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#124 Surface Adjustments - Planetary Rotation Barrel Polishing

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May25, 2012

Planetary rotation barrel polishing is a polishing method of using a turning radius several times that of the rotating barrel and 180~250rpm speed, where the polished objects are centrifugally pushed towards the inner wall of the barrel at its circumferential limits.

[Fig.1] shows the flow of the polished parts within the barrel.

The polished parts and the abrasives are friction polished by the effects of centrifugal force and many specific characteristics can be seen. For instance, the polishing amount increases rapidly in proportion to the processing time duration, several multiple of ten times that of standard barrel polishing.

Also, ultra small parts and thin plate parts can be polished, as well as mirror surface finishing of soft metals became possible.

[Fig.1] Flow of the polished parts inside of a barrel

With this polishing method, soft aluminum parts became possible to be precision polished. Also, pressed parts and die-cast precision gears are polished this way, especially for ornamental gloss surface finishing this is replacing buff polishing. [Fig.2] shows an external appearance of a planetary rotation barrel polishing machine.

[Fig.2] External view of planetary rotation barrel polishing machine

Some polishing stone (abrasive) types, principle components, and applications are shown in [Table 1] below.

[Table 1] Polishing stone types and applications

TypePrinciple componentsApplications
Alundum chipsFused oxidized AL, silicaFor coarse, medium finishes
Black chipsTi magnetite oxide, aluminaFor heavy cutting
Ceramic chipsAlumina, silica, lime, magnesiaFinishing, gloss finishing
HISY chipsFused oxidized AL, Iron titanium magnesiaHeavy cutting, rough grinding
LINKS chipsHeat treated Ti magnetiteFor coarse to medium finish, magnetically separable
Silicon shipSilicon carbide, alumina, silicaPrecision polishing of carbide alloys
Ceramic coated chipsTitanium iron coating over fused oxidized ALFor ultra wear resistant alloys
Nylon coatingCoating on iron, non-iron, porcelainFor gloss polishing
Soft mediaIron oxide coating on organic mediaFor gloss polishing

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