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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Deburrer

💰 $ - $

ManufacturingProductionMachiningQuality Control

🎯 Role Definition

A Deburrer (also known as a Deburring Technician or Finishing Operator) is responsible for removing burrs, flash, sharp edges, and surface imperfections from manufactured parts using manual hand tools, automated deburring equipment, tumblers, vibratory finishers, grinders, and polishing tools. The role requires precision, strong visual and tactile inspection skills, safe work practices, and the ability to read blueprints and work instructions to meet dimensional and cosmetic specifications. Deburrers operate in high-volume production and specialty-manufacturing environments (aerospace, automotive, medical devices, die casting, metal fabrication) and collaborate with quality, production, and maintenance teams to continuously improve finishing processes.

Optimized keywords: deburrer, deburring technician, deburring operator, manual deburring, automated deburring, vibratory finishing, tumbling, surface finishing, finishing operator, metal deburring, polishing, deburring machine, quality inspection.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Machine Operator / Production Operator
  • Finishing or Polishing Technician
  • Assembler or Press Operator

Advancement To:

  • Lead Deburrer / Lead Finishing Technician
  • Quality Inspector / Quality Technician
  • CNC Operator / Machinist (surface-finishing specialization)
  • Production Supervisor / Manufacturing Team Lead
  • Process Improvement Specialist (Lean/CI in finishing)

Lateral Moves:

  • Polisher / Buffing Operator
  • Grinder Operator
  • Surface Treatment Technician (plating, coating, passivation)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform precision manual deburring on machined, cast, or molded components using hand tools (files, scrapers, picks, deburring knives) to remove burrs, sharp edges, flash, and excess material while maintaining part geometry and dimensional tolerances.
  • Operate and set up mechanical deburring equipment including bench grinders, die grinders, rotary tools, pneumatic deburring tools, and handheld power tools to achieve required edge radii and surface conditions.
  • Run and monitor automated deburring systems such as CNC deburring stations, robotic deburring cells, and CNC cutter/brush attachments to ensure consistent part quality and throughput.
  • Load, program, and inspect vibratory finishing machines, tumblers, and centrifugal barrel finishers; select appropriate media and compounds to achieve target surface finish and remove flash.
  • Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, work instructions, and tolerancing notes to determine deburring and finishing requirements per customer and internal specifications.
  • Measure parts using precision instruments—calipers, micrometers, depth gauges, bore gauges, and go/no-go gauges—to verify edge condition, dimensional accuracy, and adherence to surface finish criteria.
  • Perform first-article inspections and in-process quality checks to identify nonconforming parts, document findings, and collaborate with quality engineers to implement corrective actions.
  • Maintain detailed production records, complete job travelers or electronic work orders, record cycle times, production counts, and rejection rates to satisfy traceability and audit requirements.
  • Separate and quarantine defective parts, document defect types and quantities, and escalate complex issues to lead personnel or quality for root-cause analysis.
  • Adjust tooling, fixtures, and machine parameters to optimize deburring outcomes while minimizing part damage and scrap rates; set up jigs and clamps for consistent handling of small or complex geometries.
  • Polish, buff, and finish surfaces to specified Ra or cosmetic standards using buffing wheels, sanding belts, abrasive pads, and polishing compounds for cosmetic and functional finishes.
  • Perform hand-sanding and surface blending on complex contours, holes, and internal passages that require tactile skill and visual inspection to avoid overstock removal.
  • Maintain and change finishing media, abrasive belts/discs, polishing compounds, and tooling; ensure consumables are stocked and used according to specifications.
  • Conduct routine preventive maintenance on deburring equipment and report mechanical issues or wear conditions to maintenance to minimize downtime.
  • Follow lockout/tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, PPE, and other safety procedures to maintain a safe work environment and comply with OSHA and company safety standards.
  • Participate in continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing initiatives—5S, Kaizen events, and process flow optimization—to increase efficiency and reduce waste in deburring operations.
  • Train and mentor new or cross-trained operators on deburring techniques, equipment operation, inspection standards, and safety practices to build team capability.
  • Work cross-functionally with production planning, machining, and quality teams to prioritize parts, handle rush orders, and meet customer delivery commitments.
  • Apply finishing processes to a range of materials (aluminum, steel, stainless, cast iron, titanium, plastics) and adjust technique to material-specific burr characteristics and metallurgical considerations.
  • Maintain a clean, organized workstation; dispose of abrasive media, compounds, and particulate in accordance with environmental and company disposal procedures.
  • Document and suggest process improvements to reduce cycle time, improve surface quality, and lower reject rates; participate in root cause investigations and verification of implemented corrective actions.
  • Operate inspection aids such as microscopes and borescopes for internal feature deburring verification on small or complex parts.
  • Work assigned shifts, including rotating schedules or overtime, to support production demands and meet delivery schedules.
  • Ensure all deburring outputs meet customer, industry-specific, and regulatory standards (e.g., aerospace, medical device), following established quality-control checklists and certifications where applicable.
  • Coordinate with maintenance to request repairs or preventative servicing for vibratory bowls, tumblers, grinders, and automated deburring equipment to ensure continuous production readiness.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in inventory management of abrasives, media, polishing compounds, and spare tooling; flag low-stock items and assist purchasing with reorder suggestions.
  • Support continuous improvement projects by collecting process data, participating in Kaizen/5S events, and trialing new tools or media to improve part finish and reduce cycle time.
  • Help maintain process documentation, standard work instructions, and visual aids for deburring operations to ensure consistency across shifts.
  • Provide cross-training and backup coverage for adjacent finishing processes (polishing, plating prep, passivation) as business needs require.
  • Participate in safety audits, equipment risk assessments, and training refreshers to promote a zero-injury culture.
  • Collaborate with engineering on customer-specific finishing requirements and change requests during prototype and production scaling phases.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Manual deburring with hand tools (files, scrapers, scalpel/knife, deburring picks)
  • Operation and setup of bench grinders, die grinders, pneumatic deburring tools, and rotary tools
  • Experience with vibratory finishing, tumblers, and centrifugal barrel finishing equipment
  • CNC/automated deburring system operation and basic programming or fixturing knowledge
  • Precision measurement and inspection: micrometers, calipers, depth gauges, bore gauges, go/no-go gauges
  • Blueprint and engineering drawing reading, GD&T awareness for edge and surface requirements
  • Surface finishing techniques: sanding, polishing, buffing, blending to specified Ra or cosmetic standards
  • Familiarity with abrasive media selection, polishing compounds, and media maintenance
  • Use of inspection tools such as borescopes, magnifiers, and visual inspection protocols
  • Preventive maintenance and minor troubleshooting for finishing equipment
  • Knowledge of material characteristics (aluminum, steel, stainless, titanium, plastics) and corresponding deburring approaches
  • Safety compliance: lockout/tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, PPE, and hazardous-material handling
  • Recordkeeping and production documentation skills (job travelers, production logs, basic digital systems)
  • Basic computer skills for operators: scanning job orders, entering production counts, accessing work instructions

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and high standards for part quality and surface appearance
  • Strong manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination for fine finishing work
  • Good visual acuity and the ability to focus on repetitive inspection tasks for extended periods
  • Effective communication skills for collaborating with leads, quality, and maintenance teams
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to identify defects and propose corrective actions
  • Time-management and ability to meet production deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
  • Team player who can train others and accept feedback to improve processes
  • Adaptability to changing priorities, production schedules, and new finishing technologies
  • Continuous-improvement orientation (Lean/Kaizen) and willingness to participate in process improvement initiatives
  • Reliability, punctuality, and a strong work ethic for shift-based manufacturing work

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED preferred; demonstrated practical experience in manufacturing finishing accepted.

Preferred Education:

  • Technical certificate or diploma in machining, manufacturing technology, or industrial maintenance.
  • Formal training or certification in surface finishing, quality inspection, or OSHA safety preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Machining / CNC Technology
  • Manufacturing Technology / Industrial Maintenance
  • Metallurgy / Materials Science (beneficial for specialized materials)
  • Quality Assurance / Inspection Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–5 years (entry-level through experienced journeyman roles)

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years of direct deburring, finishing, or polishing experience for general manufacturing roles.
  • 3+ years of specialized deburring (aerospace, medical, precision machining) or automated/CNC deburring experience for advanced roles.
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