Sign in Get Instant Quote

Finishing Services

Tumbling

At a glance

Applicable Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Stainless Steel

Colors

n/a

Texture

Slightly rounded edges, smooth, slightly matte finish, does not hide all machine marks

Can be applied with

Any finish

About the Process

Tumbling is a finishing process that is used to clean, deburr, and slightly smooth smaller parts. Tumbling uses a horizontal drum where parts are placed, along with a media, such as sand or ceramic chips. The drum rotates slowly, causing the media to slide repeatedly over the parts, breaking any sharp edges and lightly smoothing the surface. Tumbling is fairly inexpensive due to the small amount of manual labor involved to run the process.

Design considerations

  • Because parts cannot be masked prior to tumbling, consider adding features such as threads and engravings after this process.
  • Tumbling is a rough process, so parts with thin features are not ideal for this finishing option.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN

The Impact of AI in Mechanical Engineering

Artificial Intelligence is no longer on the horizon for mechanical engineers—it’s already on our desktops, inside our CAD tools, and embedded in robotics on the factory floor. When I started working as a mechanical engineer 15 years ago, I didn’t think much about AI someday reshaping my job. Now the question has shifted from will […]

Learn More

4-Axis CNC Machining: Capabilities, Applications, and Design Guidelines

4-axis CNC machining is a subtractive manufacturing process that moves a cutting tool and workpiece along four axes of motion—the standard X, Y, and Z linear axes, plus a fourth rotational axis (the A-axis) that rotates the workpiece around the X-axis. That additional degree of freedom is what separates 4-axis from conventional 3-axis machining. The […]

Learn More

Also of Interest