The six elements that go into Vibra Finish’s vibratory finishing

Vibratory finishing by Vibra Finish has many advantages over barrel finishing.

Vibra Finish has been a trusted source of metal finishing services for decades, known for innovative vibratory finishing techniques. Vibratory finishing is similar to barrel finishing in some ways, but uses different equipment to create smoother surfaces and reach cavities in unusually shaped parts. It can also finish a larger variety of parts, like fragile or very large ones, which barrel tumblers damage.

A successful vibratory finish requires the right combination of six different elements for optimum results.

The advantages of vibratory finishing

Vibratory finishing has other advantages over metal finishing services like barrel finishing. Vibratory machines are easier to load or unload than barrel tumblers, and they take less time to abrade and polish; they also clean parts more effectively and maintain better colour. Easier automation, recirculation of water and compounds, less media wear, and quicker part inspection are other benefits.

The six elements that Vibra Finish uses for first-rate vibratory finishing:

• Media. The largest possible amount of media results in quicker abrasive action and better part circulation. Plastic media abrades more quickly when minimal water is used and results in a better finish as the amount of water increases.
• Compound. While plastic media typically requires only a cleaning compound, ceramic media usually needs occasional runs with an abrasive compound for removal of glaze.
• Water. The minimum amount of water possible results in the best cutting action and higher abrasive action. A heavy flow will prevent contamination when two types of metal are processed.
• Frequency and amplitude. High speed and low vibrator amplitude are preferable for bulky or fragile parts or for a low part-to-media ratio. For other applications, higher amplitude improves circulation and speeds up the cutting rate.
• Vibratory load. Vibratory finishing gets top results when the system is 75-90 per cent full. A part-to-media volume ratio of three to one prevents injury to critical parts.
• Speed. The typical vibrator speed is 1,700 vibrations per second; lower speeds can sink parts to the bottom.

The right blend of these factors makes for superior metal finishing services.

To learn more, contact Vibra Finish.

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