Cutting cost and improving consistency with automated finishing

At the same time, parts can be degreased, rinsed, dried and pretreated for anodising, chemical blacking or painting.

More than 120 machines are available for inspection at the supplier’s Bletchley headquarters, which houses a showroom, technical centre and demonstration facility. PLC dosing of additives, water metering and recirculation, automatic parts separation, drying and acoustic suppression can be supplied with the machines.

In stock also are over 70 tonnes of the main consumable items, which run to over 6,000 varieties including ceramic and porcelain media, detergents and other compounds.

PDJ Vibro can provide free process advice, which takes into account the number of parts to be finished per batch, frequency of production, drainage and noise issues, the size of components and how vulnerable they are to damage by impingement. Finishing trials and sample processing are also offered, along with flexible payment and buy-back solutions.

If funding is not available for machine purchase, the company recommends its 24/7 subcontract finishing capacity. Around 35 million parts are processed annually.

A collection and delivery service is provided, but customers can arrange their own transportation if preferred or even wait for the parts to be ready.

Designed for mass processing of small to medium sized components, the company’s main, high-end vibratory bowl range has chamber sizes from 7.5-6,000l. Alternatively, three competitively priced, entry-level models have process chamber capacities of 300, 150 and 75l.

They are priced at about 25% less but are nevertheless built to a high specification, having a durable, stress relieved bowl with cast polyurethane lining driven by a heavy-duty, three-phase electric motor.

Rectangular troughs are available in 13 sizes with capacities from 22-2,200l. They are the preferred choice for finishing larger prismatic items and those made from flat sheet metal as well as delicate components that are susceptible to impact damage.