Component quality walks a tightrope

Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM), also known as pressure slip machining, is used for deburring and producing precision surfaces on components manufactured both conventionally and additively. (Image source: fairXperts)

Through the concentration of technologies, providers, and solutions within a focused framework, the DeburringEXPO offers an overview that cannot be found at any other trade fair. (Image source: fairXperts)

Significant future-oriented changes are currently taking place across many industrial sectors. It is already clear that properties such as burr-free surfaces, surface quality, and cleanliness have a decisive influence on component quality. As the only international trade fair dedicated to deburring technologies and precision surfaces, DeburringEXPO offers a range of solutions in these areas that is concentrated and comprehensive like no other trade fair. Valuable know-how is provided by the 3rd leading trade fair for deburring technologies and precision surfaces, which will take place from October 8 to 10, 2019, at the Karlsruhe exhibition grounds, additionally through its bilingual specialist forum.

Whether automotive industry, aerospace, mechanical engineering, medical technology, measurement, fine mechanics and sensor technology, tool and mold making, or supplier industry – these and other sectors are facing changes or are already in the process of implementing them. No matter how diverse the challenges to be addressed may be, one aspect clearly stands out: burr-free surfaces and tailored surface finishes increasingly determine the quality of components. The execution of manufacturing steps such as deburring, rounding, and the production of precision surfaces is thus becoming an ever more critical competitive factor. "This is becoming evident, among other things, in that manufacturing companies are already dealing with these issues during the product development phase and are seeking appropriate solutions," reports Hartmut Herdin, Managing Director of fairXperts GmbH & Co. KG and organizer of DeburringEXPO.

With the leading trade fair for deburring technologies and precision surfaces, the company has created a globally unique information and communication platform that enables targeted and efficient comparison of technologies and performance within a focused framework. For the 3rd DeburringEXPO, which will take place from October 8 to 10, 2019, at the Karlsruhe exhibition grounds (Rheinstetten), 155 exhibitors from twelve countries had already booked their stands by the end of June 2019, including nearly all market and technology leaders. It presents in the fields of deburring, rounding, and production of precision surfaces a concentration and comprehensiveness of offerings that is otherwise only found at international trade fairs. These include, among others, world premieres and innovative solutions that enable effective deburring and cleaning of components in a single process. Technologies that allow components to be produced completely burr-free, as well as solutions for automation and digitalization of deburring and surface finishing processes, will also be showcased.

Smaller, lighter, more precise, and even better in function

The component- and application-specific requirements for surfaces vary greatly across different industries. In the automotive and supplier industries, for example, solutions are needed to further reduce emissions and increase performance in combustion engines – whether as the sole drive or for hybrid models. On the other hand, burr-free components are crucial for electric drives, where even the smallest manufacturing residues can cause malfunctions or short circuits. Driver assistance systems up to autonomous driving are additional areas where burr-free parts are essential for proper operation. In aerospace, higher demands on surface quality arise from the trend toward ever stronger and lighter materials and more powerful assemblies. Manufacturers of medical devices face new challenges, among others, due to the new MDR (Medical Device Regulation), which becomes mandatory after a three-year transition period starting May 25, 2020. For sterile products, particles that can form, for example, through burrs, are mentioned for the first time.

When it comes to meeting increasingly strict particulate cleanliness requirements, such as for precision parts supplied to the circuit board industry, measurement technology, and optical industry, reliably deburred workpieces are a fundamental prerequisite. Regardless of the industry, the quality of subsequent processes such as joining, sealing, coating, or assembly can usually only be ensured through burr-free and properly processed surfaces. Another area addressed by DeburringEXPO is the post-processing of additively manufactured parts. This involves removing support structures and residual powder, as well as smoothing and polishing rough, porous surfaces or preparing for subsequent heat treatment or coating.

Bilingual specialist forum – Know-how and expertise as added value

With its accompanying program, DeburringEXPO offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise. The topic parks on component cleaning after deburring, the process chain of sheet metal deburring, and post-processing of additively manufactured components inform about current developments and trends. A high degree of practical orientation makes the three-day specialist forum, integrated into DeburringEXPO, an internationally sought-after source of knowledge. The presentations, translated simultaneously (German <> English), focus on fundamentals, ways to optimize processes and costs, reports on best-practice applications and trends, as well as the specific content of the topic parks. Practical examples and benchmark solutions enable visitors to gather ideas and inspiration for optimizing their own processes. Participation is free of charge for visitors to the leading trade fair.

Further information, the complete exhibition program, and the provisional list of exhibitors can be found at www.deburring-expo.de.