CNC Metal Spun Stainless Steel Vibratory Bowls & Centrifugal Discs

1. Industry Background and Technical Challenge

In the automation equipment sector, components used in material feeding and sorting systems must meet extremely stringent requirements for dimensional accuracy, structural integrity, wear resistance, and operational stability.

The client is a well-established automation equipment manufacturer whose automated sorting systems are widely deployed in:

• Electronics manufacturing
• Automotive components production
• Medical device assembly

The vibratory bowl feeders and centrifugal feeder discs are mission-critical components responsible for efficient, continuous, and orderly part feeding.

Previously, these components were manufactured using conventional:

• Sheet metal stamping
• Multi-segment welding assembly

This fabrication approach resulted in several critical technical limitations:

Dimensional and Structural Issues

• Large diameter discs (≥ 800 mm) exhibited distortion and poor roundness
• Diameter tolerance deviation: ±0.5 mm
• Excessive axial runout: ≥ 0.1 mm
• Resulting in material jamming and inconsistent feeding performance

Structural Reliability Issues

• Weld seams introduced stress concentration points
• Fatigue cracking under continuous vibration conditions
• Reduced service life

Surface Quality Issues

• Surface roughness: Ra ≥ 1.6 μm
• Increased friction and risk of scratching sensitive components
• Negative impact on product quality

The client required an advanced manufacturing solution capable of improving:

• Dimensional accuracy
• Structural strength
• Surface finish
• Operational reliability
• Service life

CNC metal spinning was identified as the optimal manufacturing process.

2. Selected Solution: Custom CNC Metal Spun Stainless Steel Vibratory Bowls and Centrifugal Discs

KMS manufactured custom seamless components using precision CNC metal spinning technology.

Vibratory Bowls

• Diameters: Ø600 mm, Ø800 mm, Ø1000 mm
• Wall thickness: 6 mm
• Integrated precision-formed spiral feeding track
• Seamless monolithic structure

Centrifugal Discs

• Diameters: Ø500 mm, Ø700 mm, Ø900 mm
• Wall thickness: 6 mm
• Precision flat spinning profile
• High geometric stability

Material Specification

• Material: AISI 304 Stainless Steel (Equivalent: EN 1.4301 / 06Cr19Ni10)
• Tensile strength: ≥ 520 MPa
• Yield strength: ≥ 205 MPa
• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Fully compliant with GB/T 3280-2015 and international stainless steel standards

Surface Finish

• Mirror polishing (8K finish) on feeding tracks
• Satin brushed finish on exterior surfaces
• Surface roughness:
  Ra ≤ 0.2 μm (feeding track)
  Ra ≤ 0.4 μm (overall surface)

3. Core Manufacturing Process: Precision CNC Metal Spinning Workflow

3.1 Raw Material Selection and Blank Preparation

• Certified AISI 304 stainless steel plates selected
• Ultrasonic testing (UT) performed to ensure absence of internal defects
• CNC plasma cutting with tolerance control:
  ±0.1 mm cutting accuracy
• Blank leveling to eliminate residual stress and warpage
  

3.2 CNC Metal Spinning Forming

Manufactured using large-capacity dual-roller CNC metal spinning machines.

Vibratory Bowl Forming

• Spiral feeding tracks formed integrally during spinning
• Precise control of:
  • Track pitch
  • Track height
  • Geometry consistency

Centrifugal Disc Forming

• Flat spinning process ensures excellent flatness and dimensional stability

Process control parameters:

• Roller pressure
• Feed rate
• Tool path optimization

Achieved dimensional accuracy:

Diameter tolerance: ±0.2 mm

3.3 Precision CNC Turning and Calibration

Post-spinning precision machining includes:

• CNC turning of edges and critical interfaces
• Axial runout correction and calibration
• Precision finishing of spiral feeding tracks

Final axial runout achieved:

≤ 0.03 mm

3.4 Surface Finishing and Corrosion Protection

Multi-stage surface finishing process:

• Mirror polishing (8K finish) on feeding tracks
• Uniform satin brushing on external surfaces
• Chemical passivation treatment

Benefits:

• Improved corrosion resistance
• Reduced friction coefficient
• Enhanced wear resistance
• Cleanroom compatibility
  

3.5 Dimensional Inspection and Performance Testing

Comprehensive quality assurance procedures include:

Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) inspection

• Diameter accuracy verification
• Track geometry inspection
• Runout measurement

Surface Roughness Testing

• Precision profilometer measurement

Dynamic Vibration Testing

Test conditions:

• Frequency: 50–500 Hz
• Amplitude: 0.5–2 mm
• Continuous operation: 72 hours

Results:

• No deformation
• No cracking
• No structural fatigue

Salt Spray Corrosion Testing

• 240-hour salt spray exposure
• No corrosion or discoloration
  

4. KMS Metal Spinning Technical Advantages

Exceptional Dimensional Precision

Achieved tolerances:

• Diameter tolerance: ±0.2 mm
• Axial runout: ≤ 0.03 mm

Compared to welded structures:

• 60% improvement in dimensional accuracy
• Significantly improved feeding reliability

Seamless Monolithic Structure — Superior Structural Strength

Metal spinning produces seamless components without weld joints.

Advantages:

• 30% higher structural strength vs welded assemblies
• Improved fatigue resistance
• Superior vibration resistance
• No weld-induced weak zones

Service life:

Up to 8 years continuous operation
2× longer than welded components

Superior Surface Quality and Wear Resistance

Mirror-polished feeding tracks:

Ra ≤ 0.2 μm

Benefits:

• Eliminates material scratching
• Improves feeding efficiency
• Ideal for precision components:
  • Electronics
  • Medical devices
  • Precision mechanical parts

Flexible Custom Manufacturing Capability

Supported specifications:

• Diameter range: 500 mm to 1000 mm
• Feeding track optimized for parts as small as Ø2 mm
• Low minimum order quantity: 50 units

Advantages over stamping:

• No expensive tooling required
• 30% reduction in tooling costs
• 40% faster production lead time
  

5. Quality Validation and Performance Results

Dimensional Inspection Results

CMM verification confirmed:

• Diameter tolerance: ≤ 0.15 mm
• Axial runout: ≤ 0.02 mm
• Track geometry consistency: 99.8%

Fully compliant with customer technical requirements.

Operational Performance Testing

Test conditions:

• Frequency: 300 Hz
• Amplitude: 1 mm
• Continuous operation: 72 hours

Results:

• No deformation
• No vibration instability
• No feeding interruption
• Feeding efficiency improved by 20%

Electronic components (Ø5 mm) showed:

• Zero surface damage
• 100% acceptable quality rate

Corrosion Resistance Validation

Salt spray test:

• 240 hours exposure
• No corrosion
• No oxidation
• No surface degradation

Suitable for:

• Industrial environments
• Cleanroom applications
• Medical manufacturing environments

Material Verification

Spectrographic analysis confirmed:

• Full compliance with AISI 304 specification

Measured tensile strength:

550 MPa

Suitable for long-term vibration and cyclic loading environments.

6. Customer Problems Successfully Resolved

Eliminated Material Jamming and Improved Feeding Efficiency

Precision metal spinning and mirror-polished tracks:

• Eliminated dimensional deviation issues
• Reduced friction and resistance
• Improved feeding efficiency by 20%
• Reduced equipment failure rate by 35%

Increased Structural Strength and Service Life

Seamless spun construction:

• Eliminated weld fatigue failure
• Increased structural strength by 30%
• Extended service life to 8 years

Reduced:

• Maintenance costs
• Downtime losses

Eliminated Surface Damage to Sensitive Components

Ultra-smooth mirror-polished surfaces:

Ra ≤ 0.2 μm

Fully compatible with precision industries:

• Electronics
• Medical devices
• Semiconductor components

Improved final product quality.

Reduced Manufacturing Cost and Improved Production Flexibility

Compared to stamping and welding:

• 30% reduction in tooling cost
• 40% shorter production cycle
• Flexible low-volume production

Ideal for automation equipment manufacturers with multi-model product lines.