Alternatives

Alternative processing methods

Deburring and polishing are crucial steps in the manufacturing process as they significantly enhance the quality and functionality of products. Burrs, or sharp edges and protrusions that form during machining processes, can affect the accuracy of parts, especially in complex shapes where precision is essential. Additionally, burrs can trap dirt and contaminants, which compromises the cleanliness of the product—cleanliness being one of the most important criteria for customers such as ASML. Effective deburring helps save costs by reducing defects and wear, while improving the overall finish and reliability of parts, even in advanced and complex designs. Alternative processing methods for deburring and polishing products are as follows

Tumbling (vibratory deburring)

Description: Tumbling, or vibratory deburring, is a process where workpieces are placed in a vibratory or rotating tumbler along with an abrasive medium. The mechanical motion causes friction between the medium and the parts, removing burrs and smoothing the surface.


·       Application: It is suitable for deburring large quantities of small parts in one cycle. Often used for metal and plastic parts such as bolts, nuts, and gears.

·       Advantage: Efficient for bulk processing and low cost per part.

·       Disadvantage: Less suitable for highly precise or complex parts because the process is difficult to control in specific areas.


Glass bead blasting

Description: Glass bead blasting is a technique where fine glass beads are blasted onto the surface of a workpiece at high speed. This removes burrs, cleans the surface, and gives it a matte, uniform appearance. The process is relatively mild, so the surface is not significantly damaged.

·       Application: Suitable for deburring and polishing metals and other hard materials, often used for delicate parts such as medical devices, aircraft engine components, and machine parts.

·       Advantage: Achieves uniform results without damaging the surface; effective for hard-to-reach areas.

·       Disadvantage: Less suitable for very small or soft parts due to the force of the blasting medium.


Mechanical deburring

Description: Mechanical deburring is performed using physical tools such as files, grinding stones, or brushes. It is a manual or machine-based process where burrs are directly removed from the surface. Often used for products with simple geometries or surfaces.


·       Application: Suitable for removing larger burrs on metal and plastic parts. Commonly used in the metalworking industry for parts like milled components, gears, or large sheet metal parts.

·       Advantage: Direct control over the process, relatively low cost for small batches.

·       Disadvantage: Labor-intensive, less effective for complex geometries and hard-to-reach areas.


Why these alternatives arent suiteble:

These alternative methods for deburring and polishing are unsuitable for Lucassen Group because they must adhere to the stringent Zeiss FU-1000711 standard. The processes may introduce contaminants, particularly HIO elements, which cannot come into contact with the products being deburred. Maintaining high cleanliness is essential to meet customer expectations, making plasma polishing a more effective solution for achieving the necessary quality without compromising on cleanliness.


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