In life consistency proves to be a key of success. Boring, yet repeatable actions managed over time are one of the best ways to keep things, processes and people functioning at their best. This is true for the most basic of human activities from brushing teeth to moving the body to keep it healthy and nimble. Other working items also benefit from consistent processes. In a manufacturing facility, routine maintenance is an essential part of operations and maintaining productivity.

The importance of observing a maintenance schedule in a manufacturing facility cannot be overstated. Every piece of machinery contains a multitude of moving parts and with complexity comes the potential for stresses. Each piece has a different life span and because of that, there is some expectation of failure during its lifetime. Knowing this, operations and facilities personnel are always on the lookout for ways to improve and lengthen the amount of life a part and/or machinery can provide.

Maintenance Schedule

Having a schedule for service and maintenance is necessary for everything from the HVAC system and the lifts below and everything in between. It’s a mammoth task that’s mission critical, especially when you consider the expense of unexpected breakdowns and downtime. The balancing act becomes even more complicated when you consider each part and every machine is on a slightly different schedule.

Because of this, there is some level of estimation involved. Should the person tasked with maintenance follow the manufacturer’s suggested length of time, should they implement something unique to the manufacturer or do they roll the dice, so to speak, and see how much life a part or machine has? A scheduled maintenance approach means there will be some element of life left in the part, which to some can feel like leaving money on the table.

Deburring is Good Maintenance

One process that can add to the life of machines throughout the manufacturing plant is deburring. Regular deburring of gears and sprockets can extend the life of a machine. Deburring using silicon carbide and diamond brushes can remove the troublesome burrs that can keep a machine from functioning at its best. The removal of sharp pieces of metal and hard plastic also benefits those working on the machines. Burrs left in place can dislodge and end up falling into machinery seams and can cause cuts and bruises in those working with the machinery.

Deburring Machines

Cleveland Deburring Machine Company (CDMC) specializes in the deburring of gears and sprockets. CDMC offers many machines for nearly any gear application.

Model 5000 – deburrs parallel-axis gears with consistent, repeatable results

Model 1220 – uses a large diameter nylon radial brush for ring gears up to 15” in diameter

Model 3000 – perfect for standard bevel gears up to 48” in diameter

OLS Series – used for pump gears, can deburr the gear profile on both surfaces in one rotation

For information on a deburring machine to fit your manufacturing needs or for a free evaluation, contact CDMC today at (216) 472-0200!

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Deburring and finishing are critical elements of the manufacturing process. The production of parts would be incomplete without the use of these technologies. Often used as the final step in manufacturing, deburring and finishing are just as important today as when they were applied at the beginning of the industrial age. Deburring is a way to produce smooth, clean edges on parts and machinery. By employing quality deburring processes manufacturers add a measure of safety, consistency and reliability with the production of parts that are free from burrs and edge projections.

A burr is a ridge of roughness on a piece of metal or hard plastic that forms during the shaping or cutting process. Much of deburring occurs with metalwork and related manufacturing. The need to deburr relates to metal strengths. On a spectrum, cast iron rates low. 2024 aluminum used for the construction of aircrafts has a medium tendency for burrs, and 18-8 chrome-nickel steel has a higher propensity for burring because of its soft and easily moldable tendencies. Although such projections can appear to be slight to the naked eye, they have the potential to cause serious issues for people and machinery if not properly removed.

If not eliminated, these minute inconsistencies have the potential to increase friction. Over time, these small pieces can break off and land in the seams of machinery, eventually leading to interference on the assembly line. If the problem is not rectified, the machine can jam and possibly overheat, causing a dangerous situation on the floor. The imperfection of burrs can also create irregular mating surfaces in parts and machinery. If not attended to, burrs generate unnecessary waste and can be a cause of time lost on the floor for those tasked with remedying these issues.

Machinery and Parts

Some of the most important advantages of investing in quality deburring and finishing services is reliability and repeatability. These processes are a critical part of the manufacturing process and maintenance of machinery and parts prior to installation on the production floor. Beyond enhancing operations, parts and machinery that have been deburred also protect the workforce. The elimination of rough edges lowers the probability of parts jamming in critical mechanisms as well as preventing cuts and bruises for those working the line.

Deburring Solutions

The last step of the manufacturing process is something that should never be overlooked. Cleveland Deburring Machine Company (CDMC) understands the importance of reliability, consistency and repeatability during processes. We offer a range of cost-effective deburring solutions for high-volume, repeatable processes to flexible, easy-to-adjust solutions. Find out why CDMC is the first word on the last step in the manufacturing process.

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Earth Day celebrations each April 22 turn a spotlight on the concepts of conservation and environmental matters. Yet to be truly effective, Earth Day must be more than a one-day celebration. For those who care about the long-term sustainability of natural resources through environmentally sound practices, Earth Day is every day. Those ideas of conversation and environmental sustainability are also alive in the manufacturing industry, as manufacturers look to use sustainable manufacturing processes to minimize negative environmental resources and conserve energy and natural resources.

Positively Impacts Bottom Line

For many years, sustainability efforts remained largely lip-service but with time, these practices are becoming more of the norm for manufacturers throughout the U.S. Why the change? Manufacturers are seeing that sustainability done correctly can positively impact the bottom line for the company and create positive ripple effects for vendors, suppliers and consumers alike.

While there is no common definition of sustainable manufacturing, the U.S. Department of Commerce defines it as, “The creation of manufactured products that use processes to minimize negative environmental impacts, conserve energy and natural resources, are safe for employees, communities and consumers and are economically sound.”

Sustainable manufacturing is no small matter, encompassing a range of economic, societal and environmental factors. Creating and maintaining an initiative at your company requires looking at all departments throughout the company as well as throughout the supply chain. Done well, sustainability takes time and requires good communication to get everyone on the same page, understanding why the company has chosen to pursue this initiative, possible effects of ongoing actions and the impact of compliance/non-compliance throughout the company. With great effort and over time, good sustainability practices can empower employees, enhance the safety and quality of a product and benefit the community where the manufacturer is located.

Reasons to Create a Sustainability Initiative

Increase operational efficiency through reduced costs and waste

Growth of competitive advantage

Appeal to new customers

Method to protect and strengthen brand

Platform to build long-term positive reputation and improve trust

Boost competitiveness within the segment and industry

Consistent Action for Success

Some companies initially test the waters of sustainability by looking for ways to lower resource and production costs. If that initiative is successful, many manufacturers look for other ways to grow and formalize this initiative. Having a dedicated plan and staff tasked with the initiative can often determine if the endeavor will be successful or not. Sustainability practices are long-term and those who pick and choose applications rather than integrating them across all business functions will find it hard to achieve the same level of success as those that fully commit.

Baby Steps

Understandably, taking on a sustainability initiative in your business is a big step, one that deserves guidance throughout the process. To learn more about sustainability practices, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for resources and tool kits to guide the process.

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