Our New Sintrax 50 SBP Machine

We recently took delivery of our new Sintrax deburring machine, the 50 SBP, got it installed, and after running it non-stop for a couple of days, it’s already proving its value.

The 50 SBP runs on a 50-inch belt and is designed to handle a wide range of parts. One of the most useful features is how the bed is split between a vacuum table and a magnetic section using rare earth magnets. That setup allows us to run larger parts using suction, while still being able to handle smaller steel components on the magnetic side. It gives us a lot more flexibility compared to what we were doing before, especially with the variety of parts we produce.

After getting everything set up, we had Brendan (who’s been with us for five years and handles a lot of our waterjet, laser, and programming work) start running parts through it. After a couple of full days of use, his take was pretty straightforward: it’s easily an 8 or 9 out of 10 in terms of improving overall shop efficiency. Nothing is perfect, and we’ve already started to notice some wear on the magnetic side of the belt, but the time savings alone make a huge difference.

Once you understand the workflow, the machine itself is pretty simple to run. You measure your part thickness, input slightly under that value, and let the machine automatically position the table. From there, you turn on the sanding belt, buffing wheels, and feed system, and it takes care of the rest. Each part goes through sanding, buffing, and polishing in a single pass and comes out finished on the other side in about 15 seconds. Seeing a raw cut part go in and come out clean and consistent that quickly is a big step forward for us.

We’ve already started dialing in how we use it to get the most out of the machine. For example, we run the rougher side of the part first to help extend belt life. Aluminum parts also require more attention since they have a higher coefficient of friction against the sanding belt, which means we need to rely more on the vacuum side to keep them stable. Smaller parts can be tricky as well, so positioning and how we cut them in the first place is starting to evolve to better suit the machine.

That’s been one of the biggest takeaways so far. Bringing in a machine like this doesn’t just improve your process, it forces you to refine everything around it. Even small changes in how parts are cut or handled can make a noticeable difference in performance and consistency.

Of course, there are some realities that come with equipment like this that don’t always get talked about. The dust collection system is a big one. It’s constantly pulling in dust and debris, which means it’s loud, takes up space, and is absolutely necessary to keep everything running properly. On top of that, the installation itself isn’t as simple as just plugging it in. Between electrical work, transformers, and setup, there’s a significant investment required before you even start running parts.

Maintenance and accessibility are also things you have to think about early. We actually had to reposition the machine to make sure we could access the panels and remove the belt properly. After running it for a couple of days straight, we’re already seeing how important that is, especially as components start to wear and need servicing.

Even with those considerations, the impact on our workflow is clear. This machine is going to eliminate a large portion of our manual finishing process, especially when it comes to sandblasting. We’re expecting it to take care of close to 70% of that work, which saves a huge amount of time and allows us to keep everything more consistent from part to part.

Now that it’s fully up and running, the focus shifts to refining how it fits into the rest of our shop. We’re already looking at ways to improve how parts are caught on the outfeed side and how we can make unloading more efficient, especially for smaller components. Like any piece of equipment at this level, it’s not just about having it, it’s about integrating it properly into the entire workflow.

At the end of the day, it’s a big investment, but it’s one that’s already paying off in time savings, consistency, and overall efficiency. And after seeing what it can do in just a couple of days, it’s going to be a key part of how we move forward.