Automated Deburring & Surface Prep
Bel Air Finishing Supply is proud to announce that Steve Alviti, Sr., a veteran in surface finishing solutions, delivered a powerful and insightful presentation at FabTech 2025, focused on one of the most overlooked cost centers in modern machining: the deburring process.
In his session, titled “Automated Deburring and Surface Prep”, Steve Sr. addressed a widespread issue affecting shops of all sizes — the tendency to invest heavily in automated CNC equipment while continuing to rely on outdated, labor-intensive hand-deburring techniques.
“It’s incredible how many shops still have highly paid workers hunched over microscopes with X-Acto knives,” said Steve Sr. “They’re achieving remarkable efficiency in machining, but losing that edge in finishing — right where it counts.”
He went on to present finishing systems as a solution for modern manufacturers. These systems are ideal for cellular manufacturing environments, reduce deburring cycle times from hours to minutes, and can cut manual labor by up to 80% — all while improving finish consistency and throughput.
Bel Air’s focus on practical, scalable finishing solutions continues to resonate with shops facing increased demand for tighter tolerances, faster turnaround, and smaller batch sizes. Steve Sr. emphasized that by integrating finishing into the initial production planning phase, manufacturers can avoid costly delays, labor bottlenecks, and unprofitable job quoting.
The message was clear: Finishing is no longer just a final step — it’s a strategic advantage.