Discover these 5 things that will improve your mass finishing process: that is our topic of the day!
Are you looking for new techniques to improve your mass finishing process?
If the answer is yes, then this article comes at just the right time and is made for you!
Find out how, and what can help you increase productivity.
A little hint đź’ˇ: do not overlook accessories.
To do this, we recommend using accessories fitted with a separation system. They improve the overall efficiency of your mass finishing process.
In this article, we will discover the main accessories and how they work.
We will highlight the role these accessories play and what they bring to your process.
Why should you include accessories with a separation system in your mass finishing process without further delay?
To shed light on this subject, let us first find out what an accessory with a separation system is.
As its name suggests, a separation system is an accessory designed to be used with a mass finishing machine. It separates the abrasive media from the processed parts at the end of the processing cycle.
But you may be wondering what the point of this system is, especially if you already have an operator to carry out this task manually?
Well, unlike workshops without separation accessories, those that choose to add this accessory to their mass finishing machines gain many significant benefits.
- The first is process automation: the processing cycle runs completely autonomously from start to finish, whether for separating the media and the parts or for fully unloading the parts once they have been processed.
- Time savings ⏳:
- The separation system eliminates the manual work of unloading parts at the end of the cycle by an operator, which represents an average time saving of around 30 minutes to one hour per processing cycle. Simply multiply this time by the number of cycles you run in your workshop each day to see how much valuable time it saves.
- Time is also saved on unloading and reloading the abrasive media into the processing tub of the mass finishing machine for the next cycle.
- Operators can use this time to carry out other higher value-added tasks.
- Fully unloading the parts takes less time than when it is done manually by a workshop operator.
- A laborious and tedious task is eliminated for your operators.
- Automatic, autonomous cleaning of parts: cleaning nozzles and pneumatic air knives remove any dust residues left on the parts after processing. Bonus: these accessories can even spray the parts with lubricant to protect them and extend their service life.
- A more efficient and faster mass finishing process.
- Screening decks also make it possible to discharge media that are too worn or too small from the machine, eliminating any risk of them getting lodged in parts with openings.
- Money savings đź’µ.
- An infinitely customizable separation system.
We mainly manufacture two types of screening decks:
- Special screening decks designed for processes in which large parts (in size and weight) are processed. These screening decks are more robust than standard decks and can withstand greater weights; they will give you peace of mind regarding their efficiency and long-term durability.
- When the media are larger than the parts to be processed, we generally offer a reverse separation system that keeps the parts, rather than the media, in the processing tub of the mass finishing machine.
- Custom screening deck: depending on the mass finishing process, the type of abrasive media you use and the specific features of the parts to be processed, we offer you the possibility of creating a 100% custom screening deck tailored to your processing requirements, to guarantee you the best possible results. We can create a deck whose slots and holes have the shape and diameter of your choice.
- Very high-quality accessories, manufactured directly in the United Kingdom by our partner, a leader in the mass finishing market.
The five essential mass finishing accessories:
1. The magnetic separation system for your mass finishing process:
The FINISHTECH magnetic separation system was designed to minimize operator intervention as much as possible while giving you full control over the mass finishing process.
We originally designed this system to complement the M series circular vibrator, but it can also be used with any other type of machine that allows automatic separation of parts.
Compatible machines are those designed with a higher ramp than standard machines, which have a lower ramp that does not allow the parts to reach the electromagnetic belt to be separated magnetically.
As its name suggests, the magnetic separation system separates the media from the parts using its electromagnetic belt.
2. The portable media screening unit for your mass finishing process:
What is the point of adding this portable unit to your mass finishing process?
As mass finishing cycles go by, the abrasive media undergo a natural wear process.
This wear causes the media to shrink in size, which can cause them to get stuck in the openings of the screening deck or in the openings of certain parts.
This media wear therefore has several consequences: it can damage the parts and/or have a negative impact on the screening process, for example by slowing it down or preventing it from running optimally because of media lodged in the holes or slots of the screening deck.
To overcome this inevitable problem, it makes sense to use a portable separation unit.
This unit collects the media and separates the “good” ones from those that are no longer usable.
To do this, the operator simply places the unit at the discharge outlet of the surface treatment machine and discharges all the media into the screening unit, which separates them automatically. Here is a video showing how this accessory works and why it is useful.
The pluses:
- The screening unit separates the media 100% autonomously and automatically.
- Performance +++: it can screen 25 kg of media every 90 seconds.
- Compact: 1794 x 833 x 1135 (mm) with a motor power of 0.31 kW, 50 Hz; easy to move thanks to its casters.
- Multiplied time savings: thanks to this unit, our customers have saved an average of 3 hours, as they no longer need to stop work to separate the media manually.
3. The integrated screening deck:
We mentioned them at the beginning of our article, but let us look at them in more detail in this section.
Their function is similar to that of portable units, except that these are smaller separation systems that attach directly to the mass finishing machine and become an integral part of it.
These screening decks integrated into the machines are operated via a hinged flap that starts the separation of parts and media at the end of the cycle.
Once lowered, this flap forms a bridge that carries the media and parts to the screening deck, which discharges the parts from the machine and returns the media to the tub through the holes and slots in the deck.
They are made of polyurethane and, as mentioned above, can be 100% customized to your surface treatment needs.
Our screening decks are manufactured using a technology that makes them resistant to vibration and easily interchangeable.
They are more economical and more practical than portable units when workshop space is limited, while remaining just as effective at separating media and parts.
4. The pneumatic air knife:
The pneumatic air knife is another accessory designed to separate parts and media at the end of the mass finishing cycle.
However, this separation system can only be used on a machine equipped with a hinged flap.
This type of separation system also guarantees 100% separation of the media thanks to its air technology.
5. Cleaning nozzles:
The last items on our list of 5 essentials are cleaning nozzles.
These nozzles only come into play at the end of the mass finishing cycle, once the parts have been removed from the machine. Their role is to clean the parts and rid them of all types of residue left after processing, by spraying them with water or a special product designed to extend their service life.
We hope this article has helped you see more clearly the different separation systems we offer, how they can optimize the operation and profitability of your process, and which accessory will best suit your process.
If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact us. Our whole team will be happy to provide the answers you are looking for.
