Ceramic media are materials used in the finishing process to aid in deburring, polishing, separating and cleaning of parts. They can be used for light as well as heavy deburring, fast deburring and rough metal removal. They are best suited for hard metals heavy cutting requirements. When small sized media are needed (around three fourth of an inch size), ceramic media has the best options. They can be used even for very heavy metal parts effectively. They are made out in different shapes like angle cut cylinders and triangles, cones, straight cut triangles, cylindrical wedges and angle cut tristars and ellipses.
Ceramic media are long lasting, cheap and can be put to multiple uses. They are manufactured in a variety of shapes that are precise and which prove very useful in preventing lodging problems and also in separating parts. They are made primarily with silica. Other materials in the manufacture of ceramic media include minerals and abrasives. Silica, minerals and abrasives are combined in different proportions and treated at a high temperature to produce a very hard product that is as strong as a cement product.
Ceramic media of varying density is used for different purposes. Where a rough finishing is needed (fast cutting and rough surfaces), higher density ceramic media is used. For smoother finishing, lesser density ceramic media is ideal. Higher the proportion of the abrasive material used in the manufacture of ceramic media, higher is the density. Higher the density, quicker is the wear and tear. There fore, higher density ceramic media should be considered only for special cases and when there is a need for cycle time reduction. To aid in special finishing requirements, the ceramic media can be tailored by changing the type and amount of abrasive grain used.
The fastest available option for mass finishing of parts is the centrifugal barrel machines. Their cycle times are 20 times faster compared to vibratory finishing machines. The centrifugal barrel machines have large barrels for loading parts, media and finishing compounds. They are high energy machines. In a typical centrifugal machine, there is a turret at the centre. A set of barrels are placed around the turret. When the turret starts rotating in one direction, they set the barrels rotating in the other direction. Thus a high energy sliding action is produced inside the barrels, imparting a uniform finish to the parts. Barrels are normally made of steel; sometimes they are made from composite materials too. They have polyurethane lining and can be removed during the loading and unloading process. Steel barrels are meant for cycle times exceeding one hour; for cycle times less than an hour, composite barrels are ideal.
Centrifugal barrel machines come with process timers that can be set for specific finishing jobs. There is an emergency stop switch that can be used in crisis scenario. Indicator lights and safety locks are generally provided to ensure control and safety. Wiring can be done for different electrical voltage settings. To explore options in centrifugal barrel machines and ceramic media, visit http://gravcollc.com/
Posted 1 year, 3 months ago at 7:55 pm. Add a comment
Finishing is a term to describe the process of burnishing, cleaning, deburring and separation of parts using machines and materials called media to assist in the process. It is an important process to ensure that the parts come out with high quality in terms of a smooth fit and proper functionality apart from becoming aesthetically sound. There are primarily two types of machines used in mass finishing of parts – that is finishing of several parts together. These are tumbling or barrelling machines and vibratory machines.
Tumbling barrels are typically used for rough and tough jobs on hard metals. They are very good for deburring of heavy burrs. They are also recommended for burnishing, radius-ing of jagged edges plus breaking parts from runners. They can unction with or without using finishing media. Tumbling barrels are ideal when the loads are heavy; such loads cannot go on vibratory systems. These barrels run at optimum level when they are half filled. Barrels that have screens can be used as a plastic deflashing machine. Parts can be separated when screen doors are installed in these barrels.
There are wet and dry tumbling barrels. Wet barrel involves batch processing which means the parts are processed as batches. They are used for deburring and polishing, radius-ing, cleaning and improving the surface appearance and smoothness. Processing metals is best done in wet tumbling barrels. This equipment can be used in dry processing too, when needed. Dry barrelling is also a batch processor which is normally used to polish and deburr without liquids. Dry barrels can deflash, grind and form radii too. Compared to a wet system, these produce smoother and more uniform finish. Predominantly, wet tumbling is used in tumbling barrels. But specific cases like lack of readily available water make the dry process a more viable option.
Centrifugal barrel machines are also used in mass finishing of parts. They have gained a lot of popularity because they are the fastest finishing machines available today – about 20 times faster than a vibratory sytem’s cycle times. They are high energy machines in which the parts are placed in closed barrels. Finishing media, water and finishing compounds are added on. The barrels rotate to provide a sliding action inside which gives a uniform finish to the parts. The barrels are made of steel or a composite material and have urethane lining. They can be removed for loading and unloading purposes. Composite barrels can be used where cycle times are expected to be under an hour. For longer durations and larger machine, steel barrels are advisable.
The centrifugal barrel machines come with electronic controls that make them very simple to use. These controls include a process timer that controls the rotation times. There is an emergency stop for crisis situations. Indicator lights help in process tracking. Safety features are there to ensure that these machines cant run without covers and other locks in place. They are also typically wired for different voltage needs. For gaining more insights, http://gravcollc.com/ can be referred.
Posted 1 year, 3 months ago at 8:14 pm. Add a comment
David Scheetz is principal owner and CEO and Robert Summey is Sales manager. These two together bring over fifty years of metal finishing experience to Grav Co LLC.
Grav Co LLC manufactures the finest mass finishing equipment and supplies in the marketplace. We build Torex vibratory finishing machines, deburring machines, Grav-i-Flo disc finishing, high speed and low speed barrel finishing, tumbling barrels, centrifugal barrel machines and spin finishing equipment in our Sturgis, Michigan plant. We also manufacture vibratory finishing media, corn cob media, plastic deburring media, walnut shell media, and various liquid and tumbling compounds, and have a very good line of ceramic finishing media.
The trade name Grav-i-Flo has been synonymous with quality finishing equipment and supplies for over sixty years. We are able to provide you a quote on standard equipment, and supplies in one day or less. We ship most supply orders in one to two days. We are a world class supplier of finishing equipment and supplies.
New Products
A new product line currently on the drawing board is standard parts washers. We are building a cellular style belt and rotary drum washers. If you have a parts washer project currently that you think a simple belt or drum washer will suffice, we build a very good washer at a very competitive price. Try us, I think you will like the products and our team. Let us help you resolve your finishing needs.
Posted 1 year, 3 months ago at 5:45 pm. Add a comment