The mass-finishing process uses friction to produce the desired results. And it can either be wet or dry, depending on the type of application. There can be different vibratory components to facilitate and enhance the process. But the four most important components are the media, compound solution, solution feed, and equipment.
Media
The chips and stones in the vibratory finishing machine are the media. There can be different variations of this, ranging from aggressive grades that can remove large quantities of metals in parts to those that cannot cut at all. And each type will have the same function.
Separate and cushion parts
Typically, you mix parts with the media in random distribution. And you need to have the proper ratio of media to control the amount of contact between parts. If you have insufficient amounts of media, parts will collide more often, which can cause irreparable damage.Â
Contact critical edges and surfaces.
Some media shapes can give a false sense of security. For example, plastic cones are a popular choice for media because their pointed end can touch all the areas of parts. But it needs to have a mix of sizes, or else it won’t work much.
Provide Proper Degree of Cut and Luster
Remember, abrasive media will cut. And the more abrasive it is, the more it can cut. On the other hand, non-abrasive media will only produce luster.
Compound Solution
This is the least understood component of the vibratory machine, which is why users sometimes abuse it. It has the following several functions:
Control pH, Foam, and Water Hardness
Mass-finishing solutions will have a pH between 1 to 14. But typically, manufacturers prefer to use a range from 4 to 14.
Foam is necessary for cleaning and holding the solution in place. But too much of it will kill the process of the vibratory machine.
Water hardness can vary from place to place. So the compound solution will equalize it to the optimum level.
Wet Surfaces
If your solution cannot wet or spread on surfaces, it cannot properly clean your parts.
Remove Tarnish or Scale
Both acidic and basic compound solutions can remove tarnish or scale. But if you use an acidic solution, you’ll need to inhibit it properly to protect the base metal.
Provide Cooling
If the vibratory process runs on dry surfaces, the temperature will rise quickly from friction. The compound solution can provide cooling,
Solution Feed
You can categorize solution-feed systems into three types: recirculation, flow-through, and batch.
The simplest system would be a batch typically used in vibrators with no drains or barrels. Recirculation is the most efficient since it reuses the solution of a previous batch. But it is prone to contamination. Flow-through only pumps fresh solution to the machine. But it can be expensive, especially since you will use plenty of compound solutions.
Equipment
Of course, none of the above matters if you don’t have the proper equipment. And it needs to:
Process parts
The main task of your equipment is to clean, deburr, burnish and condition the surface. So ensure you have the proper machine like those in Inovatec Machinery.
Control Mass Action
Your equipment needs to have adjustments so you can have the option to have gentler or more aggressive work.
Separation
The option of separating your parts should be available to you so you can prevent parts from contacting each other during the vibratory finishing process.
Conclusion
One of the most efficient ways to get a smooth finish on multiple parts is to use a vibratory finishing machine. And not much has changed to its main components and process throughout the years. So if you know anyone curious about what vibratory machines consist of, share this article with them.
