Finishing Tools Increase Houston Shop’s Control of Production of Quality Precision Parts

Precision machine shops that must meet detailed specifications with tight tolerances for critical applications have no choice but to exert complete control over all aspects of the production process. After all, the word “control” is one of the C’s in CNC. However, control also extends to the finishing tools and techniques used for cross hole deburring, cylinder honing, surface finishing, edge-blending and cleaning of parts prior to delivery to the customer. For machine shops, the stakes could not be higher as they essentially stake their reputation—and by extension their profitability and viability—on their finishing techniques. Failure to meet the extremely precise specifications and tight tolerances their customers require could mean economic ruin. Perhaps even more important, poorly finished products used in critical aerospace, medical, electrical, weaponry and other applications can lead to catastrophic failures in the field. According to James Mawazeb, a longtime lead engineer and director of operations at the JR Precision & Welding machine shop in Houston, Texas, one common challenge is deburring the intersection of cross-drilled holes.