Vibratory Deburring

Vibratory deburring removes small burrs and smooths surfaces by vibrating parts with media in a tub or bowl, ideal for batch processing.

Overview

Vibratory deburring (vibratory finishing/tumbling) loads parts, abrasive media, and compound into a vibrating bowl or tub to knock off light burrs, break sharp edges, and blend tool marks. It’s a batch process that can run unattended and scale well for high part counts, especially on small-to-medium components with accessible edges.

Choose it when you need consistent edge break and surface smoothing across many parts without hand labor. It’s best for “micro-burrs” from CNC machining, stamping, or sawing, and for cosmetic blending prior to anodize, plating, or coating.

Tradeoffs: it’s not selective—media hits all exposed surfaces—so critical edges, thin features, threads, and tight-fit interfaces can be rounded or peened. Deep pockets, sharp internal corners, and intersecting holes may not deburr fully due to poor media access. Cycle time can be hours, and parts can ding together unless fixtured or separated.

Common Materials

  • Aluminum 6061
  • Stainless Steel 304
  • Steel 1018
  • Brass C360
  • Zinc die cast
  • Titanium Grade 5

Tolerances

±0.002" to ±0.005" (edge break can vary; protect critical fits/features)

Applications

  • CNC-milled brackets and plates
  • Small turned fittings and spacers
  • Stamped and laser-cut hardware
  • Machined medical instrument components
  • Die-cast housings and covers
  • Firearm accessory components

When to Choose Vibratory Deburring

Pick vibratory deburring for batch runs where a uniform light edge break and surface blend is acceptable across all exposed features. It fits best for small-to-medium parts with robust geometry and non-critical edge conditions, especially when labor reduction matters. Expect best results when burrs are small and repeatable coming off the prior operation.

vs Manual Deburring

Choose vibratory deburring when you have many parts and can accept a uniform, non-selective edge break across all exposed surfaces. It reduces labor and improves consistency, but won’t target only one edge or protect a specific feature without masking/fixturing.

vs Tumble Deburring

Choose vibratory deburring when you need faster, more controllable action with better surface uniformity on delicate parts. Vibration generally reduces part-on-part impacts compared to barrel tumbling, lowering denting risk while still handling high volumes.

vs Abrasive Blasting

Choose vibratory deburring when you need actual burr removal and edge rounding, not just surface texture change. Blasting can clean and matte surfaces but often struggles to remove heavier burrs and won’t produce the same consistent edge break.

vs Brush Deburring (Abrasive Brush)

Choose vibratory deburring when you want unattended batch processing and can tolerate less selectivity. Brush deburring is more directional and controllable for specific edges but is typically slower per part and may require dedicated setups.

Design Considerations

  • Call out an acceptable edge break range (e.g., 0.005–0.015 in) and identify edges that must remain sharp or dimensionally controlled
  • Avoid thin tabs, knife edges, and fragile features that can bend or erode during long cycles; add radii or thicken where possible
  • Protect or post-process threads, bearing bores, sealing lands, and press fits; these can be rounded, peened, or have size shift from finishing
  • Add drainage/vent paths for blind pockets so compound and media fines don’t pack in and cause staining or trapped residue
  • Separate dissimilar materials or hardness levels in different runs to avoid cross-contamination and uneven finishing
  • Specify cosmetic requirements (Ra target, directionality expectations, allowable media marks) and share prior-process burr size for accurate quoting