'We are finding two distinct strands to this new surge. The first is a resurgence of low-value, mass-produced, die cast parts where thermal deburring has always had a proven record of removing flash. And the second is high precision machined castings where thermal's guarantee of removing 100% of burrs is coming into it's own.' Said Martin Bridges, the sales manager.

It seems that after the void left by the migration of the big players to the Far East, the smaller manufacturers are finally raising their game and coming into their own and winning an increase of work based on quality, economical volumes and short lead times. Thermal deburring has always been a favoured choice of moulders ever since it was developed some 40 years ago.

In essence it was one of the reasons behind the development of thermal deburring. By being able to batch process 100s of components every cycle it was fast recognized by La Roux-Gillespie (the US deburring guru) as the most economical method of deburring and deflashing.

Also where thermal uses a gas (as the energy source to de-burr by oxidizing them), penetrating internal features effortlessly is one of it's great strengths. This unique feature which clearly separates it from other deburring methods is now being utilized to enhance the value of high quality machined parts. Complex, cast automotive pump bodies and hydraulic manifolds can gain all the cost advantages yet equal the quality of all-machined parts. Thermal deburring not only deburrs automatically far quicker and far more consistently than by hand but also can identify any void or weakness in casting when it subjects components to pressures of up to 20 bar before firing the highly explosive gas/oxygen mix. Any burr that will come off in service won't survive it's highly controlled, computerized, explosion.

Farming out deburring can be profitable. Thermal deburring is a non selective process. The process is fast, with multiple components capable of being fired together with machine cycle times of 30-120 seconds. The quality is consistent. Computerised controlled conditions mean that every component, run and batch are consistent. And on more valued machined parts that are fixtured no surfaces are touched, scratched, scraped or damaged. And because the process is non selective - every, burr is removed. So sub-contracting deburring not only saves you money, but provides added value of guaranteeing consistent, higher quality and, better still, also sets your skilled operatives free to run higher value machining centres.