Cryogenic deburring

Cryogenic deburring is a process to remove machine burrs from machined parts made from plastics, polymers, nylons, delrin, Teflon, polypropylene, polycarbonate, ABS, PET, HDPE, PEEK, DAP, Tefzel, PPS, Viton, Torlon, CTFE, Liquid Crystal Polymer, PH Stainless Steels and Beryllium Copper.[1]

Depending on the machined material and the size of the part, a program is then set up and entered into a computer program to operate each process. Every cycle takes into account variables such as throw wheel speed, basket speed, temperature, and time. The parts are then placed into a chamber, exposed to sub-zero temperatures (achieved with the use of liquid nitrogen) and then tumbled and blasted with a cryogenic-grade polycarbonate media. Due to the fact that the burrs have a high surface area relative to their mass, they “freeze” very quickly and become brittle. The tumbling action—combined with the impact of the media—removes the burrs without damaging the part itself.[2]

Cryogenic deburring is needed by some industrial customers because their machine tools create burrs on their parts in blind and recessed holes, as well as other edges of the part from drilling, milling, grinding, and turning.

The benefits of cryogenic deburring include its cost-effectiveness when compared to other types of deburring, repeatable automated results with each part, non-abrasive media which will not attack the structural integrity of the parts, and the principle that it is a eco-friendly.[3]

References

• Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. [4]
• Little, Edward (2005, April) Cryogenic tech offers a clean, efficient approach to deburring and deflashing of metal and plastic parts. PF Online, A Cool Technology. Retrieved from http://www.pfonline.com/articles/040502.html