What Is the Mass Finishing Process?
Mass finishing is a broad term for several methods of high-volume, bulk processing. These methods use various types of rotary or vibratory equipment, along with specifically chosen media, to achieve a desired surface finish. Mass finishing is most often used for batches of hundreds to thousands of small- or medium-sized parts at once, making it an extremely efficient and cost-effective surface finishing service. Mass finishing is used for parts needing:
- Deburring — removal of sharp edges and burrs after the machining process
- Edge radiusing — rounding edges for safe handling or dimensional compliance
- Pre-plate preparation — surface conditioning before further finishing like electroplating or coating
- Texturing — creating surface texture to promote better adhesion and bonding
- Polishing — improving cosmetic appearance and surface finish
- Cleaning and descaling — removing oils, oxides and scale
- Deflashing — removing excess material from molded or cast parts
- Burnishing — compressing surface for cosmetic sheen and hardness
What Are the Different Mass Finishing Methods?
Eaglemaster offers four types of mass finishing: vibratory finishing and tumble deburring, steel ball burnishing, centrifugal barrel finishing and mechanical metal polishing. Each type of mass finishing has different areas of focus and specialization, so picking the right method based on your parts, desired finish and end use requirements is critical.
Vibratory Finishing and Tumble Deburring
Vibratory finishing and tumble deburring uses either vibrating tubs or rotating barrels filled with abrasive media and compound that is either vibrated or spun at a controlled rate to cause parts to rub against the media. This type of mass finishing is best for cleaning parts, removing burrs and edges, smoothing and preparing parts for further finishing or plating. This allows vibratory and tumble finishing to be a standalone final step or part of a larger finishing process.
Learn more about Eaglemaster’s vibratory finishing and tumble deburring services.
Steel Ball Burnishing
Steel ball burnishing uses hardened steel media and chemical compounds in vibratory machines to simultaneously deburr and create a bright, mirror-like polished surface on metal parts. This service is ideally suited for parts that need both functional and cosmetic improvement in a single finishing operation.
Learn more about Eaglemaster’s steel ball burnishing services.
Centrifugal Barrel Finishing
Centrifugal barrel finishing (also called Harperizing) is a high-energy mass finishing process in which barrels rotate around a central turret with parts compartmentalized inside. This can generate G-forces that are up to 20 times greater than gravity, allowing for more aggressive and faster finishing than conventional vibratory or tumble methods. This process is best used for high-value parts, aggressive edge and radius removal, creating a highly cosmetic appearance, tight Ra requirements or quick turnaround needs.
Learn more about Eaglemaster’s centrifugal barrel finishing services.
Mechanical Metal Polishing
Mechanical metal polishing involves parts and polishing media used with vibratory or centrifugal machines to smooth and brighten a metal surface. The process reduces Ra (surface roughness), resulting in a highly reflective, low-friction finish. This finishing method is ideal for decorative hardware, jewelry, medical components and other applications where cosmetic surfaces are a primary requirement.
Learn more about Eaglemaster’s mechanical metal polishing services.
Benefits of Mass Finishing
Mass finishing offers a fast, efficient, repeatable and cost-effective solution for bulk finishing parts that have been stamped, machined, cast or forged. The most compatible materials that can be mass finished are steel, aluminum, brass, copper and titanium alloys. When parts made of these materials go through the mass finishing process, the results are a uniform surface finish that meets the exact specifications needed to move downstream in the finishing process or move on to their end use.
Industries We Serve With Mass Finishing Services
A wide range of industries make use of mass finishing services. Some industries that Eaglemaster supports include:
We’re proud to provide our customers in these industries and others with the best-in-class mass finishing services and customer support they deserve.
Why Choose Eaglemaster for Mass Finishing Services in Minneapolis, MN?
From heavy-duty metal plating prep to intricate cosmetic finishes, Eaglemaster offers a wide range of mass finishing solutions. We are dedicated to environmentally friendly processes and customer-centered collaboration that ensures your project stays on-time and on-budget while producing top-quality results. We can create custom mass finishing solutions for all types of parts for a wide range of industries and are happy to help you choose the best process for your parts. Our team will meticulously document and perform quality control and inspections to ensure your parts are finished correctly and the entire process is traceable and repeatable.
- 30+ years of experience in mass finishing
- Mass finishing solutions tailored to your unique parts
- Fast, on-time service and easy local delivery
- Comprehensive support and competitive pricing
Interested in what Eaglemaster
can do for you?
With more than 30 years of experience, Eaglemaster’s experts know how to help customers choose the best mass finishing service for any project. Whether you need parts finished for future processes, like adhesion or plating, or your end goal is clean, smooth and uniformly polished parts, our Minnesota-based mass metal finishing services are the ideal solution. Get in touch for a quote and free sampling!
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