Functional Brushing Systems

Brushing is used primarily for functional finishing to improve product performance. Deburring and removal of surface contaminants from metal, plastic, and rubber components are all ideal applications for Harper brushing systems.

An Effective Solution

Why brush? The payoff is longer product life through better fitting and operating parts, increased wear life, better fatigue resistance, and improved corrosion resistance. Brushing uses wheel-mounted filament brushes, fibrous strands, and composite wheels. Brushing can reach internal recesses, corners, and sharp geometries of intricate components.

Problem	Radiusing dead sharp edges
Solution	On a continuous rotary machine equipped with silicon carbide nylon wheels, a uniform radius is applied to top and bottom cutting edges. A super finish is also applied to the chip breaker area, ensuring uniform chip breaking, even with exotic metals. Production rates of over 500 parts per hour are achieved.
Problem	Removal of excessive burrs
Solution	At a rate of 160 pieces per hour, three brushing heads equipped with mono-filament brushes deburr the helical hob spline before assembly. An automatic pick and place unit transfers the part to and from the automated finishing cell. The system includes dry floor guarding and coolant filtration.
Problem	Uniform radius on fir tree area
Solution	Brushing with a silicon carbide impregnated nylon brush generates a uniform edge radius, removing all stress risers and machining marks on the fir tree area of the blade.
Problem	Surface Conditioning
Solution	An over/under indexing conveyor presents the camshafts to two finishing heads. A slight edge break is developed on all cam lobes, and an overall surface finish better than 12 RA is attained. The second head also establishes a directional finish to the bearing journal, ensuring oil retention.