Importance of Deburring in Steel Fabrication

April 4th, 2020

Deburring is an essential process required in steel fabrication. The rough and sharp edges of the steel can be problematic. They won’t just cause an injury, but won't make the structure look like a perfectly finished one with accurate surfaces. No one wants a steel structure with burrs. The burrs would be an interruption when clamping or positioning the steel onto other materials. So, the deburring process helps to remove the burrs created during the manufacturing or machining process. 


Deburring has been used for metals since the 1980s, but people developed a new laser cutting technique, which cut the steel clearly without burring. But eventually, the metals cut by the laser have sharp edges. So the deburring process has to be used against sharp edges and burred areas in steel fabrication.


What Deburring Means?


Burr is a rough edge or ridge on the steel surface. This burr can be problematic for the steel, so it is removed with the help of the deburring process by rounding the edges. There are many tools and machines available in the market for the deburring process that you can use. The grinding process is also used for deburring the steel, or nowadays, you can use the automated deburring machines. You can use any process amongst the two during the steel fabrication process. 


Here in this post, we are stating some importance of the deburring that will make you understand why it is necessary.


Prevents Injuries


For a company or business to work efficiently, the most critical part is the workforce. You cannot put the people working for you at risk, and for that, they too have to work accordingly. For it, you have to conduct the deburring process. Instruct the workers to inspect the metal during the steel fabrication process for any burrs. The burrs can cause injury to your workers, and the rough and sharp edges can cause cuts to the flesh. The workers have to handle and assemble the steel, so while conducting the work, the workers can suffer from serious cuts. And you can’t put the workers at risk. 


The finished steel products can cause injuries to other metals with which steel is being assembled. As the finished product is assembled and positioned with other parts, the sharp and rough edges can scratch other materials. Even after steel fabrication, when finished products are stacked with other materials, there are high chances of the neighbouring parts being scratched.


Aesthetic Look


The purpose of steel fabrication is to bend the steel into the desired shape and size. The steel is not fabricated into any shape, but indeed it is fabricated to make it look aesthetically pleasing. So the people can use it comfortably at the desired place. The deburring process not only removes the rough ridges and sharp edges of the steel, but it also gives the impression to the customers. The steel would look pleasing to the eye. So this way, the deburring process also gives a pleasant finishing to the steel.


Paint Adhesion


After the steel fabrication process, when the steel is ready, sometimes it is necessary to paint it. The steel is coated with the paint according to the need. So when the ridges are rough and have sharp edges, then the paint will not adhere well to the steel. The paint will start to flake off, leading to corrosion. But when the edges are appropriately rounded, and every inch is deburred, it will surely help the paint to adhere well with the steel. The deburred steel is crucial for construction and agriculture machinery, as the deburred steel is considered to be the best component with corrosion prevention. So round edges are crucial in the deburring process as they help steel to survive for longer times.


Oxide Removal


The steel parts should not have an oxide layer on them. When the steel is made to go through the laser cutting process, it leaves behind an oxide layer on the surface of the steel. The oxide layer on the surface is considered to have a negative impact. The oxide layer can make any coating to flake off, leaving rust patches behind on the surface. The steel in the matter to attach with other metals or items have to be welded. While the oxide layer on the steel can be a hurdle. The oxide layer on the surface of steel can prevent welding from having a clear result. The oxide layer can be removed with the deburring process. But only by using special deburring tools, the removal of the oxide layer is possible. But no matter what way you use, the removal of the oxide layer is critical.


Added Protection


When using a steel material, the main concern of any individual is that the steel should stand strong against the wear and tear for a longer span of time. The deburring process helps make material steel durable and stronger to stand against the wear and tear. When the steel is deburred during the steel fabrication process, all the rough ridges and sharp edges are removed, giving the steel a smooth finishing. Deburred steel is all cleaned, and it is easier to assemble, position, and paint the steel. The coated and furnished steel is able to withstand the wear and tear. Burrs on steel can also lead to damage to the other parts positioned with it. The deburring process removes all such potential threats and gives strong and durable steel.


The post would have helped you immensely to know how essential the deburring process is during the steel fabrication. To make the steel live long without giving many problems, you will have to make it go through the deburring process. Check every steel material and is it deburred properly or not. Eventually, instruct your workers too to do so.


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