Extrude Hone’s latest process technology represents an innovation that will revolutionize electrolytic (EC) surface finishing. The new CoolPulse electrolytic process performs five key functions—deburrs, polishes, stress relieves, cleans and passivates (i.e., free-iron particle removal)—all in one finishing process. Best of all, CoolPulse is a highly cost-effective finishing solution for both high-volume and low-volume production runs. It produces higher quality and more precise results without the need of additional processing or close-tolerance conformal tooling. Along with its exceptional precision and cleanliness capabilities, CoolPulse is also environment friendly.
Unlike conventional electrolytic deburring and polishing processes, CoolPulse is geared more toward smaller, narrow, or thin workpieces, rather than large workpieces or panels, making it an ideal finishing solution for the medical, scientific, semi-conductor, lead frame, and automotive component industries.
Our CoolPulse process features a single, proprietary electrolyte solution that is able to treat and process many different metals. The liquid bath used in the CoolPulse process is a chilled, non-fuming, odorless and near neutral pH solution, rendering it very safe for handling and the environment. The solution possesses a high electrical resistance, enabling very high selectivity and discrimination in the removal of burrs, irregular edges, and surface peaks. While CoolPulse is optimized for edge effect and conditioning, substantial surface finish and cleanliness improvements are a natural by-product of the process. In fact, CoolPulse routinely produces bright, mirror-like, finishes on stainless steel and bright to matte finishes on aluminum as well as other materials.
The CoolPulse bath solution rarely, if ever, requires changing, a mere topping off retains its effectiveness during use. The CoolPulse process automatically circulates the solution through filters to extract any metal hydroxides to renew its functionality. As a result, manufacturers do not incur substantial costs for additional solution or for waste disposal.
According to Jim Koroskenyi, Managing Director of Extrude Hone’s Electrolytic Business Unit, CoolPulse signifies an exciting time in the field of electrochemical processing. “The new CoolPulse process takes a significant step forward in polishing, burr removal, and high quality surface finishing without pricing it out of reach of small manufacturers, particularly those with low-volume production. CoolPulse is a highly reliable and stable process that achieves edge and surface finishing and cleanliness results well-beyond those attainable through existing processes.�
Many manufacturers find they can run drilling, milling, EDM, and laser cutting operations much faster because the CoolPulse process does an excellent job of burr and sharp edge conditioning as a fast, economical secondary operation. CoolPulse frees up primary capital equipment to do what they do best, rough and semi-finish workparts. In many cases, the payback period of a CoolPulse machine is as low as six to twelve months due to productivity improvements of primary equipment.
CoolPulse machines are available in a range of sizes and power capacities to suite your individual manufacturing needs and budgets. CoolPulse processing is also available as a contract finishing service through our Extrude Hone Contract Finishing Service Centers worldwide.
