New machine helps aerospace finishers keep their fingers on the pulse

A new stream finishing machine featuring OTEC Prazisionsfinish patented pulse drive technology 'Pulsfinish' has arrived at UK aerospace component surface finishing specialist, Fintek. The new machine follows on from the delivery of a new generation OTEC stream finishing machine in July.

Fintek operations manager, Jamie Phillips explained, "The difference 'Pulsfinish' makes to mass finishing is substantial. Pulse finishing produces rapid relative motion between the media and workpiece by quickly changing the direction of rotation of the work holding heads in a programmed and controlled way. High speed acceleration and deceleration increases the finishing forces exerted on the workpiece making it possible to accurately and evenly deburr, round and smooth surfaces from Rpk 0.2um to 0.1um in under a minute."

As with all OTEC equipment, precise process repeatability assures consistent component surface finishing quality. A vital consideration for aerospace parts manufacturers.

Another important aerospace sector where 'Pulsfinish' is set to make a difference is the mass finishing of additively manufactured components. Recently, Fintek used the system as part of a Innovate UK sponsored research project that brought together a team of experts under the leadership of Croft Additive Manufacturing (CAM) and that included Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and surface finishing experts, Fintek.

"While the pulse finishing equipped SF machine is ideal for meeting the needs of aerospace clients, it is equally suited to customers involved in high level motorsport, automotive, medical device and tool making," concluded Jamie.