Abstract

During the finishing of cast aluminum components, metal flashes are eliminated with manual pneumatic tools such as belt sanders. This deflashing operation generates noise levels of the order of 100-110 dB(A). The researchers identified acoustic radiation of the aluminum components as the most important single contributor to noise generation and conducted laboratory trials of various possible solutions. The solution they adopted consists of inserting a pre-moulded form made of a polyurethane-foam-based waterproof material in the workpiece, and placing the filled workpiece in a plywood box covered by a damping material. The box is then placed on an articulated support which allows the worker to orient the workpiece as needed without having to handle it directly. Because the entire system can be produced in-house, the solution can be implemented at a very reasonable cost, even in SMEs.