In the production of firearms, functionality is the top priority. The main focus is on burr-free workpieces with smooth surfaces that ensure a high level of operational reliability. The feel of the weapon plays a particularly important role, especially with handguns: firearms should sit comfortably in the hand.
The manufacture of Ammunition is a highly interlinked process in which different surface treatment methods must be applied after each forming step, from punching to final assembly. That is why we keep a close eye on the entire process chain, from the blank to the finished cartridge, and provide our customers with solutions from a single source.
Many moving parts of firearms – such as the guide rails, the safety catch, the trigger guard, the magazine, the magazine well and the magazine release – are milled. The resulting burrs must be removed, and edges must be rounded off in specific places. This ensures that the components function smoothly under all circumstances – even if, for example, a grain of sand gets trapped between the slide and the slide housing.
This applies in particular to workpieces with chamfers, where the milled edges are not only chamfered but also specifically rounded. The reason for this is that the individual components of the firearm must not fit too tightly. Edge rounding ensures that the firearm continues to function reliably even when it is dirty. Furthermore, the firearm can be drawn quickly from its holster and sits comfortably in the hand.
Most workpieces are made of high-strength, high-temperature-resistant materials. This is where our circular vibratory finishing machines prove their worth. The new TX Finisher, in particular, achieves very short machining times.
Walther Trowal is one of the few companies to offer a comprehensive surface treatment solution for Ammunition production, from the blank to the finished cartridge: Machinery, consumables and process water technology are perfectly coordinated – ensuring efficient operations and high-quality finished Ammunition.
Ammunition: Seamlessly integrated into the process
Circular vibratory finishing machine – one for everything
Drawing on experience gained from supplying more than a hundred machines to the Ammunition industry, our experts at Walther Trowal seamlessly integrate surface treatment into the forming process during Ammunition production.
In the individual process steps, they are used for
- Degreasing
- pickling
- washing
- drying
- passivation
- Coating
In the manufacture of Ammunition, blanks are first punched from brass coils and deep-drawn into cups. These are then used – again by deep-drawing – to produce the cartridge cases. After each stage of the process, the surface of the cartridge cases – which are produced step by step – must be treated to ensure the reliable functioning of the Ammunition.
Walther Trowal’s circular vibratory finishing machines have proven their worth for all processes between the forming stages. They perform cleaning, drying and passivation of the surfaces of the blanks, cups and cartridge cases between the individual forming steps.
Ammunition: Superior surface quality
Safety through finish
Some projectiles for specialised applications are also coated with a lubricating varnish to ensure they can be pressed reliably into the cartridge case. Walther Trowal also supplies the right machine for this task: the Rotamat machines.
The projectiles are fed in batches into the rotating hot drum, where they are sprayed with lacquer. There, the parts roll over one another, mixing thoroughly in the process, and repeatedly enter the spray nozzle area in different orientations – ensuring a uniform coating thickness.
Our experts in machinery and consumables will find the right solution for your specific application! Please feel free to get in touch directly or use the contact form.
Bruno Andreas Barbeitos Helfrich
H.J. Helfrich Comércio e Equipamentos Lda
h.j.helfrich@sapo.pt
