TABLE OF CONTENTS Spindle finishing, also called gyrofinishing (Matsunaga & Kobayashi 1981) in some parts of the world, is another high energy, loose abrasive finishing process that features fast and precise deburring and finishing. Good control, smooth finishes, and a high degree of reliability and uniformity are other characteristics of this process. Spindle equipment is commonly included under the mass finishing umbrella, but it does not allow masses of parts to be finished at one time. It is, however, a loose abrasive finishing process and the media variables described in the previous chapter all apply to this process. Types of spindle finishing include: single- or multiple-spindle; normal vs. high pressure; one or more parts per spindle; and conventional or fluidized bed processes.
Most spindle finishing machines consist essentially of a circular rotating tub that holds the media and one or more rotating spindles on which the workpieces are held and immersed in the media (Fig. 13-1). With the workpieces rotating in one direction and the media moving rapidly in the opposite direction, the media flows swiftly over the edges and surfaces of the workpieces. Flow-through of the compound solution using perforations in the tub is typical practice.
Processing cycles with spindle finishing rarely exceed 5 minutes and are frequently less than 30 seconds. A limitation is that the workpieces must be individually mounted on the spindles of the machines with workholding collets or fixtures. In many applications, a cycle...
