Before
After
Objective
Develop a repeatable, non-manual process to remove burrs and sharp edges from the outer shroud of a stainless steel/Inconel vane assembly. The goal was to eliminate hand deburring labor while maintaining tight profiles and preventing damage to the critical flow surfaces.
| Industry | Aerospace/Defense |
| Part Description | Vane Assembly |
| Fabrication Method | CNC Machined, Forged, Ground, Laser/Wire Cut, Stamped |
| Material | Stainless Steel/Inconel |
| Process Technology | Deburring, Dry Blasting, Wet Grinding |
| Equipment Type | Automated Finishing, Tumbler, Vibratory Finisher |
Solution
Bel Air developed an automated vibratory finishing process to replace hand deburring on the outer shroud of the vane assembly. The part was processed in a vibratory system using a non-aggressive ceramic media blend selected to remove burrs and feathered edges while maintaining the aerodynamic contours of the vanes.
Process parameters—including media size, vibratory amplitude, cycle time, and part orientation—were tuned to ensure the deburring action remained focused on the outer shroud without rounding, thinning, or altering blade geometry. The resulting finish provided a consistent edge break, improved handling safety, and reduced downstream assembly issues.
By transitioning from manual handwork to a controlled vibratory process, the customer achieved repeatable edge quality, reduced labor time, and more uniform part-to-part results across production batches.
If you are unsure what equipment and media you require to achieve your desired surface finish, then send us your part, and we will evaluate it and provide you with a metrology report.