Polishing and Buffing
We use a variety of techniques to achieve your desired finish: including hand tool grinding/de-burring, polishing and buffing, using manual, automated and robotic methods. The approach that is chosen is determined by the shape, size, and intricacy of the product and project.
Manual polishing, buffing, grinding and de-burring is employed when needed
HAND TOOL GRINDING/DE-BURRING
When conventional machining processes aren't enough, precision quality hand grinding and de-burring services are offered as per customer requirements. This is accomplished by the use of a variety of hand tools and medias. Hand grinding shapes pieces that are too difficult or costly to be machined by conventional methods. Hand de-burring includes filing, scraping, cutting and/or using hand tools to remove burrs and sharp edges.
POLISHING
Polishing is a controlled abrasive process that can blend the shape of the part and remove defects, flash and burs. In our business polishing is done with belts, synthetic wheels and grit applied to a resilient wheel. Most of our polishing is done to prepare a product for additional finishing.
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Rough polishing is achieved by using a coarse material to flatten, shape, and remove defects.
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Fine polishing is a finer metal removal process, generally used to remove rough polish lines.
SATIN FINISH
We provide a “value added” service of creating a textured finish on polished/buffed wheels using different types of texturizing media. If only a portion of the wheel needs to be texturized, such as a wheel window pocket, we will use a masking device to selectively accent those areas.
Robotic arms are used to ensure consistent and repeatable results
BUFFING
Buffing is an abrasive process that is finer than polishing. Depending on the desired finish, buffing has two different categories: cut and color. In our business these processes employ a resilient wheel, usually made of cloth or sisal in conjunction with a compound abrasive like grit, glue or oil, to produce a very fine and bright finish.
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Cut buffing is considered the more aggressive process of the two. It is used after polishing to blend the peaks left by the sanding or roughing process.
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Color buffing is generally the final buff that produces a high luster.
AUTOMATED POLISHING AND BUFFING
Automatic processing equipment, such as a robotic arm, is used to load and unload parts to and from polishing and buffing machines. These arms are carefully programmed to mimic the motions of our artisans. This equipment is normally used for projects with difficult shapes or parts that are dangerous to maneuver by hand. Large and small lot sizes can both fit with this process. Results are repeatable.
