The Role and Significance of Vibratory Finishing in the Manufacturing Process

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the manufacturing industry employs 8.5% of the workforce, an approximate 12.75 million jobs. In 2018, manufacturing drove 11.6% of the United States' total economic output, a contribution of $2.33 trillion to the country's GDP, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Being that half of U.S. exports are comprised of manufactured goods, undoubtedly, the manufacturing industry is essential to the economic health of the country.

Out of the many steps involved in the processing of a product, there is one essential step that involves the finishing of metal surfaces.

What Is Vibratory Finishing?

Essentially, it involves metal polishing, smoothing, and cleaning. There are four elements involved -- equipment, media, parts, and compound solutions -- all of which are placed into a vibratory deburring machine that finishes metal surfaces.

Deburring machines produce vibrations with all elements inside. This leads to the grinding of parts and media within the vibratory finishing equipment, which results in deburring of the parts.

What Is Deburring?

The process that takes place within a deburring machine removes the "burrs" (various shavings, particles, or surface inconsistencies) present on metal that has undergone some manufacturing process.

Finishing tools may be used in order to clean, to smooth, to polish, or to provide various other kinds of finishes for surfaces.

The purpose of cleaning would be the removal of contaminants or debris. Smoothing aims to reduce and grind away sharp edges or defects on the metal component. Polishing results in a smooth and reflective surface. The qualities of the resulting surface -- whether reflective, lustrous, or simply smooth and without surface defects -- is dependent on the desired finish and what the deburred component is intended for.

The Benefits of Vibratory Finishing

Vibratory finishing machines typically cause less wear, which results in higher durability, and components that undergo processing tend to run cooler and more efficiently, due to smoother surfaces.

The equipment is not labor-intensive, particularly when it comes to mass finishing as the process is easily automated. Additionally, it is cost-effective, due to reduction in labor costs, while also providing more uniform, accurate, and standard finishes.

Vibratory Finishing Is A Great Option

Vibratory finishing is a great option when considering options for finishing metal surfaces, whether polishing, smoothing, cleaning, or deburring. Automation makes labor easy and cost-effective, and machinery may provide more consistent finish standards.

It is important to grind away sharp edges and defects on metal surfaces, not only for safety and aesthetics but also for higher efficiency in whatever product the component is meant for.