Cup brushes – different models and their application
Cup brushes are tools for surface treatment and deburring with a plate-like body to which filaments are attached. These rotating brushes are fitted with metal or nylon abrasive fibers and are available in various diameters. Cup brushes are designed for use with sanding tools and have a 5/8″-11″ holder or an integrated shaft for connecting the industrial brush to suitable devices or even machines.
There are many different types of cup brushes. Stocking is an important factor. Wire brushes are best suited for removing burrs and surface preparation on large surfaces. Nylon cup wheels are ideal for light deburring, edge smoothing and general surface finishing. Other applications for cup brushes include the removal of rust, paint and welding scale.
Cup brush with crimped wire
Cup brush in single-row design
Wire cup brushes
When selecting wire brushes, the wire length, filament material and wire type must be specified. The longer the wire length and thickness, the more aggressive the brush. Stainless steel and carbon steel are common trim materials. Carbon steel is more aggressive than stainless steel, but can leave “post-rust” on the workpiece surface. Stainless steel leaves no residue that can oxidize, but these wire brushes are less aggressive than carbon steel brush tools.
As far as the type of wire is concerned, you can choose between crimped or knotted wire brushes. Wire length and material are important, but the type of wire is decisive for abrasiveness and aggressiveness. With crimped brushes, the metal threads support each other better than with straight bristles. Crimped brush tools are more flexible than knotted cup brushes, but crimped brushes are also less aggressive. Knotted wire brushes are therefore recommended for heavy-duty surface treatment and burr removal.
Single-row, double-row and twisted
Knotted cup brushes are available in single-row, double-row and twisted versions. Single-row, knotted brushes are used to remove burrs, welding scale, paint and rust as well as for edge rounding and surface preparation. Double-row cup brushes in knotted design enable large areas to be cut and cleaned quickly. Both single-row and double-row brushes are equipped with loosely twisted bristle ends for greater flexibility.
Cup brush in double-row design
Cup brush in twisted version
In contrast, the twisted, knotted cup brushes have wide, tightly twisted ends that allow for more aggressive brushing. Applications for these cup brushes include the removal of heavy burrs, surface preparation and surface finishing. Like other types of wire cup brushes, these tools for surface finishing and deburring are available in various diameters and with a hole for attachment to grinding tools and equipment.
Abrasive nylon cup brushes
As a full-service provider of surface treatment solutions, we also offer cup brushes with abrasive nylon filaments. They are available with aluminum oxide or silicon carbide abrasives in a variety of grit sizes. Abrasive nylon cup brushes are an alternative to steel wire brushes for applications such as light deburring, edge smoothing and general surface finishing. Abrasive nylon cup brushes can be used both manually and with automated equipment, including CNC machines. Some of these brushes are available in different diameters and have a 5/8″-11″ threaded hole. Others have an integrated shaft for use with manual sanding tools and machines. Always observe the maximum safe free speed (MSFS) during use.
Abrasive nylon cup brush