TABLE OF CONTENTS Centrifugal barrel finishing (CBF), like other mass finishing processes, uses media, compound, and water to deburr and surface finish components. The difference between this and other processes is that centrifugal action results in a very fast, highly controllable operation. The process, sometimes called mass orbital barrel finishing, maintains a smooth rubbing action with little or no workpiece impingement, making it possible to produce fine finishes on precision and fragile parts. Another important advantage is its capability to impart high compres-sive stresses in the surfaces of workpieces.
Standard machines have circular barrels as well as hexagonal shapes. Some barrels are set at an angle to the principal axis providing a longer flow-path and a figure 8 path. Special purpose and custom design machines are available to handle an immense array of products and production needs. Their characteristics include the ability to handle parts 4 ft in length and weighing as much as 750 lb (337.5 kg) per part. Such parts are not standard but have been produced. The smaller machines hold only a quart of media and parts.
On centrifugal barrel machines a number of drums are mounted on the periphery of a turret (see Fig. 9-1). The turret rotates in one direction, while the drums are rotated at a slower speed in the opposite direction. As illustrated in Figs. 9-2, 9-3 and 9-4, machines are available with the turret and drums rotating in a horizontal plane or in a vertical plane. Rotation in...
