ring and pinion microniting

[69Cobra]

Originally Posted by Signman

Micronite is the name of a company which began in New Jersey then was purchased and made part of the Crane Cams Company which went bankrupt. Those who purchased the cam and ignition products did not buy the metal finishing business.

Micronite had machines constructed (did not purchase machinery) and developed their own processes.
Some or all of Micronite metal finishing machines were purchased by Tommy Lee Performance mentioned above.

The process is called isotropic metal finishing it is not a coating. The advantage over some other processes is that the finish in non directional. The part is tumbled with abrasives of different size, shape and grit, dry or wet. The part and abrasives are loaded in a drum which is loaded in rack with others. The rack rotates while simultaneously the drums rotate in the opposite direction. Speed frequency and time along with the abrasive and fluid are very important as you may imagine the motion creates a homogeneous mixing process.
The object is to remove high spots (peaks) on the metal surface while leaving the low spots (valleys). Little material is actually removed we're talking tens of thousandths, other process are very aggressive. Depending on how many steps in the process the part can end looking like it was chrome plated. When you see the crank shafts at PRI that look chrome plated they were put though an isotropic finishing process.

The high abrasive peaks removed leaving the low lubricant holding valleys. Where metal contacts metal friction and heat is reduced, much of the opportunities for cracks to develop are removed.

Ok... SO if I'm understanding this correctly, this basically the same as the REM or ISF surface finishing which removes the high spots and make everything look all nice and shiny?

[Signman]

Originally Posted by 69Cobra

Ok... SO if I'm understanding this correctly, this basically the same as the REM or ISF surface finishing which removes the high spots and make everything look all nice and shiny?

That's over simplifying but yes.
REM uses a vibrating bowl and is directional, depending on which process is used can be very aggressive in removing material.

Am not knowledgeable on the ISF process.

Isotropic Finishing / Micronite removes very little material.

Back when Micronite was in NJ they were working with Black & Decker on a few things. The one item I heard a lot about was saw blades for framers. New blades were run through the process and tested real world against the same new blades. Where a blade would last a day before dulling the Micronite blade lasted 2 - 3 days. Loosing the industrial business was one of the reasons for their demise.

Quick change rear gears for a race winning circle track car were processed. Betweeen hot lapping before a race the gear ratio was changed before going back out. Where normally the fluid would be extremely hot and gloves needed to handle the gears the job was able to be done with bare hands.