Robotic Drag Finishers

The Bel Air AutoHone™ is a robotic honing and polishing machine that employs Bel Air’s tried-and-true reverse drag finishing technology, also known in the industry as stream finishing. In the reverse drag finishing process, the machine moves the media, rather than the work pieces, at a high rate of speed. This motion causes the media to “stream” across the workpiece. When the stream hits the workpiece, it produces a high-energy “wave”, much like an ocean wave. This process, when coupled with the infinite degree of part articulation provided by the six-axis robotic arm, allows for a complete, even, and repeatable process that neither hand finishing nor other types of equipment are able to achieve.

This method has 50-70x shorter cycle times than standard drag finishing for tool honing or polishing. For some parts, process times as short as five seconds are possible. The AutoHone™ allows for a completely automated process requiring virtually no operator involvement. The standard model is pictured here. This setup is great for deburring and polishing, and is used frequently, but not limited to these industries: pharmaceutical, medical, jewelry and aerospace.