| abrasive |
A material consisting of hard particles used to remove workpiece material. Abrasives are used in both heavy and light material removal. |
| abrasive deburring |
The process of using bonded or loose abrasive grains to remove burrs. Abrasive deburring is more aggressive than brush deburring. |
| abrasive monofilament |
A single strand of synthetic fiber containing abrasive grains. Abrasive monofilament is an alternative to metal wire. |
| abrasive-flow machining |
AFM. The process of extruding a semisolid media through a workpiece's cavities to remove burrs. Abrasive-flow machining removes burrs in difficult-to-access places where media flow is restricted. |
| aluminum oxide |
A chemical compound of aluminum and oxygen that is used as a conventional abrasive. Aluminum oxide is extremely durable. |
| assembly |
A manufacturing process in which two or more components are joined together to create a finished part. Proper assembly requires burr-free parts. |
| automated |
Performed without human intervention or involvement. Automated burr removal systems use computers to control various deburring tools and process components. |
| automated deburring |
Burr removal performed without human intervention or involvement. Automated deburring uses computers to control various deburring tools and process components. |
| bar stock |
Raw material in the form of long bars or cylinders. Rough cutting bar stock can result in the formation of large burrs. |
| barrel tumbling |
A process in which parts and media tumble together inside of a rotating barrel to create friction that removes burrs. Barrel tumbling is the most common form of mass finishing. |
| batch |
A specific number of identical parts that move through the production cycle in a group. An entire batch of parts can be deburred in mass finishing. |
| blades |
A thin, sharp, handheld cutting tool. The deburring blade, or knife, is used to remove burrs from straight edges. |
| blasting |
The process of removing unwanted material by forcing abrasive particles against the surface of parts. Blasting uses pressurized air to spray particles at parts as they travel on a conveyor. |
| bonded abrasives |
A grinding tool made from the combination of abrasive grains and bond material. Bonded abrasives are typically in the form of grinding wheels. |
| bonding agent |
The adhesive material that holds abrasive grains together in a grinding tool. A bonding agent holds together the abrasive particles in a grinding wheel. |
| brittle |
A material that has limited resistance to being stretched, formed, or drawn. Brittle burrs are prone to removal. |
| brushes |
A finishing tool with filaments used to remove dirt, light rust, and other loose materials. A brush removes burrs without severely damaging the surface material. |
| burrs |
A sharp, unwanted projection on a machined workpiece. Burrs are removed during finishing to improve the functionality and appearance of the part. |
| cathode |
A negatively charged conductor through which electricity travels. A cathode can remove burrs but requires the assistance of a conductive solution. |
| centrifugal disc finishing |
A process in which parts are placed in a container of media and rotated by the centrifugal force of a disc to remove burrs. Centrifugal disc finishing deburrs parts very quickly. |
| centrifugal force |
A force that keeps an object moving in a circular or curved path. Centrifugal force is used in several mass finishing processes. |
| ceramic |
An inorganic material that consists of both metallic and nonmetallic atoms held together by strong bonds. Ceramic grains are used to remove material from a workpiece. |
| chamfers |
A beveled surface that eliminates a 90° sharp corner on the cutting edge. A chamfer makes a part's edge smooth. |
| coated abrasives |
An abrasive tool composed of abrasive grains adhered to a flexible backing material, such as paper, plastic, or cloth. Coated abrasive tools are often used for finishing operations. |
| computer numerical control |
CNC. A programmable control system for a machine tool that uses mathematical data and microcomputers to machine parts. A computer numerical control machine is much quicker and more accurate than its manual counterpart and has unique setup considerations. |
| continuous flow |
Moving parts through a production system without separating them into groups of a specific number. Continuous flow operations are possible with some mass finishing processes. |
| corrosion resistance |
A material's ability to resist the gradual degradation caused by the atmosphere, moisture, or other substances. Corrosion resistance allows a part to function properly for a longer period of time. |
| crimped |
Pinched, bent, or pressed into the desired shape. Crimped wires are more flexible for deburring lighter materials. |
| cryogenic deburring |
A process that uses extremely cold temperatures to aid in the removal of burrs. Cryogenic deburring freezes burrs and then mechanically removes the frozen, brittle burrs. |
| cup brushes |
A brush in which the filaments are bundled into a cup shape. Cup brushes are used for larger holes and short cavities. |
| cutoff burr |
A burr formed when material separates from the main workpiece before it is completely severed. Cutoff burrs are common in turning operations. |
| deburring |
Removing sharp projections left on a workpiece after a machining operation. Deburring is often done by hand or with machines or robots. |
| descaling |
Removing scale from a processed part by using a chemical substance or abrasive material. Descaling can be accomplished by many mass finishing processes. |
| ductile |
A material's ability to be drawn, stretched, or formed without breaking. Ductile materials, like wire brushes, bend easily. |
| ductility |
A material's ability to be drawn, stretched, or formed without breaking. Ductility generally increases with softer metals. |
| edge finishing |
A process that improves the quality of a part's edges. Edge finishing may include edge preparation, deburring, chamfering, polishing, or other operations that prepare edges for use or inspection. |
| electrochemical deburring |
ECD. The process of applying an electrified chemical solution to a workpiece to remove burrs. Electrochemical deburring is used when burrs are inaccessible to other deburring processes. |
| end brushes |
A brush in which the filaments are bundled tightly into a circular hub. End brushes reach into deep pockets and holes to remove burrs. |
| end-finishing machines |
A machine with a rotating cutting tool that deburrs or chamfers the ends of tubes and bars. End-finishing machines can quickly process parts. |
| extrudes |
Forcing through a die. Abrasive material is extruded through the intricate cavities of parts to remove burrs. |
| fatigue |
A condition in which metals begin to fail after being exposed to improper load conditions, too many deflections, or extreme temperatures. Fatigue can result in the failure of a mechanical device. |
| feed rate |
The rate at which the cutting tool and the workpiece move in relation to one another. Feed rate influences burr formation. |
| filaments |
An extremely thin strand of material. Filaments are used as bristles in wire brushes for surface finishing. |
| files |
A flat metal cutting tool with a large number of very small teeth. Files wear away workpiece burrs and material through abrasion. |
| finishing |
A metal cutting process that emphasizes tight tolerances and smooth surface finish. Finishing is usually the last step in the machining process. |
| fixed abrasives |
Abrasive grains adhered together with a bonding material or on backing material. Fixed abrasives can be bonded or coated tools used for material removal. |
| fixtured |
Effectively supported, located, and held by a custom workholding device. A fixtured workpiece prevents inconsistencies in deburring. |
| friction |
A force that resists motion between components in an operation. Increased friction in mass finishing leads to burr removal. |
| gear deburring machines |
A machine designed to deburr and chamfer gear teeth and edges. Gear deburring machines employ a variety of tools such as brushes, chamfering tools, and abrasives. |
| gears |
A round or cylindrical mechanical component with teeth that is used to transmit power. Gears are designed to mesh with one another and must be free of burrs to properly function. |
| glycol |
An organic compound belonging to the alcohol family. A glycol solution can be used to transmit electricity for deburring with the electrochemical deburring. |
| grains |
A small, hard particle or crystal of abrasive material. Abrasive grains are bonded together to create grinding wheels and other abrasive tools. |
| grinding cones |
A small cone made of a bonded abrasive used to remove material from a workpiece surface. A grinding cone removes burrs from holes and creates chamfers. |
| grinding wheels |
A disc made of a bonded abrasive used to remove material from a workpiece surface. A grinding wheel rotates and shears away small chips of material and can produce very fine surface finishes. |
| knives |
A thin, sharp, handheld cutting tool. A deburring knife, or blade, is used to remove burrs from straight edges. |
| lateral deformation |
The bulging of material caused by downward force. Lateral deformation is a characteristic of a Poisson burr. |
| loose abrasive deburring |
The process of removing burrs with unbonded ceramic grains. Loose abrasive deburring includes operations such as blasting and vibratory finishing. |
| lubricant retention |
A material's ability to absorb and hold a friction-reducing substance. Lubricant retention improves with better surface finishes. |
| manual deburring |
A process that removes burrs by using handheld cutting tools. Manual deburring is often used in combination with other mechanized and automated processes. |
| mass finishing |
A process that uses containers of rotating media to deburr multiple parts. Mass finishing is one of the most efficient deburring operations. |
| mechanized |
Performed and controlled by a machine. Mechanized processes often require a person to operate the machine. |
| mechanized deburring |
The process of using machines to perform burr removal operations. Mechanized deburring is a common practice in factories. |
| media |
Grains of abrasive or non-abrasive material used to modify surface finish in mass finishing and other finishing operations. Media for finishing operations are commonly made of ceramic materials. |
| part runs |
A series of identically-shaped finished products. Part runs require accurate and repeatable machining processes to ensure consistency. |
| pin vise |
A small, handheld cylindrical tool that grips rotary burs. A pin vise can be used for deburring very small parts. |
| plastic deformation |
Permanent deformation of a material due to stress. Plastic deformation occurs in many metal cutting operations. |
| Poisson burr |
A burr formed by the lateral flow of material away from a cutting tool. Poisson burrs result from the downward force of a cutting tool. |
| polypropylene |
A thermoplastic polymer used as a resin for traditional composites. Polypropylene is an alternative to metal wire for brush deburring. |
| radial brushes |
A circular brush that is center mounted. Radial brushes are typically powered by rotational force in a stationary machine. |
| radius |
A curved feature of a tool or part. The burr radius may be present at the base of the burr. |
| resin |
A raw polymer that has not been formed into its final molded shape. Resin is mixed with abrasive particles to create tools like grinding wheels. |
| robotic deburring |
The process of using robots to perform burr removal operations. Robotic deburring is used for large-batch and high-production operations. |
| rollover burr |
A burr formed by a cutting tool exiting a workpiece. A rollover burr bends over the edge of a machined part. |
| rotary burs |
A small precision cutting tool that rotates. Rotary burs can be used by hand or be motorized. |
| rough cutting |
The quick removal of metal from a workpiece without regard to tolerances or finish. Rough cutting is generally followed with additional cutting processes. |
| router bit |
A multi-point cutting tool used to machine edges or grooves into workpieces. Router bits are frequently used to make round edges. |
| sanding discs |
A round piece of woven or nonwoven material covered in a coated abrasive. Sanding discs are rotated by motorized devices to remove burrs from parts. |
| sanding pads |
A strip or square piece of woven or nonwoven material covered in a coated abrasive. Sanding pads can be used by hand to remove burrs from a part. |
| shear |
To cut material from a workpiece. Cutting tools that shear the workpiece material rather than tearing it may leave fewer burrs. |
| shock waves |
A pulsating disturbance traveling through space or material. Thermal shock waves remove burrs in the thermal energy method. |
| silica |
A ceramic compound that is commonly used to make a wide variety of sanding products. Loose silica grains are used in blasting deburring processes. |
| silicon carbide |
A chemical compound made from silicon and carbon. Silicon carbide abrasive grains are harder than aluminum oxide grains. |
| single-purpose machines |
A machine designed to execute one specific operation. Single-purpose machines perform operations such as deburring, brushing, grinding, and polishing. |
| spindle |
A machine component that holds and spins a workpiece or tool. Spindles hold one part at a time in spindle finishing. |
| spindle finishing |
A process in which a spindle rotates a workpiece in a rotating tub of abrasive media to remove burrs. Spindle finishing can process only a limited amount of parts in an operating cycle. |
| stock |
Raw material purchased from metal manufacturers in the form of long pieces. Stock is a common form of workpiece material. |
| surface finish |
The degree of roughness and variation on the surface of a part after it has been manufactured. Surface finish is affected by heat treatment, machining, and other manufacturing operations. |
| swivel blade |
A thin, sharp, handheld cutting tool that rotates. A swivel blade is used to remove burrs from straight or round edges. |
| Tampico |
A cellular vegetable fiber. Tampico is used for bristles in brushes. |
| tear burr |
A burr formed when chips are torn rather than sheared from the workpiece. Tear burrs occur in milling where the chip is forced up and forward. |
| thermal energy method |
TEM. The process of placing a part in a chamber of pressurized gas and igniting the gas to remove the part's burrs. The thermal energy method completely vaporizes the burrs. |
| threaded fasteners |
A cylindrical device with a long, spiraling ridge that holds objects together or locates them in relation to one another. Threaded fasteners like screws and bolts are best deburred by brushes. |
| tolerances |
An unwanted but acceptable deviation from a given dimension. Tolerances indicate the allowable difference between a part feature and its intended design. |
| tool geometry |
The angles formed by the shape and positioning of a cutting tool. Tool geometry is a key factor in part surface finish. |
| trimming presses |
A machine that uses various cutting dies and a mechanical or hydraulic press to remove rough edges and burrs. Trimming presses are widely used for deburring castings. |
| tube brushes |
A brush with twisted or spiral bristles on a long, thin stem. Tube brushes are used to deburr the insides of pipes or holes. |
| twisted tuft |
A bundle of wires with a spiral shape. Twisted tuft filaments provide more strength and force to brushes. |
| vibratory finishing |
A process in which parts move around in a vibrating container of media to remove burrs. Vibratory finishing is a common mass finishing process. |
| wear resistance |
A material's ability to resist the gradual wearing away caused by abrasion and friction. Deburring a workpiece can improve the wear resistance and lengthen the life of a material. |
| wide-face brushes |
A brush that consists of a large cylinder covered with filaments. Wide-face brushes can utilize any style of filament. |
| wire brushes |
A finishing tool with wire filaments used to remove dirt, light rust, and other loose materials. A wire brush removes burrs without severely damaging the surface material. |
| workpiece edgers |
A machine with an angled trough and a piloted chamfering tool that deburrs rectangular workpieces. Workpiece edgers need an operator to feed the workpieces into the machine. |