Before

CNC-machined aluminum heatsink before deburring showing machining marks and unfinished surface
Close-up of aluminum heatsink fins showing burrs and machining marks prior to finishing

After

CNC-machined aluminum heatsink after vibratory finishing with uniform surface and deburred edges
Close-up of aluminum heatsink fins after vibratory finishing showing smooth edges and reduced burrs

Objective

An aerospace machining manufacturer in Pepperell, Massachusetts partnered with Bel Air to develop a deburring and surface finishing process for CNC-machined aluminum heatsinks to remove burrs, smooth machined edges, and improve overall surface consistency.

Machined aluminum components often exhibit sharp edges, burrs, and machining marks after milling, requiring secondary finishing to achieve consistent performance and surface quality.

IndustryMachine Shop Applications, Aerospace/Defense
Part DescriptionLarge Heat Sink Package
Fabrication MethodCNC Machined
MaterialAluminum
Process TypeDeburr, Polish
Equipment TypeVibratory Finisher

Solution

Bel Air developed a vibratory finishing process using a large-capacity Vibratory Tub Finisher to deburr and polish CNC-machined aluminum heatsinks.

After machining, the parts required deburring and surface cleanup across machined edges and features. The process uses abrasive media and controlled motion to remove burrs while improving surface consistency across the entire part.

The tub-style system is well suited for larger components, allowing multiple parts to be processed simultaneously while maintaining consistent contact between media and all exposed surfaces.

The result is a repeatable, production-ready process that:

  • Removes burrs from edges and machined features
  • Improves surface consistency across the entire part
  • Enhances overall part quality without altering critical geometry

Send Us Your Parts for Deburring & Finishing Evaluation

Working with CNC-machined aluminum parts or complex geometries like heatsinks? Send us your parts for evaluation. Our lab will develop a process to remove burrs, improve surface consistency, and deliver repeatable, production-ready results.