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At Vapor Honing Technologies, we’re excited to introduce the Auto Finish AF1215 — a compact, fully automated finishing system designed to deliver exceptional results with unmatched ease of use. Originally developed as a precision tool honing machine, the AF1215 has grown into a versatile finishing platform that supports a wide range of applications, from cutting tool enhancement to part cleaning and surface prep.

The AF1215 was developed to fill an unmet need in the surface finishing market for an affordable automated cabinet. Many shops and manufacturers face a difficult choice: invest in expensive robotic systems or rely on time-consuming manual labor. The AF1215 bridges that gap by offering an accessible, compact, and highly capable solution for automated blasting and precision surface preparation. Whether you’re processing small batches or running consistent high-mix production, the AF1215 delivers the benefits of automation without the complexity or cost traditionally associated with it.

Key Features of the AF1215:

The Auto Finish AF1215 automates and simplifies blasting through a carefully engineered combination of precision mechanics and user-friendly design:

  • 15 inches of Z-axis travel to accommodate a wide variety of part sizes,

  • Support for turntables up to 12 inches in diameter, perfect for tooling, engine components, and more,

  • An adjustable blast gun for fine control over impact angle and distance,

  • A quick-change puck fixturing system for fast, tool-free part mounting,

  • No programming required — simply load your part, adjust your settings, and let the machine run.

This system ensures consistent, repeatable results while eliminating the need for manual blasting or operator guesswork. Whether you’re honing end mills, carbide inserts, or even larger machined components, the AF1215 delivers professional-grade finishes with minimal setup time. The above traits also have relevancy when Tool Honing!

What is Tool Honing?

Tool honing is a surface refinement process that improves the performance of cutting tools by creating a consistent surface finish. This is an important element of shop upkeep, as a tool with a dull edge loses its effectiveness and can cause bigger issues as time goes on. Now there are unavoidable issues with standard grinding that typically can’t be resolved through manual processes that reduce the life of the part. These issues are as follows:

  • Inconsistent micro-pitting,

  • Microscopic “saw-tooth” cutting edge

  • Prominent grind lines – or inversely – an incredibly smooth tool

These characteristics decrease wear resistance and performance, leading to higher tool replacement rates, unpredictable results, and more downtime. To fix this issue on a microscopic level, vapor blasting is the best solution.

The AF1215 Excels at Tool Honing!

First, let’s consider what happens when your wet blast after grinding. The part is hit with abrasive at a high velocity while the water cushions the impact of the abrasive as it hits the tool. These controlled impacts lead to a new finish on the surface of your tooling. Some micro-peening occurs, but the majority of the benefit comes from the tailored surface created, which allows greater coolant adhesion. Due to blasting, the surface is also more resistant to cold welding, as the new surface reduces friction during cutting. A smoother transition between the cutting edge and the tool body will also be present. These resolved issues also lead to a more consistent cutting performance, and an extended tooling life of up to 300%.

To achieve these results, we have created the machine perfect for this situation; the Auto Finish AF1215. Engineered as an accessible automated option, the Auto Finish AF1215 leverages vapor blasting with media to deliver a controlled, repeatable surface conditioning process. It hits all manner of contours of a surface and does so leaving an even finish every time.

Final Thoughts.

Lastly, we want to point out that while the AF1215 is excellent for bringing wet blasting into your tool honing process there are other uses for the AF1215. If you are looking for a convenient, user friendly automatic sand blaster for your production line or shop- the AF1215 can be set up for that. The AF1215 can also be used as a parts washer for your degreasing needs. With several different options for how you may choose to set-up your AF1215 we encourage you to connect with a member of our dedicated sales team, (828)-202-5563. Our sales team are specialists in the surface finishing industry and are there to answer your questions big and small. We look forward to hearing from you! Thank you for reading!

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