Metal products usually have visual, aesthetic, or
technical specifications related to their surface. Often surface finishing is
required to meet those specifications, especially after the raw material has
been transported, cut, curved, or drilled. All these processes create
scratches, marks, and irregular surfaces which are normally not desirable on the
final product. Grinding, chrome-plating, painting, brushing, or polishing are
some of the finishes that are commonly seen. For most of these, a belt grinding
or brushing process is required.
NS Máquinas produces a wide range of flat surfaces finishing machines equipped with different number of abrasive belt or brush stations are available in different widths and I wet or dry operation. Different options and accessories make these machines suitable for different type of finishing, grinding, and brushing applications, being used on a small production workshop or in a multiple shift production.
Defining a process
Considering the initial surface quality of the material and the required surface level is the
most critical step when considering a metal finishing machine. This will
determine the right equipment not only for the budget but also for the
efficiency of the surface finishing process. NS Máquinas machines can be
configurated with a different number of abrasive belts and brush stations. This
can lead to a simple and low-cost tube or flat bar finishing machine with a
single belt or brush station machine or, on the other limit, to a wet multiple
head six stations machine. NS Máquinas can also offer through-feed top and
bottom machines or even 4 sides finishing machines. These tubes and bar
finishing machines will do 2 sides and even 4 sides simultaneously in one
single pass, saving time and material handling costs.
The solution
The FC120 ZK machine is a Flat Surface Finishing Machine suitable for stainless steel flat bars and for rectangular tubes. This finishing machine can also process narrow metal sheets, flat metal parts and various other shapes such as door handles, knifes or, door locks.
This machine can be
configurated with a single station – abrasive belt – or double station –
abrasive belt and an abrasive brush. The 120mm width and 120mm height capacity
is enough for most sizes in locksmiths, metal producers, metal finishing
companies, metal components producers. The tools free and fast abrasive belt
replacement system is an essential feature that allows the operator to
quickly change the type of surface and continue with other work. For specific
requests, this machine can also include loading and unloading tables, special
conveyor belts for not flat components.
Putting the machine in
operation and adjusting it was made very easy with a simple control panel where
the conveyor belt and abrasive stations are switched on/off and speed adjusted.
The machine also counts with a central thickness and pressure adjusting wheel
with a 1/10mm precision display.
The model FC120 ZK
features a non-woven abrasive brush which applies a smooth and regular
finishing to the material. This brush has a wear adjustment wheel which enables
a complete use of the abrasive right up to its core.
Below you can find the FC120 ZK demonstration video with rectangular and squared tubes, flat bars, and metal sheets surface finishing.
The Case Study
Alurodel is a
specialized sled manufacturer based in South Tirol, Italy. The aluminum sled is
hand-made in their workshop. The company uses high-quality material to avoid
rusting, scratching by humidity, or temperature change. Alurodel has purchased
2 months ago one FC120 ZK from NS Máquinas to help them in the finishing
operation of aluminium frames.
In fact, at the production, the aluminum frame is one of the parts which
requires special attention. Those parts are one of the most exposed to the snow
(low temperatures) but also what allows it to slide and support the person's
weight.
This company was finishing the aluminum surface to roughness of 3,5µm Ra with
manual tools which were a very time-consuming process. NS Máquinas has proposed
to achieve the same roughness on an automatic process with FC120 ZK. Setting
the machine with a 60-grit abrasive belt and a medium grit abrasive brush, it
was easy and quick to achieve a uniform surface which is perfect for the powder
coating and clear coat required on the final product. Mr. Torggler, Alurodel
general manager, points out that the company has increased 3 times the output of
finished material, assuring at the same time a highly consistent production.
Alurodel aluminium
sleds are a proven light, flexible, and secure item for pure fun to be used by
the whole family. You may know more about this company and their products
visiting their website.
