HARPER "BUFFING” SYSTEMS

• Versatile Whether it's contact buffing or mush buffing, versatility is the key to success. Harper's buffing systems obtain and maintain superior results by regulating the contact time between part and wheel, buffing head RPM and part position.  With years of experience in process, Harper will select the optimum combination of consumables and hardware.
• Consistent In achieving a consistent finish, precise wheel pressure against the part is an integral part of the process. Utilizing adjustable single-plane wheel wear compensation, Harper's Smart Machines automatically maintain constant pressure as the wheel diameter decreases.
• Flexible With its flexing and enveloping characteristics, mush buffing allows the wheel to follow edges and surfaces of complex parts—deburring, refining and radiusing as it goes.

PROBLEM: Inconsistent finish, high scrap rate
SOLUTION: A 72-inch diameter indexing rotary table with seven power driven work spindles and 4 buffing heads improved consistency and significantly lowered the scrap rate on 10 different pieces. The uniform surface is generated in preparation for application of a non-reflective coating.

PROBLEM: Eliminating patchwork finish
SOLUTION: A PLC controlled buff head traverses the length of the pure aluminum pressure bonded surface.
A high finish is achieved with a maximum material removal of less than .0007 inches. The high finish eliminates painting, lowers maintenance, reduces aircraft weight, and eliminates the patchwork type pattern associated with hand finishing.

PROBLEM: Application of a uniform finish
SOLUTION: Quick change rotating fixtures and PLC controlled compound application ensure a consistent, uniform finish. Two twelve-foot buffing heads maintain a production rate of 90 parts per hour. Several hand finishing operations are eliminated prior to clear coating or silver plating.

PROBLEM: Achieving high finish
SOLUTION: Three cut/color heads and one high-color head are utilized to achieve an RA finish of less than one micron. The process produces an absolutely uniform surface, geometrically sound, with no pullout of metal surface. There is no change in the metallurgical or physical characteristics of the metal.

PROBLEM: Creating uniform radius in portholes
SOLUTION: Utilizing a combination of buffing heads, an RA of 1 to 2 microns is achieved while radiusing all port holes uniformly. In addition, all machining and grinding lines are removed with no change in the part geometry. Capabilities include miniature precision valves to giant nuclear power plant valves.