Tracking
Sign in Get Instant Quote

Finishing Services

Tumbling

At a glance

Applicable Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Stainless Steel

Colors

n/a

Texture

Slightly rounded edges, smooth, slightly matte finish, does not hide all machine marks

Can be applied with

Any finish

About the Process

Tumbling is a finishing process that is used to clean, deburr, and slightly smooth smaller parts. Tumbling uses a horizontal drum where parts are placed, along with a media, such as sand or ceramic chips. The drum rotates slowly, causing the media to slide repeatedly over the parts, breaking any sharp edges and lightly smoothing the surface. Tumbling is fairly inexpensive due to the small amount of manual labor involved to run the process.

Design considerations

  • Because parts cannot be masked prior to tumbling, consider adding features such as threads and engravings after this process.
  • Tumbling is a rough process, so parts with thin features are not ideal for this finishing option.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN

Producing Show-Quality Mockups for CES 2025: Top Manufacturing Processes to Elevate Your Prototypes

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the ultimate stage to showcase innovative technology and futuristic designs. High-quality mockups are essential to captivate an audience and stand out in the crowded exhibition halls. Whether you’re unveiling groundbreaking consumer tech or sleek new designs, the manufacturing process you choose for your prototypes can make or break your […]

Learn More

Medical Device Manufacturer Uses Fictiv to Clear 18-month Backlog in 4 Months

Medical Device Manufacturer Uses Fictiv to Clear 18-month Backlog in 4 Months

Learn More