To meet stringent industry demands for smooth surfaces of workpieces subject to mechanical stress in miniaturized assemblies, OTEC Precision Finish, Inc., is introducing a new type of centrifugal disc finishing machine to the U.S. market. Applying tribology, the study of friction, lubrication, and wear on surfaces, OTEC engineers developed a secondary deburring process that preserves the precise measurement tolerances achieved by final grinding and honing processes, and that also offers increased protection to delicate work parts. The CF-oil system replaces the traditional water/compound mix technology that produces excellent results for larger parts. Using commercially available grinding and honing oils in combination with oil-resistant, low abrasive media (such as sintered ceramic chips), the new OTEC CF-Oil machine is aggressive enough to remove micro-burrs on workpieces without compromising the dimensional integrity achieved through final grinding.
The PLC automated process takes just minutes to generate small edge radii and smooth surfaces, while eliminating the possibility of corrosion. As workpieces are protected from rusting, they no longer require three steps–degreasing before processing, drying after processing, and subsequent re-greasing–thereby saving production costs. Using oil means almost no wear and tear on the processing media. Media is recirculated, keeping consumable costs low. A specially designed separator allows workpieces and media to be sorted easily and quickly. Also, the grinding oil can be reused, extending its estimated service life by up to six months and possibly longer if filters are used, by connecting it to a central filtration system.
OTEC CF-Oil machines with flow-optimized process containers are cost effective to integrate into a production line. No water connection or other complicated logistics are required. Occupying only a square meter of surface space, it can be used, for example, as a dedicated secondary deburring cell next to a grinding or honing machine. The unit can be connected to upstream grinding or honing equipment to save costs. Unlike water/compound solutions for finish grinding that require complex filtering of the media, there is no need for centrifuge or microfiltration units with CF-Oil processing. The CF-Oil is highly effective for a range of smoothing tasks in high-tech aerospace and diesel fuel injection manufacturing processes. The CF-Oil machine and oil/abrasion-resistant chip method is non-aggressive. It is designed to smooth polished workpiece surfaces and to maintain precision tolerances, while simultaneously increasing productivity and reducing costs.
For more information contact Ed Pastore, general manager, at (401) 398-0045. Send e-mail to sales@otecusa.com, or go to [www.otecusa.com].
