OVERVIEW

The two chief reasons for using mass finishing are to remove burrs and to improve surfaces. Surface finishing technology is well established and the next chapter will discuss many aspects of the effort in this area. Deburring, in contrast, for many companies, has not reached the same level of crispness or clarity of expectations. More bluntly, many operators, engineers, inspectors, and customers cannot agree on the definition of a burr or how perfect the edge must be after a burr has been removed. This chapter provides a straightforward means of defining such needs and expectations.

Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines burr as "a thin ridge or area of roughness produced in cutting or shaping metal." This definition provides a visual image that is adequate for the lay person's understanding of what is meant by "burr." Unfortunately, it is an inadequate definition for engineers and other deburring professionals charged with removing them from parts. How does this group define "burr"? Therein lies the problem the industry lacks a uniform standard for burrs and edge finishing because its definitions of burr and burr-free are numerous and varied among the different companies. To many a burr-free part has no loose material at its edges. To some, such a part has no visible imperfections. To others, "burr-free" refers to an edge that will not cause problems in a subsequent assembly. Different companies define "burr" itself differently. Some engineers call missing material a burr. Others consider a burr to be a hump...