The Cascade System automated finishing centres rely on a unique, patented process that combines a controlled "cascade" of media with high-frequency vibration to consistently remove burrs and other blemishes.

Parts to be finished are first manually or robotically loaded into the unit, where they are held firmly in place by simple custom-designed fixtures. The unit then rapidly oscillates the pieces at a 5mm stroke while a "cascade" of media and liquid cleaning compound is introduced and directed to flow around and through the parts.

Of course, as parts are fixed to a back plate, they are not allowed to come into contact with one another, avoiding distortion and heavy impaction.

As the workload oscillates, the media inside each part is impacted by the part's internal surfaces. This dynamic process creates rapid vibrations within the media as energy is repeatedly transferred from the part to the media, and the result is rapid, predictable burr removal and edge radius generation. The same process takes place on the external surfaces of the part, and, at the same time, all surfaces are further cleaned by the liquid constituent in the media.

Since the machinery only vibrates the components and fixture, and not the whole mass including the media, energy transfer is more effective and therefore the process is comparably faster than Orbo-resonant machines. It also means that with media feed rates, oscillation rates and strokes being controllable, results are therefore, in turn, controllable.

Unlike Orbo-resonant processes, Cascade works effectively with large and heavy parts. Unlike Abrasive Flow Machining, Cascade is not limited to exotic applications due to high consumable costs and low operating speeds.

In the end, even the most intricate internal passageways have smoother, cleaner surfaces than can be accomplished with conventional finishing technologies.

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