Barrel Finishing Systems: Barrel Tumblers, Metal Polishing Equipment, Deburring Machines, Tumbling Barrels and Deflashing Machinery

Barrel tumblers work well for jobs requiring heavy burr removal. They are also good for burnishing, rapid radiusing of edges, heavy deburring with or without media and tumbling die-castings to break the parts off the runner. Barrel tumblers are a good choice for very heavy loads that will not run well in a vibratory finisher, such as steel shot for polishing operations, where the media can weigh up to 300 lb per cubic foot. When estimating the capacity required, keep in mind that barrel tumblers run best 50% full. Screened barrels are available for use as a plastic or die-casting deflashing machine. By adding screen doors, parts can be separated.

Wet barrel finishing is a batch system for removing excess material or polishing parts, employing water and other agents to form radii, remove burrs, improve surface appearance, polish and clean. Wet barrel finishing works well for processing metal. Wet barrel finishing equipment may sometimes be used in dry tumbling operations.

Dry barrel finishing is a batch system for mass polishing or removing excess material from plastic or metal parts without liquids by tumbling them in a media and compound mixture. Dry barrel tumblers form radii, deflash, polish and grind. Dry tumbling is valuable for finishing very delicate parts that would be damaged in a wet barrel. A dry system produces a smoother and higher finish. The finished parts have more of a hand-buffed appearance with greater uniformity in the end product - something very difficult to do with hand finishing methods.

Although most methods for barrel finishing employ a wet process, dry tumbling has some definite advantages in particular cases. Some factories are not set up to handle large quantities of water, making wet tumbling impossible. Dry tumbling may be used under such circumstances to eliminate hand finishing.