ECO-Maxi

The ECO-Maxi, first introduced in Basel, represents a whole new machine concept: the world's first single machine capable of three different processing sequences.

• magnetic polishing
• wet processing
• dry polishing

Magnetic polishing

Magnetic polishing is a mechanical polishing method that largely replaces the traditional electrolytic polishing bath.

Advantages of this method:

• polishing is possible even in hard-to-reach areas such as filigree areas and blind holes or drill holes
• complete removal of residual embedded mass and oxide discoloration
• simple mechanical procedure requiring only stainless steel pins, water, and a surfactant solution

Wet processing

Wet processing in the ECO-Maxi works according to the principle of disk centrifugal force and serves, for example, to remove casting skin or emery traces prior to polishing.

Advantages of this method:

• very short processing times (max. 4-5 hrs.)
• surfaces produced are clean, very smooth, and easy to polish
• open process, pieces can be removed from the process for inspection at any time

Dry polishing

Dry polishin in the ECO-Maxi works according to the disk centrifugal force principle and is intended for high-gloss polishing. The goal here is to achieve the same quality as in hand polishing.

Advantages of this method:

• hand-polished quality can be achieved
• no hardening of surface during polishing
• open process, pieces can be removed from the process for inspection at any time

An example of processing:

Chosen as an example of processing were silver rings (alloy 925) from which the coupon has been removed after casting, and which have subsequently been filed and ground (granulation 320). Some 200 g of these rings were magnetically polished in the ECO-Maxi with the primary goal of achieving luster in the setting for the stone, since a satisfactory result cannot be achieved in this area with the other processes (wet processing, dry polishing).

For magnetic polishing, the Plexiglas vessel is placed on the ECO-Maxi. The vessel is affixed to the base machine by means of a bayonet catch and can easily be removed by turning 30°. Now approx. 160 g of stainless steel pins are poured into the vessel and the vessel is filled with water to approx. 6 cm deep. Then approx. 0.1 liter of compound SC 4 is added, along with the work pieces. The machine is then preset for a processing time of 30 min. The machine starts automatically, the speed is set at 1800 rpm. The direction of rotation changes every 10 minutes to ensure evenly distributed processing. When the preset time is up, the work pieces are removed from the vessel. The piece now has a recognizable shine.

After magnetic polishing, the silver rings are wet-processed. For work pieces that have not been cleaned, this is generally done in 2 steps. First, the magnetic polishing vessel is removed and the wet processing vessel is attached. The machine automatically recognizes the vessel and sets the speed to wet processing. A water supply vessel is filled with water and compound (approx. 1.25 liters of SC 5). The pump supplying the working vessel with the mixture of water and compound is placed in the supply vessel. In the first step of the process, PO 10 plastic abrasives are added (fill quantity approx. 3 kg) These abrasives are extremely abrasive, and yet achieve a relatively smooth surface The processing time is set for 3 hrs.

For these rings, which weigh about 6 g, a speed of 240 rpm is selected. Delivery of the water/compound mixture is regulated directly by a pressure valve on the working vessel so that a thin stream flows out. Once the set time has elapsed, the machine switches off automatically. The vessel is removed and the work pieces removed by sieve or by hand. Lastly, the abrasives are changed.

In the second step of the process, work is done with extremely fine grinding KX 10 plastic abrasives. These radically smooth the surface so that subsequent polishing can be performed quickly and result in a high-gloss polish. These abrasives are also suited for the wet processing of zirconium jewelry. In principle, processing is done as in the first step of the process, however, now a process time of 1 hr. is set. After this processing session, the work pieces are carefully cleaned by ultrasound so that, among other things, no residue from the abrasives is carried over into the polishing process.

For dry polishing, the working vessel is changed once more. The machine again automatically recognizes the vessel and sets the speed to dry processing. For this process, as well, work is completed in two steps. In the first step, a somewhat coarse walnut granulate is used. Coarse granulate, due to its size and weight, can exercise a greater pressing force on the surface of the work piece than a very fine-grained granulate, such as H11500. It is nonetheless clear that the finer-grain granulate has more points of contact and thus a greater contact surface. This is why the work pieces can be brought to absolute high-gloss with a fine-grained granulate like H1/500.

The granulate H1/100 is poured into the working vessel (fill quantity approx. 2.2 kg). The processing time is set to about 2.5 hours and the speed to 220 rpm. First, one measuring cup of P 6 polishing paste is added directly to the flow. The work pieces may be added in a few seconds, when the polishing paste is evenly distributed. When the processing time has elapsed, the working vessels are removed, the content of the vessel is dumped into a sieve and the work pieces are sifted out. First, the working vessel is re-attached and the very fine-grain H1/500 walnut granulate added. Again, polishing paste is added; this time, however, half a measuring cup suffices. Processing time is set for 30 min. The speed is set again at 220 rpm. When the processing time has ended, the working vessel is removed and the work pieces are removed by sieve. The result is high-quality polished rings with a high gloss.

Conclusion

Production costs can be substantially reduced through the use of disc centrifugal force machines. More and more jewelry makers, even smaller operations, are finding this indispensable. The ECO-Maxi, with its magnetic polishing function, offers consumers the first device capable of fulfilling this function while also performing mechanical polishing within filigreed areas and small internal spaces. Its ingenious design makes for an extremely attractive price. For these and many other reasons, the ECO-Maxi is a must-have for every jewelry-maker s workshop.