Machined Surface Finishing

Machined surface finishing improves as-machined part edges and surface condition through deburring processes that remove burrs, soften edges, and stabilize fit and function.

Overview

Machined surface finishing covers post-machining steps—most often manual deburring, tumble deburring, or vibratory deburring—to remove burrs, break sharp edges, and reduce handling hazards. It targets edge condition and cosmetic uniformity rather than changing part geometry in a controlled way.

Choose it when burrs interfere with assembly, sealing, electrical contact, or user touch points, or when you need consistent edge breaks across batches. It’s a practical add-on for CNC- or screw-machined parts where burr direction and size vary by toolpath and material.

Tradeoffs: deburring can slightly round edges and soften fine features; aggressive media can affect thin walls, small holes, and tight edge-break callouts. Results depend on burr size, part fixturing, media selection, and inspection method, so define requirements clearly (edge break, max burr, Ra if applicable) to avoid rework and quote surprises.

Common Materials

  • Aluminum 6061
  • Stainless Steel 304
  • Stainless Steel 316
  • Carbon Steel 1018
  • Brass 360
  • Titanium Grade 5

Tolerances

±0.002"

Applications

  • O-ring gland components
  • Precision spacers and shims
  • Valve bodies and manifolds
  • Medical instrument handles
  • Electronics enclosures and chassis
  • Shaft collars and clamp rings

When to Choose Machined Surface Finishing

Pick machined surface finishing when burr removal and safe, repeatable edge condition matter more than achieving a mirror surface. It fits prototypes through production as long as edge-break and burr limits are realistic for the chosen deburring method. It’s most effective when burrs are moderate and features can tolerate slight edge rounding.

vs Polishing

Choose machined surface finishing when the goal is burr removal and consistent edge breaks, not a high-gloss or low-Ra cosmetic finish. Deburring is faster and more controllable for functional edges, while polishing is better suited to broad surfaces where appearance or very low roughness drives the requirement.

vs Coatings

Choose machined surface finishing when edge condition is the primary issue and you don’t need added thickness or corrosion/wear performance. Deburring is often a prerequisite before coating to prevent coating voids and flaking at sharp edges and burrs.

vs Painting

Choose machined surface finishing when you need clean edges and burr-free holes for assembly before any color or cosmetic layer. Deburring reduces paint defects like edge pull-back, fisheyes from trapped chips, and handling damage during masking and assembly.

vs Passivation

Choose machined surface finishing when burrs and sharp edges are the risk, since passivation won’t remove metal or fix edge condition. Deburring first improves cleanliness and reduces crevice traps that can complicate post-process cleaning and verification.

vs Hard Coatings

Choose machined surface finishing when you need burr-free cutting edges, holes, and threads prior to coating, and you can’t tolerate coating bridging over burrs. Deburring improves coating adhesion consistency and reduces premature wear initiated at sharp burrs.

Design Considerations

  • Call out edge condition explicitly (e.g., “Break all edges 0.2–0.5 mm” or “Max burr 0.05 mm”) instead of relying on “deburr” alone
  • Identify critical edges that must stay sharp and protect them with notes or masking/fixturing requirements
  • Avoid extremely thin fins, knife edges, and tiny unsupported tabs if using tumble/vibratory deburring; they will round or peen
  • Specify which features are most sensitive (small holes, threads, sealing lands) so the shop can choose media and process time appropriately
  • Provide a burr-direction expectation based on machining strategy if certain edges are prone to heavy burrs (slot exits, cross-holes, thread starts)
  • Define inspection method for burr/edge break (visual standard, tactile, max radius/chamfer) to prevent subjective accept/reject