Kemet shows how to Deburr and not demur.

During most machining operations, components become burred, and sharp edges or material compression occurs. These affect the quality of the part and can create issues with assembly and failure of parts due to break-off of material during working life. Removal of burrs is often critical to many of the lapping and polishing processes Kemet develop for customers, to prevent damage to lapping/polishing support materials and extend their life.

Kemet is always monitoring technical developments around the world and has an extensive range of processes for deburring solutions.

The comprehensive range of precision power hand tool systems, including Nakanishi, Diprofil, and Flexible Drive Systems, with attachments and abrasive consumables suitable for grinding, smoothing, polishing, and deburring, has been expanded to include the full range of Xebec deburring and polishing products.

Traditionally, abrasive-loaded nylon brushes have been used for deburring, but Xebec brushes use abrasive ceramic fibre. One single bristle consists of 500 -1,000 ceramic fibres that work as cutting edges, providing excellent cutting ability. This offers a number of features to improve CNC deburring & polishing.

The Xebec products cater for either hand use or for in-process, CNC/Robotic use, with bespoke tools for the full range of deburring challenges, including after face-milling, end milling and drilling; threading and drilling, and polishing brushes to remove cutter marks on top surfaces, side, inner diameters, and channels. A simple check of whether the Xebec brush range is relevant for removing the burr is to see if it can be bent by your fingernail. If they can be bent, then the brushes will work.

Due to the design of the ceramic fibre, new cutting edges are constantly being uncovered and the brush maintains a consistent cutting performance right up until the fibres have worn down to the end.

Unlike nylon brushes, the ceramic fibres do not contort with use and the Xebec brush maintains its straight shape and does not spread out like a toothbrush even after continuous use. This makes it perfect for CNC deburring and polishing in mass production lines.

In addition to the ceramic brushes, Kemet offers the Xebec range of Back Burr Cutters specifically for deburring the front and back of drilled or tapped holes. These are supplied with a personalised tool path so it cuts into a 3D curved edge with the optimal cutting angle ensuring no secondary burrs are generated. The tool life is extensively extended by continuously shifting the contact point of the cutting edge. In tests, these deburring tools have been proven to cut machining times by up to 90%.

Advice on the most suitable brush for customers’ component geometry, material and challenge is available from Kemet’s team of technical representatives, using Xebec’s knowledge base, garnered from deburring solutions they have provided to companies worldwide from a variety of different sectors, from medical to aerospace, from auto to electronics.