Creating high-quality finished products requires more than precise cutting and forming—it also demands careful finishing. In metal fabrication, deburring is the process of removing rough edges and sharp burrs from metal parts. Deburring plays an important yet often underappreciated role in achieving a smooth, safe, and professional finish. At Ameritex, we’ve refined our deburring process to ensure that every part we produce meets the highest standards. Let’s take a closer look at how deburring works in our facility and highlight the specialized equipment we use to deliver top-tier results.
Deburring, how does it work?
The deburring process begins after a part is cut, typically with a laser or punch press. After cutting, the part moves to the deburring department, where we remove any scrap material and address the rough edges, or “burrs,” left behind. Burrs are small bits of excess metal that can form along edges or around cuts during the fabrication process. While they may be tiny, burrs can compromise a part’s performance, aesthetics, and safety if left unaddressed.
At Ameritex, the deburring process involves a combination of mechanical deburring and manual finishing to ensure precision. Here’s a closer look at the steps we follow:
- Deburring Machine Pass: The majority of parts pass through a deburring machine, where abrasive belts and rotating drums clean out burrs quickly and evenly. For many projects, this initial pass is all that’s needed to produce smooth, polished edges.
- Manual Deburring (if needed): When a part requires additional finishing, our skilled technicians step in with manual tools to refine it further. Aluminum fabrication often demands a rougher finish for better powder coating adhesion, while stainless steel requires a more delicate touch to maintain its high-quality appearance. Depending on the part’s requirements, our technicians may use hand-held dynafiles, angle and straight die grinders, chisels, and polishers to get into hard-to-reach areas.
- Specialized Processes for Micro Joints: Sometimes, parts may have micro joints, tiny attachments that hold scrap pieces in place during cutting. Whenever possible, we strategically place micro joints where a weld will go, eliminating the need to remove them during deburring. For larger scrap pieces, our team removes them manually, while smaller ones may be cleared using an air hammer. The micro joints themselves are then smoothed out with grinders or belt sanders, ensuring a clean, seamless surface.
Our State-of-the-Art Deburring Machines
To support our commitment to high-quality finishes, we’ve invested in advanced deburring equipment that offers both efficiency and precision. Ameritex currently operates three state-of-the-art deburring machines, each designed to handle various part sizes and finishes.
LISSMAC Machines
We rely on two LISSMAC deburring machines, which excel in speed and accuracy. Equipped with both grinding and sanding belts that rotate horizontally, these machines can deburr both sides of a part simultaneously. They hold the parts securely in place using rollers, allowing for even, consistent pressure across the entire surface.
The LISSMAC machines are particularly effective for parts that require dual-sided finishing in a single pass. This dual-sided processing capability not only improves efficiency but also results in consistent, high-quality finishes. By rotating the belts horizontally, the LISSMACs deliver smooth edges and polished surfaces that enhance both the safety and aesthetic of the finished part.
ARKU Machine
Our ARKU deburring machine offers unique capabilities, complementing the work of the LISSMACs with its vertical rotating belt
. Unlike the LISSMAC machines, the ARKU deburrs only one side of the part at a time. The ARKU machine’s setup includes a second section with sanding drums and a final polishing belt, making it perfect for parts where a high-quality finish is essential.
The ARKU holds parts in place with suction rather than rollers, a feature that provides additional flexibility when working with parts that may be difficult to secure otherwise. This versatility allows our team to handle a wider variety of part sizes and shapes, ensuring that each piece receives the precise finish it needs.
Collaborative Finishing for Superior Results
Our commitment to high-quality metal fabrication services goes beyond just the machines and tools we use. At Ameritex, the deburring team works closely with our engineering department to ensure that each part’s design is optimized for the deburring process. By communicating regularly and fine-tuning the approach based on feedback from each department, we maximize efficiency and quality across all projects.
Experience the Ameritex Difference
Deburring may be an “unsung hero” of the metal fabrication process, but at Ameritex, we recognize its critical role in delivering parts that are both functional and visually appealing. Our state-of-the-art deburring machines, skilled technicians, and collaborative approach allow us to achieve high-quality finishes that meet the demands of even the most complex projects. From sheet metal assemblies to custom metal enclosures, we handle each part with precision
and care to ensure it’s ready for the next stage of production—or for direct use by the customer.
If you’re looking for a trusted partner in custom metal fabrication who values quality at every step, reach out to Ameritex. Our team is here to support
your project with expertise, advanced technology, and a commitment to excellence. Contact us today or request a quote to see how we can bring your vision to life with expertly crafted, precision-finished parts.
