Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Non-manual buffing of stainless steel kitchenware

I request you to inform me about any process used to buff the stainless steel utensils other than the manual process. I wish to obtain the same lustre and smoothness as obtained in the manual process. Please inform me whether it can be done by electrolysis process and if yes how should I go about it ?

Regards,

P. Kishore Kumar
Manufacturer - Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
2004

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I think you'd be on the wrong track trying to do this electrolytically. What you need, in my estimate, is automatic buffing heads or robotic buffing machines.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004

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Ted is probably right on this; however, there are mass finishing systems that can achieve similar results. Then again, cost per piece is determined by the existing vs final surface finish and is a product of time and materials. The automated system may cost more initially than the mass finishing system, but it will be less in the long run.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2004

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Mass finishing is a possible solution but then the time taken to get a finish similar to buffing will be very high. It may require about 3-4 steps. Cost is another factor.

Regards,

Niranjan Kulkarni
- New York
2004