For additional information contact the Contributing Editor: David A, Davidson Deburring/Finishing Technologist | +1.509-563.9859 Cell and WhatsApp ddavidson@deburring-tech-group.com | dryfinish.wixsite.com/iso-finish
If you have parts that need edge or surface finishing improvement and would like to have FREE sample part processing and a quotation developed for finishing the parts please contact Dave Davidson at ddavidson@deburring-tech-group.com I can also be reached at 509.563.9859 Information about equipment for bringing Centrifugal Iso-Finishing capability to your facility is also available…
Below are some process video footage demonstrations of high-speed centrifugal isotropic finishing. These automated high-energy and hands-free edge and surface finishing methods are capable of producing very refined low micro-inch surfaces that can improve functional part performance and service life and minimize the need for hand-deburring or finishing methods. (1) The first video shows a process for smoothing and then polishing some aluminum parts. Other metal alloys can also be deburred, finished or polished with variations of this basic process. (2) The second video in the series was shot by SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers) on the factory floor at MacKay Manufacturing in Spokane, Washington. Katie MacKay narrates how they utilize Centrifugal Iso-Finish processes to minimize hand-deburring and develop highly polished surfaces for their precision medical, aerospace and other components. The other videos offer additional Centrifugal Iso-Finishing information…
Below: Some part application slides of high energy isotropic finish processing…
ABOVE: Isotropic Micro-Finishing Part Photography by Mark Riley, BV Products
Centrifugal Iso-Finishing Technology
Centrifugal barrel finishing (CBF) is a high-energy finishing method, which has come into widespread acceptance in the last few years. A long list of important centrifugal iso-finishing applications has been developed in the last few years for the aerospace, medical, high-performance motor-sports, precision machined component and additive manufacturing industries.
Similar in some respects to barrel finishing, in that a drum-type container is partially filled with media and set in motion to create a sliding action of the contents, CBF is different from other finishing methods in some significant ways. Among these are the high pressures developed in terms of media contact with parts, the unique sliding action induced by rotational and centrifugal forces, and accelerated abrading or finishing action. As is true with other high energy processes, because time cycles are much abbreviated, surface finishes can be developed in minutes, which might tie up conventional equipment for many hours.
The principle behind CBF is relatively straightforward. Opposing barrels or drums are positioned circumferentially on a turret. (Most systems have either two or four barrels mounted on the turret; some manufacturers favor a vertical and others a horizontal orientation for the turret.) As the turret rotates at high speed, the barrels are counter-rotated, creating very high G-forces or pressures, as well as considerable media sliding action within the drums. Pressures as high as 50 Gs have been claimed for some equipment. The more standard equipment types range in size from 1 ft3 (30 L) to 10 ft3, although much larger equipment has been built for some applications.
Media used in these types of processes tend to be a great deal smaller than the common sizes chosen for the barrel and vibratory processes. The smaller media, in such a high-pressure environment, are capable of performing much more work than would be the case in lower energy equipment. They also enhance access to all areas of the part and contribute to the ability of the equipment to develop very fine finishes. In addition to the ability to produce meaningful surface finish effects rapidly, and to produce fine finishes, CBF has the ability to impart compressive stress into critical parts that require extended metal fatigue resistance. Small and more delicate parts can also be processed with confidence, as the unique sliding action of the process seems to hold parts in position relative to each other, and there is generally little difficulty experienced with part impingement. Dry process media can be used in certain types of equipment and is used for light deburring, polishing, and producing very refined isotropic super-finishes.
Below: SME Webinar Presentation on Centrifugal Isotropic Finishing by Dave Davidson (SME Tech Advisor) and Jack Clark (Surface Analytics.com)
Below: Centrifugal Iso-Finishing Technology. A gallery of finished parts…
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY – David A. Davidson, [dryfinish@gmail.com]
Mr. Davidson is a deburring/surface finishing specialist and consultant. He has contributed technical articles to Metal Finishing and other technical and trade publications and is the author of the Mass Finishing section in the current Metal Finishing Guidebook and Directory. He has also written and lectured extensively for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Society of Plastics Engineers, American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Association and the Mass Finishing Job Shops Association. Mr. Davidson’s specialty is finishing process and finishing product development.
For additional information on contract deburring and finishing services with the Centrifugal Iso-Finishing method visit our web-page on Contract Finishing.
SEE: https://dryfinish.wordpress.com/2016/08/05/contract-finishing-and-free-sample-part-processing-for-centrifugal-isotropic-finishing-and-polishing/
Subtractive Manufacturing Technology Blog 
Do you do any large part 6061 alum. deburring and polishing to 32 & 16 RA, or do you know a company local in the San Jose, Ca. area?
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Hi William: Thanks for your inquiry about deburring and polishing of large aluminum parts. (By the way – how large is large? Can you give me some over-all dimensions for example?)
This sounds like it might be a really good application for Centrifugal Isofinishing. I am in fact finishing up project on large aluminum parts in LA that involves hand deburring minimization and polishing. I don’t think that the 16 or 32 micro-inch RA requirements will pose that much of a challenge.
Do you have some of these parts available for (Free) sample processing and feasibility testing? Would it be possible to get some smart-phone pictures of some of the parts so I can make an initial assessment? Please let me know, and I will work to make arrangements for this and give you a shipping address. Here is a project I was also involved with where the company purchased centrifugal isotropic finishing equipment initially for the deburring and polishing of aluminum parts. (SEE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUdKjaysTYM ) We offer both equipment with process development as well as contract finishing services (though I don’t have a San Jose location for that)
Please let me know if you have questions or if there is a way I can be helpful.
Best regards,
Free Sample Processing
Contract Deburring and Finishing Services
High Energy Finishing Equipment and Process Development
________________________
Dave Davidson
Deburring/Finishing Specialist
SME Tech Community Advisor
dryfinish@gmail.com | 509.230.6821
https://dryfinish.wordpress.com
http://about.me/dave.davidson
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For Information of our free sample finishing program and contract finishing services SEE: https://dryfinish.wordpress.com/2016/08/05/contract-finishing-and-free-sample-part-processing-for-centrifugal-isotropic-finishing-and-polishing/
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