Different tools for different goals
Mass finishing, blasting and ultrasonic cleaning are often mentioned together, but they solve different problems. Choosing the right one starts with what you want to change: the shape of the edge, the texture of the surface, or what is sitting on it.
Mass finishing (vibratory)
Parts tumble with pre-formed ceramic or plastic media and a liquid compound in a vibrating bowl or tub. It deburrs, radiuses edges, smooths and polishes many parts at once. Best for batches of small and medium parts where uniform edge finish matters.
Blasting and shot-peening
Media such as ceramic beads, glass beads, aluminium oxide or plastic is propelled at the surface. Depending on media and pressure it cleans, creates a satin texture, removes flash, or — in shot-peening — induces compressive stress that improves fatigue life. Best for surface texture, scale and paint removal, and fatigue-critical parts.
Ultrasonic cleaning
Parts are immersed in a tank where high-frequency sound creates cavitation bubbles that scrub grease, carbon, flux and dirt from every surface, including blind holes. It does not change the metal surface. Best for cleaning complex parts before inspection, assembly, coating or reuse.
Quick guide
- Burrs and sharp edges → mass finishing
- Uniform matte / satin texture → blasting
- Fatigue life → shot-peening
- Grease, carbon, flux in complex parts → ultrasonic
- Often combined: deburr → clean → inspect