Often, when a piece of metal is cut or drilled, sharp edges are created. These edges are not only dangerous, but they can also cause damage to other materials too.
Thankfully, sharp edges made of metal can be eliminated using the deburring process. During the deburring process, all rough or sharp edges are leveled out and smoothed off. This leaves the metal clean, smooth, and unable to damage other materials. Even more importantly it prevents your employees and customers from being injured too. If you want to learn more about metal deburring in manufacturing, then keep reading below:
The Process of Metal Deburring
As we mentioned above, the metal deburring process involves removing any imperfections or sharp or uneven edges on pieces of metal once they’ve been cut or drilled. These imperfections are commonly known as burrs and they fall into two categories:
- Thermal burrs – usually called dross or slag – are caused by heat-generating machines.
- Mechanical burrs are usually created when a piece of metal is stamped, folded, or sheared.
There are lots of things that can cause burrs in metal, including the blade clearance, the thickness of the metal, and how powerful the machine is.
The Differences Between Finishing and Deburring
Here are some of the main differences between finishing and deburring of metal:
- Deburring – this involves removing any small unwanted pieces of metal or any raised edges that remain attached to a product once it’s been altered.
- Finishing – this is done to alter or improve the surface of a product and get it ready for the final stage e.g. painting.
Deburring is done during the production of a product and finishing is done during the final stages of a product’s development.
What Tools are Used During the Deburring Process?
The type of tools or equipment used during the deburring process will depend on the type of product being created. Deburring can be done using a range of different tools including large machinery like a wide belt sander or something handheld like sandpaper for metal.
If you’re looking for the right deburring equipment or tool for your business, then consider these things:
- The size of the product
- The material used
- What coatings will be applied
- The quality of finish you want
Each of these things will play a huge role in helping you to work out the type of equipment or tools you need.
The Impact of Deburring on Manufacturing Companies
If you work with metal, then you need to have smart strategies in place that not only reduce the costs of production but also increase product quality and business productivity. This is particularly true when it comes to deburring metal.
If your deburring strategies and processes are efficient, they can maximize the productivity and motivation of your employees and boost your profits too. Not only will you be able to create high-quality products, but you’ll also be able to meet customer needs more quickly.
For many businesses, hand deburring is how it’s always been done. However, things are now beginning to change. Many companies are now choosing to invest in automated deburring equipment. This equipment not only saves time and money, but it can also improve the quality of the products created.
