Bel Air Centrifugal Disc Finishers Improve Throughput, Quality

Bel Air centrifugal disc finishers are designed to help manufacturers increase throughput, decrease cost and improve the quality of metal parts. These machines provide high-speed polishing and deburring for a wide range of materials, including brass, copper, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, Kovar, titanium and more.

According to the company, the centrifugal disc finisher has proven effective for eliminating 80% of handwork and producing over five times the output of normal, hand deburring operations. It can also drastically reduce surface Ra in metal parts across aerospace, automotive, medical and other industries.

The centrifugal disc finisher comes in sizes ranging from 4 to 60 L, and most models come with a mobile frame that is well suited for cellular and just-in-time production. Other available features include integrated ultrasonic cleaners, onboard media storage, a direct compound feed system and parts separation options.

The machine works by using a bowl-shaped finishing chamber, comprised of both a fixed upper bowl and spinning bottom disc. The rotation of the disc rotates both the media and parts within the chamber, forcing the mass to the stationary outside wall. This mass of part(s) and media then folds back to the center. This process is repeated, creating a three-dimensional, toroidal action similar to a vibratory bowl finisher. However, this action is tighter and produces ten times the G force of a vibratory bowl finisher. While this is happening, water and finishing compounds are added into the mix to keep the media and parts clean.

Unlike more traditional disc finishers, Bel Air models have a north/south gap which enables easy adjustment of the gap system. Process effluent (which contains the broken down parts of media, small amounts of part materials and water mixed with compounds) flows through the gap, wearing it down. Bel Air’s adjustable gap system enables the gap to be closed as it wears down, thereby extending the machine’s service life.