A vibratory finishing machine shakes a bowl or tub filled with parts and abrasive media. The constant rubbing removes burrs, rounds sharp edges and smooths or brightens surfaces of many parts at once. With water and a cleaning compound it also degreases, which makes it the usual way to deburr small machined, pressed and cast parts in batches.
Quick facts
- Main types
- Round bowl, tub (trough), continuous through-feed
- Bowl size
- About 50–1,500 litres
- Media
- Ceramic, plastic, steel, organic (corn cob, walnut)
- Process time
- Minutes to a few hours
- Compound
- Water-based cleaning and rust-protecting liquid
- Separation
- Built-in screen to separate parts from media
Choosing media
| Media | Use |
|---|---|
| Ceramic | Fast cutting, steel and stainless |
| Plastic | Gentle, aluminium and brass |
| Steel | Burnishing and brightening |
| Organic | Drying and polishing |
Good to know
- Media must be bigger or smaller than holes in the parts so it does not get stuck
- Delicate parts may need dividers or a smaller load
- Waste water from compounds needs proper treatment
Need work done on a Vibratory finishing machine?
Post your requirement free. Workshops that take your kind of work see it and get in touch. You only talk to the ones that fit.
Get startedRelated
Related job work
Machines
Questions
- How long does vibratory deburring take?
- From about 20 minutes for light deburring to several hours for heavy burrs or a polished finish.
- Will the media lodge in my parts?
- It can if the media fits holes or slots; choose a media shape and size that cannot enter them.
- Can it polish parts too?
- Yes, with fine media or a second stage using polishing media and compound.
The figures on this page are typical values for guidance, written by Diemeco from standard engineering practice. They are not a specification: confirm grades and properties with the relevant standard or the supplier's mill test certificate, and tolerances with your workshop. Last checked 23 October 2026.