Deflashing Thermoset Parts

While thermoplastic and thermoset molded parts may appear similar, one difference between molded parts is that thermoset parts are molded with excess material or “flash”, and must be deflashed after they are molded, whereas thermoplastics are molded without excess flash. Flash is excess molding material needed in thermoset molding to fully form a part and avoid bad or rejected parts. In order to mold a full part, thermosets must be molded with excess material flash, otherwise the part integrity may be jeopardized by shorts, burns or other molding defects. Regardless of whether a molded thermoset part is molded into basic or complex geometries, it will always require a secondary deflash operation. Removing the excess flash can be done in a variety of ways, depending on what is most suitable to the part and volume requirements.

Deflash operations can be performed either manually or automatically with deflashing equipment. Automated deflash equipment can be a batch deflash process where a set amount of parts are put in a tumbling or wheelabrating machine and tumbles the parts to remove flash. Another option for automated deflashing is inline deflash equipment where parts are continuously put on a conveyor and ran through tumbling equipment. For manual processes, operators can remove flash by hand using a cotton or wire mesh glove, or use hand tools such as files or cutters. For higher volume programs, automatic deflash operations can be much more efficient and comfortable on labor.