- Polyester resin-bonded abrasive media
- Grades for suitable deburring and smoothing applications
- Shapes selected for workpiece geometry and separation
- 6 mm pyramid and other listed size options
Inovatec MachineryPlastic Tumbling Media and Application Support
Inovatec supplies polyester resin-bonded abrasive media for suitable deburring and smoothing applications, including aluminum and brass components. Compare the grade, shape, and size with ceramic media using representative parts. A trial should establish surface condition, edge radius, dimensional change, contact risk, and separation.
Cones provide a tapered shape for assessing contact around suitable holes, slots, and contours. Compare media dimensions with the workpiece and check lodging as the media wear.
Tetrahedron media, also identified as TET, are listed in the 10–80 mm range. Confirm the nominal size, grade, and current availability for your application.
Lens-shaped media can be assessed for suitable narrow features and contoured surfaces. Check actual clearance, lodging, and separation during the trial.
This elongated shape can be assessed for contact with suitable recessed features. Confirm dimensions against hole and slot geometry, including worn media size.
Paraboloid media provide a shaped contact profile for evaluating suitable contours and recessed areas. Select the dimensions and grade for the actual workpiece.
Tri-star media provide projecting features for application assessment around edges and slots. Check access, wear, contact damage, and lodging with representative parts.
Angle-cut triangles can be assessed for contact around suitable edges, corners, and slots. Confirm the cutting grade separately from the media shape.
Pyramid media are listed in 6 mm and 10 mm sizes. Their faces and points provide different contact patterns; compare the result with alternatives through testing.
Media Grades and Process Selection
A medium-cutting grade for suitable deburring and smoothing applications. Compare the required finish, material removal, and media consumption during testing.
A fast-cutting grade for application evaluation where more material removal is required. Confirm roughness, cleanliness, and downstream preparation requirements before painting or anodizing.
A light-cutting grade for suitable smoothing and light deburring. Check remaining burrs, edge radius, and appearance against your acceptance criteria.
An ultra-fine-cutting grade for evaluating finer surface requirements. Confirm the finish, residue, and cleaning requirements before a downstream plating process.
The Z1 series is described as a zirconium silicate abrasive plastic media option. Request the current grade specification and evaluate it against the required cutting, finish, and wear performance.
Mass Finishing Machine
Inovatec supplies mass finishing equipment, including vibratory bowls and troughs, centrifugal disc and barrel systems, rotary tumblers, and automatic configurations. Match the media, compound, working load, and separation arrangement to the selected machine.
- Choose the abrasive grade for the required finish
- Compare shape and size with the workpiece geometry
- Check dimensional change, contact damage, and lodging
- Include separation and downstream cleaning in the trial
- Factory
- Before & After
The listed minimum order quantity is 500 kg. Discuss the quantity required for sample evaluation and production. Media and equipment may be shipped together where the agreed packing and shipment arrangement allow.
The listed packaging uses double-layer woven plastic bags of 25 kg or 50 lb, with 40 bags per pallet for the stated packing arrangement. The bag weights are separate options. Confirm the net weight, pallet details, and destination requirements with your order.
Payment terms are specified in the quotation and order agreement. Contact Inovatec to discuss the terms for your order.
Lead time depends on the grade, size, shape, quantity, and production schedule. Confirm the delivery date in the quotation.
Discuss the destination, transport method, packing requirements, and agreed delivery terms when confirming the order.
Resin-Bonded Media for Deburring and Smoothing
Inovatec plastic media combine a resin binder with selected abrasives for suitable part-finishing applications. Choose the cutting grade, shape, and size around the workpiece and required edge or surface condition. Compare finish, dimensions, media wear, and the complete production cycle.
Applications can be assessed for suitable aluminum, brass, copper, zinc castings, and other manufactured parts. Establish media and compound conditions with representative samples, using a compatible finishing machine and a separation arrangement matched to the load.
Application and Selection Guide
- 1. How is plastic media manufactured?
- 2. How is media quality checked?
- 3. Does this range include urea media?
- 4. Which sizes can be supplied?
- 5. Which shapes are shown?
- 6. What is plastic tumbling media?
- 7. What are the media made of?
- 8. Which finishing operations can be assessed?
- 9. How do the media finish a part?
- 10. How should shape and size be selected?
- 11. Which finishing machines can use plastic media?
- 12. Which applications can be assessed?
- 13. Which workpieces are suitable?
- 14. How should plastic media be compared with alternatives?
- 15. How long do plastic media last?
- 16. What affects the price?
- 17. What should a selection trial measure?
- 18. Which cutting grades are shown?
1. How is plastic media manufactured?
The process shown includes resin and abrasive preparation, mixing, molding, curing, conditioning, and inspection. Confirm the selected grade’s formulation and production specification. Raw materials, mold condition, and curing conditions should be controlled for the required product rather than used as universal performance guarantees.
2. How is media quality checked?
The listed dimensional tolerance is ±1 mm; the example allows a nominal 20 mm cone to measure 19–21 mm. Confirm applicability and the measurement method for the selected shape. Assess appearance, cutting, and media wear. Batch cutting and wear tests described here use representative metal test pieces in a centrifugal barrel system.
3. Does this range include urea media?
This range uses polyester resin. Inovatec does not manufacture urea media. Confirm the formulation and request the applicable product and handling documentation for your selected grade.
4. Which sizes can be supplied?
Availability depends on shape, grade, and mold. Sizes shown include 6 mm pyramids, 6 mm bullet-shaped media, 10 mm pyramids, and 10–80 mm TET media. Confirm the upper size limit and current mold availability for the particular shape before ordering. Custom dimensions require an agreed mold and specification.
5. Which shapes are shown?
The range shown includes cones, pyramids, tetrahedrons, paraboloids, tri-stars, lenses, elongated nipple shapes, and triangles. Choose a shape around surface access, circulation, lodging, and separation requirements; no shape guarantees that it will avoid every hole or recess.
6. What is plastic tumbling media?
Plastic tumbling media are resin-bonded finishing bodies containing selected abrasives. They can be assessed for suitable deburring and smoothing applications. Compare the required finish with ceramic media or another grade using the actual workpiece, machine, and process.
7. What are the media made of?
The products described here use polyester resin and abrasive materials. Composition and abrasive content depend on the grade; one resin-to-abrasive ratio should not be applied to the entire range. Request the current specification where composition, density, or downstream compatibility matters.
8. Which finishing operations can be assessed?
Assess suitable deburring, edge rounding, smoothing, and surface preparation applications. Cleaning and polishing need their own media, compound, and process choices. Define roughness, appearance, cleanliness, and tolerances before testing. A smooth sample is not automatically ready for plating or anodizing.
9. How do the media finish a part?
The machine moves media and workpieces into repeated contact, allowing abrasive grades to act on accessible surfaces. Grade, shape, size, load, water and compound conditions, and time affect the result. Use an approved process and inspect the finished part against its specification.
10. How should shape and size be selected?
Compare the new and worn media dimensions with holes, slots, and recesses. Check contact with the required surfaces and confirm separation. A larger shape is not automatically faster, and a smaller shape is not automatically gentler. Establish performance with representative samples.
11. Which finishing machines can use plastic media?
Assess compatibility with the selected mass finishing machine. Suitable configurations may include rotary barrels, vibratory systems, centrifugal discs, and centrifugal barrels. Check loading, operating requirements, media dimensions, and separation for the specific model.
12. Which applications can be assessed?
Applications include suitable metal components for general manufacturing, jewelry, and surface preparation. Evaluate the actual part, production workflow, and finish specification when selecting the media and process.
13. Which workpieces are suitable?
Aluminum, brass, copper, zinc castings, and other workpieces may require different grades and settings. Delicate or thin parts need checks for contact damage, excessive edge rounding, and dimensional change. Material alone does not establish suitability.
14. How should plastic media be compared with alternatives?
Compare burr removal, roughness, appearance, dimensions, cleanliness, media wear, contact risk, separation, and complete cycle time. Use the same representative parts and acceptance criteria. Plastic media do not guarantee damage-free processing or a specific roughness value.
15. How long do plastic media last?
Wear depends on grade, machine, workpiece, loading, compound, and operating conditions. Inspect dimensions and remove broken or unsuitable pieces. Record consumption and replenish the load as required by the validated process. Investigate changes in cutting or cycle time.
16. What affects the price?
Grade, shape, size, quantity, packaging, and any custom mold requirements affect the quotation. Provide the required specification and shipment details so Inovatec can quote a defined product. Compare operating consumption as well as the purchase price.
17. What should a selection trial measure?
Agree on burr removal, edge radius, roughness, appearance, cleanliness, and dimensional limits. Check circulation, contact damage, media lodging, wear, separation, and downstream compatibility. Avoid a universal mixing ratio when combining media sizes; establish the actual load through testing.
18. Which cutting grades are shown?
The range shown includes medium cutting, fast cutting, light cutting, ultra-fine cutting, and the Z1 series. Confirm the grade specification and compare performance under the intended process conditions. Density or a grade name alone does not establish the finish or service life.