Finishtech

Mass finishing in a nutshell

Mass finishing, also known as trovalizing, vibroabrasion, barrel polishing or vibropolishing, is a chemical-mechanical surface treatment process used to modify the surface of a variety of industrial parts. The technique is constantly evolving, making it an indispensable solution in modern industry.

Good to know: Mass finishing is called tribofinition in french.

Mass finishing was inspired by natural phenomena such as the friction of sand and water, enabling rocks and pebbles to be polished to a smooth, shiny surface. Today, this industrial biomimetics is optimized by cutting-edge technologies.

The modern Mass finishing process

The aim of Mass finishing is to reproduce this natural phenomenon on an industrial scale by combining different elements:

Specialized equipment (Mass finishing machines)*.
Water (with ecological recycling systems)
From abrasives new-generation abrasives (3 optimized types)
Chemical additives (eco-responsible formulations)
Digital control systems (new for 2024)

*FINISHTECH offers you 7 different types of Mass finishing machines in different ranges, all equipped with the latest technological innovations.

Our complete range of machines

These machines include :

The circular vibrators available in 7 different models: S, B, TVB, VB1, P, O and I series
The linear vibratorsavailable in 2 different models: TU and HT series
Therotating bottom centrifugalmachine
The high-energy centrifugal machine
The dual machine
The machineTwin- or three-engine AWP
The dryers available in 7 different models: VBD, TU10D, CFD, HT2D, CD, HD 3000, and RD series

The mass finishing process is suitable for a wide range of applications:

Deburring
Polishing
Smoothing
Shot-blasting
Sharp-edged shelving
Descaling
Degreasing
Glossing
Parts cleaning

How do I start a mass finishing mass finishing cycle?

There are several stages:

Step 1: The operator uses the PLC display to switch on the machine.
Step 2: Next, he opens the barrel cellar and deposits the abrasives manually or automatically.
Step 3: It then loads the parts in turn, either manually or automatically.
Step 4: Then fill the tank or barrels with the volume of water and chemical additive
required for the process, and close the hood.

It should be noted that during treatment, the volume of water and chemical additive is automatically dosed via a swivel hose according to the cycle selected in the mass finishing machine’s PLC.

Step 5: The operator sets the execution time and starts the cycle.
Step 6: At the end of the treatment process, before opening the barrels or the treatment tank to recover the treated parts, in the case of a high-energy centrifugal machine, the operator must engage the pressure release system to ensure that there is no pressure when opening.
Step 7: Once this operation is complete, the operator can empty the tank.
Step 8: The sieving grid then separates the parts from the abrasives, sending each element to the appropriate hoppers (this step may differ depending on the processing machine used).
Step 9: Finally, if any fragile parts are present, the operator must manually remove
them from the barrels.

Our commitment to quality

Mass finishing is an industrial process that requires a number of decisive factors to achieve good finishing results, including know-how and the right methodology.

It’s not enough to deburr or polish parts to achieve a good finish, but it’s essential to apply the appropriate methodology and rigor.

By following the protocol to the letter, and with perseverance, you’ll be able to achieve highly qualitative results, and above all results that will be reproducible with each cycle.

Finally, bear in mind that your choice of abrasives and chemical additives is directly linked to the results you’ll obtain, so choose wisely to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

We’ve made it our mission to provide you with as much information as possible about mass finishing on our website, but we’re always happy to answer any questions you may have that aren’t answered on our website.

FINISHTECH expertise guarantees :

A proven, up-to-date methodology
Reproducible results
Complete traceability
Expert technical support

Don’t hesitate to ask us for advice: our team of experts is at your disposal.

Resources and documentation

We provide you with a wealth of up-to-date information on mass finishing . Consult our resources:

Please also feel free to consult our brochures and articles to learn more about mass finishing :

Thanks to our partnership with ActOn Finishing, Finishtech offers you a wide range of machines, proudly made in England. We guarantee the best value for money on the market, with premium service.