According to Thomas Net:
Deburring is the removal of edges, burrs and fins from a metal or, less frequently, wood part. On unfinished metal materials, deburring is accomplished by placing the part in a revolving or vibrating container holding various abrasives. Other, more costly finishing methods (such as vibratory finishing, belt sanding, repetitive filing and hand abrading, are performed on finished parts.
Burrs are sharp-edged disfigurations produced by certain machining processes, such as stamping, cutting and punching. Typically, they take the form of thin fins on the edge of a work piece, although the nature of these protrusions is dependant upon the nature of the machining process. Welding, molding, trimming and shearing can also lead to burrs that require removal.
Deburring is a prerequisite for a number of other processes, such as electroplating, and powder coating, since it allows for uniform application of the finishing material. For many processes, this prevents eventual cracking and failure of the surface coat. The deburring procedure also enhances the aesthetic quality of the material, as well as reducing the risk of injury associated with rough or sharp edges. In the case of most moving parts, deburring is absolutely essential, since it promotes smooth, uniform movement.
Some of the tools used in deburring are wire wheels, grinding machines, files and abrasive cloths. In large scale operations dealing with unfinished parts, rotating barrels or vibrating bowls containing a mix of abrasives and liquid are used to deburr metals. Electrochemical, chemical and electric burr removal processes are also used, the selection of which varies based on the application. Blasting techniques, thermal deburring and flexible abrasive brush deburring methods are also options.
Robotic deburring tools remove burrs and flashing by various end-line machining operations. These tools generally use plated or coated tungsten carbide cutting and machining edges to properly finish materials. Equipment manufacturers produce a wide range of custom and standard automation systems.
A deburring tool is a cutting tool having a fluted, stepped body on one end and a straight shank, usually round with a squared drive, on the other end. In operation, the smaller portion of the body is inserted in the tube, until the blades contact the edges of the tube, and rotated with a T-handle tap wrench, or the like to remove the burrs from the inside and outside edges.
