Proper edge finishing in sheet metal fabrication is necessary to achieve fit-up in assembly, prevent injury from sharp edges, and give the professional look that customers expect. The quality of edge finishing is important to the perceived quality of the product as well as its function, whether building enclosures, brackets, structural elements or decorative panels. The difference between acceptable and exceptional edge quality, in competitive manufacturing environments, can mean the difference between a customer returning for more business or turning to the competition
Understanding Sheet Metal Edges: Challenges
Deburring sheet metal parts presents a unique set of challenges, quite different from those encountered with heavier fabrications and thicker materials. The thin cross-section can make parts prone to distortion from heat or aggressive material removal, which can affect the dimensional accuracy of formed features and bends. If the handling and tooling are not optimized for sheet metal applications, sharp edges on thin materials can also curl or deform during processing.
Sheet metal parts typically have complex geometries with multiple bends, punched holes, formed features, etc. which require careful attention during the edge finishing operations. Cut edges, punched holes, and laser or plasma cut edges need to be deburred without disturbing adjacent surfaces and without compromising the integrity of formed features. Our machines are designed to address these problems precisely with controlled processing to remove burrs and micro fins without distortion or damage to adjacent surfaces.
Advanced Brush Technology For Better Results
Our deburring systems have been thoroughly researched and tested, with proprietary brush compositions and geometries tailored for sheet metal applications. The flexible but controlled action of brushing conforms to the surfaces of the parts, while at the same time maintaining a uniform pressure to remove burrs and micro-fins from cut edges, creating smooth, rounded edges that are safe to touch and look good.
Our brushing technology produces smooth, rounded edges, not gouging or damage to the surface, unlike aggressive grinding methods that can damage surrounding surfaces or leave visible scratches. Material is removed in a controlled manner, maintaining the part dimensions and providing the desired surface finish. This gives a neat professional finish that improves appearance and safety by reducing the potential for injury during assembly and subsequent handling.
Production Efficiencies & Cost Savings
Our equipment can process hundreds of parts per hour for high volume sheet metal operations, which significantly reduces per part finishing costs compared to manual finishing methods. The sameness in quality makes for easier assembly operations since parts fit together precisely, with no gaps or interference to adjust or rework. This reliability extends through your entire production process, reducing delays, minimizing quality disputes and improving on-time delivery performance.
The initial cost investment in automated deburring equipment is quickly paid back in savings from reduced labor costs, improved consistency and faster throughput. Lower rework requirements and lower rejection rates also lower total production cost. The equipment’s reliability ensures maximum uptime with minimal maintenance needs, boosting the return on investment.
Material Compatibility Throughout Your Entire Product Portfolio
Our deburring solutions are compatible with all common sheet metal materials including cold rolled steel, hot rolled steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel and aluminum. Each material has its own characteristics, which define the best deburring parameters. Our machines are automatically adjusted to optimize the result for each material type. This flexibility allows you to maintain the same quality across your entire product mix, independent of the materials you process.
Whether you are making electronic enclosures, structural brackets for machines or decorative panels for architectural applications, our equipment delivers the edge finishing quality your customers need. The consistent results create a trust in your products from your customers that help longterm business relationships and positive word of mouth recommendations that lead to new customer acquisition.