Before

CNC-machined 4140 steel pistol frame before automated deburring and surface preparation.
Close-up of a machined edge on a 4140 steel pistol frame before automated deburring.

After

Steel Glock slide after automated surface preparation with a clean, uniform finish ready for coating.
Close-up of a deburred edge on a 4140 steel pistol frame after automated surface preparation.

Objective

A firearms manufacturer in the Burlington, VT region needed to develop an automated finishing process for CNC-machined 4140 steel pistol frames to minimize hand finishing and improve production efficiency.

IndustryFirearms/Weaponry
Part DescriptionSteel Pistol Frame
Fabrication MethodCNC Machined
Material4140 Steel Alloy
Process TechnologyDeburring, Surface Preparation, Wet Grinding
Equipment TypeAutomated Finishing, Centrifugal Disc Finisher

Solution

Bel Air developed an automated finishing process for 4140 steel pistol frames using a centrifugal disc finisher. The objective was to reduce manual hand finishing while maintaining the critical geometry of the machined components.

The CNC-machined steel frames required controlled deburring and surface preparation to remove machining burrs while maintaining important dimensions and functional features.

Using a centrifugal disc finisher with specialized media and compounds, the pistol frames were processed to deburr edges and refine the machined surfaces. The resulting process reduced manual finishing while providing consistent, repeatable results for production.

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.