Before

CNC-machined 4140 steel strong side thumb safety before deburring and surface finishing.

After

4140 steel strong side thumb safety after centrifugal disc finishing, showing a deburred and blended surface finish.
3D surface roughness analysis of a finished steel strong side thumb safety after centrifugal disc finishing.

Objective

A firearms components manufacturer in the Austin, TX region needed a repeatable finishing process to deburr and blend CNC-machined 4140 steel strong side thumb safeties while reducing manual finishing.

IndustryFirearms/Weaponry
Part DescriptionStrong Side Thumb Safety (V2 & V3)
Fabrication MethodCNC Machined
Material4140 Steel Alloy-HSS
Process TechnologyDeburring, Burnishing, Wet Grinding
Equipment TypeCentrifugal Disc Finisher

Solution

Bel Air developed an automated finishing process for CNC-machined 4140 steel strong side thumb safeties using a Centrifugal Disc Finisher. The objective was to remove burrs, blend machined surfaces, and produce a consistent finish while reducing manual hand finishing.

The Centrifugal Disc Finishing process blended machined surfaces, removed burrs, and smoothed sharp edges while maintaining the part geometry. Different media, compounds, and process parameters were evaluated to develop a repeatable finishing process for the application.

The resulting process delivered consistent part-to-part results, improved repeatability, and supported higher-volume production while reducing manual finishing.

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.