Smoother Edges Equals a Safer Workplace

The new year often begins by taking a look at the workplace to find areas where small changes could make a big impact. Safety within the workplace is always a critical topic, and in 2026 the emphasis on safety is predicted to grow. An expanding definition of safety will include information on severe weather events that could cause power outages and how to use new technologies to keep people and physical assets safe in a facility.

Safety initiatives need a strategic approach, one that considers the well-being of employees and the business. Safety improvements must remain current with reliable process improvements including ensuring large and small parts continue to move quickly and employees on the line remain safe as they are asked to move with increasing speed. 

The automotive industry must consider speed and efficiency with a mind toward safety. This is an industry where the use of powered metal parts plays an important role. Chosen for their durability and precision, powered metal parts contribute to improved performance and efficiency in regard to overall finished product quality. These parts are used in-house and they are also outsourced to third parties. These small parts play a critical role in operations in terms of individual part aesthetics, functionality of the parts, and safety in the edges and fittings.

Edges that are rough can create a number of safety issues that could affect how smoothly equipment runs. Rough edges could also physically hurt an employee working on the line. The act of deburring the edges of powered metal parts effectively and efficiently removes the rough edges that could endanger equipment processes and people, not to mention creating a costly hit in a safety record of the business.

The automotive industry uses deburring on both sides and on all part edges to remove burs to ensure better seams and smoother edges. The process of deburring removes interference, allowing parts to fit together better. Smooth edges are crucial to reduce scratches on mating surfaces and plating build up at the edges of a part. A smooth surface can also minimize the potential of craters that could be caused by a rough edge.

Versatile deburring processes feature robotic loading features for simultaneous brushing on the upper and lower edges through the use of large-diameter radial brushes that approach the spindle-clamped part on two axes. Self-contained models may also use coolant. The combination of high-quality parts and variable-speed brush motors can improve the safety of processes and increase outputs. When looking at improving safety in 2026, consider deburring as a smart way to create an efficient ecosystem for the machinery and people in your manufacturing environment.

Deburring practices can strengthen a culture with processes that create a safer environment for employees and customers. Learn how Cleveland Deburring Machine Company can help you create a plan for 2026 and beyond.