Barrel Finishing Process

Barrel Finishing Process

Barrel Finishing Process - Materials those may barrel finished include metals, Glass, Plastic and Rubber. Barrel finishing is relatively slow. Barrel finishing differs from tumbling in that barrel finishing, denotes a more precise operation. Barrel finishing is a batch type operation; it is usually not compatible with inline processing.

Barrel Finishine Machines

A typical barrel finishing machine is a horizontally mounted eightsided unit with a watertight loading door. The barrel is loaded within 50 to 60 110 its rated capacity with components, media and compound. As the barrel rotates, parts and media are carried up the side until gravity causes them to slide down again. The rotational speeds of barrel range from 15 to 60 m per minute. Low surface speeds are usually employed for burnishing while faster surface speeds are used for heavier stock removal operations.

Components charged in the barrel may be of any shape but size is limited by the size of barrel. Any material such as steel, aluminium, bras, ceramic or molded rubber and small, thin parts, complex castings, stampings etc., all can be barrel finished.

The media (abrasives) are the bonded stones of various molded shapes and they do most of the finishing job. The stones come in a variety of sizes from 3.2 to 48.0 mm on a side and 2.4 to 16.0 mm thick. Their material may be aluminium oxide, silicon carbide, ceramics, quartz etc.

The compound is a liquid which may be acidic alkaline or neutral. The compound may be abrasive or nonabrasive. The compound cushions between the parts and the media. It may also wash the parts add rust inhibitors and bushaway the small particles of burrs or media.