances.

This is particularly critical in high-performance and motorsport environments where marginal efficiency gains translate into measurable performance improvements.

Superfinishing for Engine and Drivetrain Components

Superfinishing processes remove microscopic peaks left by machining without altering part geometry.

Applications include:

  • Crankshafts.
  • Camshafts.
  • Pistons.
  • Valve components.
  • Gear systems.
  • Transmission parts.

As demonstrated in the crankshaft case study, multi-stage vibratory and high energy finishing can remove machining lines and deliver mirror finishes while preserving dimensional integrity.

Benefits of superfinishing automotive components include:

  • Reduced friction losses.
  • Lower lubricant demand.
  • Improved surface contact behaviour.
  • Enhanced durability under load.
  • Increased component lifespan.

Surface Preparation for High-Volume Automotive Production

Automotive manufacturers require finishing systems that are:

  • Repeatable.
  • Scalable.
  • Automatable.
  • Traceable.
  • Cost-efficient.

ActOn's vibratory bowl machines, vibratory trough systems and centrifugal high energy finishing machines are designed to integrate into automated production lines, as referenced in the valve seat guide case study.

Automation enables::

  • Reduced manual handling.
  • Controlled cycle times.
  • Consistent surface quality.
  • Increased throughput.

This ensures suitability for OEM, Tier 1 and motorsport suppliers.

Materials Processed in Automotive Finishing

ActOn systems are configured to process:

  • Hardened steels.
  • Aluminium alloys.
  • High-strength cast components.
  • Stainless steel.
  • Performance alloy materials.
  

Media and compound selection is tailored to material hardness and surface finish targets to ensure geometry remains intact.

FAQs

Superfinishing reduces microscopic surface peaks, lowering friction and improving lubricant performance, which enhances efficiency and component lifespan.

Yes. Vibratory and centrifugal finishing systems can be integrated into automated production lines for high-volume processing.

When engineered correctly, finishing removes controlled material without compromising part geometry or tolerances.

Crankshafts, camshafts, gears, pistons and valve components benefit significantly from reduced friction and improved surface integrity.

Request a quote for automotive surface finishing trial today to evaluate friction reduction and durability improvement.

 

Request a Free Trial: sales@acton-finishing.co.uk

Call: +44 (0) 24 7646 6914