Competition is forcing management to eliminate costly labor operations. Many jobs can no longer justify the expense of hand polishing. Management is relying heavily on the knowledge and advice of their finishing and plating operators to help choose new systems. One of the major sectors of mass finishing systems is the vibratory machine. While there are automatic buffers, barrel tumblers and centrifuge finishing systems, none can approach vibratory finishing for the low production cost per piece. With the proper application of media and compounds, finishes in the 10 to 4 micro-inch range can be produced in a vibrator. The system can also be automated to eliminate virtually all hand labor. Die-castings can now go from casting machines to vibrator and then to plating without being touched by human hands. Vibratory Finishing in Pre-Plate Finishing Generally, vibratory finishers can remove flash or burrs and refine surfaces. Vibratory finishers can also be used as a super active degreasing and chip remover or roughen plastics and metals for good adhesion of coatings. The vibrator works by causing the media to rub against the pieces. This action is induced by shaking the tub in a circular motion or in the case of the doughnut shaped machines, wobbling. While the load is scrubbing, the vibratory action also causes the load to circulate in the tub at a slow rate. This circulation keeps the pieces apart to avoid impinging on each other. The rubbing activity is not only produced on the outer surface of the piece, but even inside a cup shape or a blind hole. Cleaners or soaps can be pumped through the tub for cleaning or burnishing operations. The action is very rapid due to the high G-force and the fact that the entire load is being cut at the same time and not just a small slide area, such as that which occurs in a barrel tumbler.
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Robert Kramer (Kramer Industrial, Inc.)
P. O. Box 1008, United States
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