Modular Deburring . . . And More

Most homeowners have a weed-whacker, leaf blower or other powered tools for yard maintenance. Generally each of these tools is powered by its own electric motor or gas engine. In recent years, several companies have introduced a modular version of these tools. Instead of having a dedicated tool such as a weed-whacker and leaf blower each with its own power source, these tools allow the user to interchange attachments.

On these newer tools, one motor is used to power a variety of end effectors. To switch from a leaf blower to a weed-whacker, a small roto-tiller, branch cutter or other tool, a simple quick disconnect allows a user to make the switch in a few minutes. One motor works many tools.

That's the idea behind a new deburring system from The G&G Manufacturing Company (Cincinnati, Ohio). G&G is a successful screw machine shop running a number of Brown and Sharpes and CNC machines. It has been in business since 1947.

The machine the company has designed and built was created for use in its own shop. It uses a modular approach to deburring and several other bench-type secondary operations.

Called the Deburr Werks, it is a system of shop proven attachments designed to work off a single motorized base unit. The base unit is a 12-inch by 18-inch extruded aluminum platform. A 1/3 horsepower AC electric motor is attached to the center of the base.

Two individual attachments can be driven off the motor. The entire unit, with two attachments, weighs about 60 pounds, making it relatively portable from work station to work station.

Several modules are available for the Deburr Werks system. Actually, development of attachments is ongoing. Among those being offered is the Burr Werks. It is a module specifically designed to remove cutoff burrs from bar machined parts. The platform for this attachment is infinitely adjustable for the specific parts that need deburring. It is also easily set up and re-set as jobs change.

The Tap Werks attachment allows the shop to re-tap ID or ID threads to remove any build-up from plating operations or other post-process treatment. It carries a ½-inch capacity chuck and is direct coupled to the 1/3 horsepower motor for good torque. The transfer shaft operates from hand pressure and uses O-rings as the clutch mechanism. It may be set to operate either right- or left-handed.

There is also a small belt sander attachment that can be interchanged on the base unit. It accepts conventional abrasive or fiber belts for polishing operations. A 3-inch capacity three-jaw chuck module allows a workpiece to be held either by its OD or ID and rotated to facilitate polishing operations or other secondary work.

For drilling, reaming, chamfering, wire brushing or polishing, a ½-inch capacity drill chuck can be used with the drive system. There is a module that has two drill units stacked on a single module that can double the capacity of the drill unit by allowing a drill and ream to be inserted and used in succession. Adding a second, duplicate module puts four tools at the disposal of the operator.

Each of the attachments for G&G's Deburr Werks is clamped using T-slots machined in the attachment body. These fit into matching T's machined in the base unit.

Any of the modules can be used in tandem with each other, or duplicate modules can be ganged for multiple step operations.

A simple belt drive system from the motor runs one to two attachments at a time. Changeover from one module to another is accomplished in minutes.