Portable Deburring Machines vs. Their Larger Counterparts

Deburring and edge finishing are no strange terms in the manufacturing industry, although the choices manufacturers have in selecting a deburring solution are many.

Whether you are a manufacturer of stamped metal parts, or a manufacturer of automobile engine components, the need for deburring is as much a certainty as the need for electricity. As the productivity in manufacturing – as well as the quality of the output – relies significantly on line speed and end-of-the-day part counts, deburring has quickly become part of the manufacturing process. Plant and facilities managers in the manufacturing industry routinely seek out deburring solutions well before such efforts are needed.

Deburring is a well-regarded components maintenance process that is used by companies in many varied industries from sheet metal fabrication to aerospace. Each industry has its particular need for deburring equipment and deburring processes. Manufacturers who understand the options available to them for deburring and edge finishing are better poised to thrive in all economies with higher manufacturing success, better quality end-product, and more satisfied customers.

Which deburring or edge finishing solution is adequate (or necessary) for any given type of manufacturing process or environment relies solely on to the requirements of the manufacturing equipment or the end product. There are a number of deburring and edge finishing machines available on the market – some of the best designed and engineered from CDMC ourselves – but the process for selecting one that suits the needs of any one company over another is best decided through direct consultation with a company product professional and the responsible party at the company in question. Nonetheless, a brief overview of portable deburring machines and larger units follows.

Outside of the lower cost of ownership and the smaller workplace footprint, the difference between portable deburring machines and their larger deburring counterparts is still considerable.

On the small, end of the portable deburring machine spectrum, there are a number of caster-based “cart” machines that operate as a mini deburring lab on wheels. Some, like the CDMC Cart Deburring Machine, feature a rotating part spindle and a radial nylon brush driven by
1 HP reversible motor. Others, such as the 1TC and 1TR series, feature single conveyor belts that move individual parts under rotating nylon brushes (disc or radial).

Slightly larger deburring machines, like the BOB from CDMC (short for Basic Orbital Brushing), represent the beginning of the larger deburring machines, in that the deburring process is completed within a protective work enclosure. These are often single brush head units that require manual feeding of parts – where the worker will open and close the machine to swap each part. The BOB and similar machines are free-standing (come with lockable casters) and operate on either 110 or 220 volts. These portable, albeit stand-alone, units are an ideal deburring solution for CNC mills and lathes, ready to deburr parts as soon as primary cutting is completed.

On the large end of the deburring machine product line, there are a number of through-feed, in- line deburring machines suited specifically for high production. Many of these larger, stationary, deburring machines address flat parts that need deburring on both sides and make use of magnetic conveyors that present parts to the brush sets in the proper orientation. The larger deburring machines of this type are built to specific tasks. Some perform gear deburring, others descaling, and others perform polishing and honing. Again, each industry has its particular need for deburring equipment and deburring processes. Fortunately, the choices and configurations are numerous.