Deburring is an essential step in the manufacturing of components. Removing unwanted burrs and edges not only improves the aesthetics of the part, but also its function and service life. In the past, manual and machine processes were used for deburring, but in recent years sandblasting has gained popularity. Why? Let's take a closer look at the advantages of sandblasting for deburring.
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Deburring refers to the process of removing unwanted burrs or sharp edges from manufactured components. These burrs can occur as a result of manufacturing processes such as milling, drilling, turning, grinding or punching. Deburring is necessary not only for aesthetic reasons, but also to ensure the functionality of the part and to meet safety standards.
Manual deburring (traditional with hand tools such as files, scrapers or brushes , is labor intensive and poorly reproducible).
Machine deburring (by e.g. milling machines, grinding machines, and special deburring machines).
Electrochemical deburring (ECM): (workpiece as anode and tool as cathode poled in an electrolyte solution, material is then selectively removed at the burrs).
Thermal deburring (TEM): (burning of the burrs by a gas mixture ignition).
High pressure water jetting: (removal of burrs by water jet, or also abrasive materials added to the water for more efficiency).
Ultrasonic deburring: (with ultrasonic waves in a suitable medium)
Vibratory deburring (in a drum with abrasive media)
Laser deburring: (burrs are precisely vaporized or melted by laser, especially for burrs that are difficult to access).
Sandblasting: (As previously mentioned, this process uses a jet of abrasive media e.g. glass beads, chilled cast iron, high grade corundum, nutshells and stainless steel to remove burrs and irregularities from the surface of a workpiece).
1. uniform results
Amajor advantage of sandblasting is its ability to produce uniform results across the entire component. While manual methods can involve human error and machine processes may not reach all areas of a complex component, sandblasting ensures that every surface is uniformly finished and the result is reproducible.
2. speed and efficiency
Time is money in manufacturing. Sandblasting enables fast and efficient deburring of large quantities of components in a short time. This not only saves time, but also production costs, as fewer man-hours are required.
3. versatility
Sandblasting can be applied to a wide range of materials, from metals to plastics. This makes it a universal solution for a wide variety of manufacturing requirements.
4. blasting media
Traditionaldeburring methods may use chemicals or solvents that are harmful to the environment. Sandblasting, on the other hand, uses natural or reusable media such as sand, glass beads or nutshells, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
5. less wear and tear on tools
Since sandblasting works without direct contact, there is less wear and tear on tools compared to other deburring methods. This results in lower maintenance costs and longer equipment life.
6. Safety
Without sharp tools or harsh chemicals, sandblasting is often a safer option for employees. Of course, protective measures such as respirators and goggles are still necessary, but the risk of injury is reduced compared to other processes.
In summary, sandblasting is an effective, efficient and environmentally friendly method of deburring components. It offers numerous advantages over traditional deburring techniques and has proven to be a valuable tool in modern manufacturing. If you are looking for a reliable and effective method of deburring, consider sandblasting. ZELL Oberflächentechnik is an expert in sandblasting and has been deburring components since 1991, using machinery developed in-house. ZELL has already won well-known customers such as Bosch, Tesla and Hilti.
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