HZ-85 High-Efficiency Centrifugal Barrel Finisher
HZ-85 High-Energy Centrifugal Barrel
Finishing Machine
The Aerospace Centrifugal Finishing Machine Built for Rifle Barrels, Knife Blades, and Long Precision Components
The HZ-85 is the longest-barreled high-efficiency centrifugal barrel finisher in the HZ-Series. Its 33.5″ barrels accept parts up to 33″ long and 5.5″ in diameter—a part envelope specifically suited for rifle barrels, shotgun receivers, full-length knife blades, turbine blades, aircraft actuator shafts, and munitions casings that exceed the reach of shorter machines.
Where the HZ-60’s 25.75″ barrels serve automotive and transportation applications, the HZ-85 exists for industries where parts are longer, surface finish requirements are more demanding, and cosmetic quality directly affects the product’s market value. Aerospace primes and Tier 1 suppliers use it for flight-critical components that require deburring and surface refinement before NDT inspection. Firearms manufacturers use it to replace hours of hand polishing on receivers, barrels, and slides. Knife makers use it to achieve satin and mirror finishes on blades and handles that define their brand.
With 3 cubic feet of total capacity (85 liters), 7 HP of main motor power, and variable frequency control reaching 225 RPM, the HZ-85 delivers 50% more batch volume than the HZ-60 while maintaining the same narrow-barrel geometry that concentrates media pressure along the full length of each part.
Machine Type: High Efficiency
Max Part Size: 33″ L x 5.5″ D
Barrel Dimensions: 33.5″ L x 5.8″ D
Popular Industries: Knives, Firearms & Munitions, Aerospace
How the HZ-85 Serves Industries Where Surface Finish Is the Product
In aerospace, a burr left on a turbine blade can cause a fatigue crack that grounds an aircraft. In firearms, a rough chamber or bore affects accuracy, cycling reliability, and corrosion resistance. In knife manufacturing, the finish on the blade is the first thing the customer sees and the last thing they judge quality by. The HZ-85 exists for these industries because surface finish isn’t an afterthought—it’s a defining product attribute.
The 33.5″ barrel length accommodates parts that the HZ-60 (25.75″ barrels) cannot fit. For manufacturers who have been hand-finishing these longer components—or outsourcing to polishing houses—the HZ-85 brings the process in-house with automated, repeatable results. Variable frequency control allows operators to dial in intensity: lower RPMs for cosmetic satin finishes on stainless knife blades, mid-range for deburring machined aerospace fittings, and full 225 RPM for aggressive material removal on hardened firearm components.
Each barrel holds approximately 19 lbs. of ceramic media or 15.5 lbs. of plastic media, with 1 gallon of water and compound per barrel. The 7 HP main motor and Allen Bradley PowerFlex 525 drive deliver consistent force across all four barrels regardless of media load.
Why Aerospace, Firearms, and Knife Manufacturers Choose the HZ-85
33.5″ barrels for the longest parts
The HZ-85 accepts parts up to 33″ long—rifle barrels, full-length chef’s knives, turbine blades, actuator rods, and shotgun receivers that won’t fit in any shorter machine. This barrel length is the primary reason manufacturers choose the HZ-85 over the HZ-60.
60 chambers for part isolation
With 14 divider slots per barrel, you can create up to 15 isolated chambers per barrel—60 separate compartments per cycle. Knife manufacturers use this to process individual blades without edge-to-edge contact. Firearms manufacturers isolate slides, frames, and barrels in the same batch.
3 cubic feet of batch capacity
50% more capacity than the HZ-60, the HZ-85 processes heavier batches per cycle—76 lbs. of ceramic media or 62 lbs. of plastic media total. For munitions manufacturers finishing hundreds of casings per batch, this capacity reduces cycle count per shift.
Cosmetic-grade surface finishing
The isotropic finish the HZ-85 produces is uniform in all directions—no directional polishing lines or sanding marks. For knife blades, this creates the satin or mirror finish that defines premium cutlery. For firearm components, it produces the even, consistent appearance that buyers expect.
225 RPM variable speed control
Adjustable from gentle polishing to aggressive deburring on the same machine. Aerospace manufacturers run moderate speeds for controlled edge radiusing on flight-critical parts. Knife makers run lower speeds for final satin passes. Firearms manufacturers use higher speeds for heavy material removal on forged or MIM components.
Air-driven cover lift + full customization
Pneumatic barrel-lid removal is standard. The HZ-85 also supports PLC touchscreen, internal vibratory separator, drain pan, infrared safety curtains, automatic door opener, and centrifuge wastewater system—configurable for everything from a standalone knife-finishing cell to an integrated aerospace production line.
HZ-85 Barrels
The HZ-85 features four octagonal barrels measuring 33.5″ L x 5.8″ D—the longest barrels in the high-efficiency HZ-Series lineup. Removable lids secured with cam locks allow quick barrel access, and the standard air-driven cover lift handles lid removal via toggle switch.
Part Separation With Up to 15 Chambers Per Barrel
Each HZ-85 barrel has 14 divider slots, allowing up to 15 isolated chambers per barrel—or 60 separate compartments across all four barrels in a single cycle. This level of part isolation matters most in the HZ-85’s target industries:
- Knife and blade finishing: Individual blades need isolation to protect cutting edges and prevent surface contact between pieces. With 60 compartments, a production knife manufacturer can process an entire batch of chef’s knives, hunting knives, or folding blades in one cycle with zero blade-to-blade contact.
- Firearms components: Slides, frames, barrels, and receivers have different geometries and finishing requirements. Dividers let you run all four in the same cycle without mixing. This is especially important for custom firearms shops finishing small batches of high-value components.
- Aerospace parts: Flight-critical components often carry part-specific traceability requirements. Dividers ensure each serialized part stays in its own compartment throughout the finishing cycle, maintaining the chain of custody that AS9100 quality systems demand.
Barrel liners are hot-poured polyurethane, 1/4″ minimum thickness, and field-replaceable. Dividers are made from NYLOIL® cast nylon with built-in oil lubrication for durability and chemical resistance.
A second set of barrels enables continuous operation—load the next batch while the current one runs.
Get Stocked Up on the Essentials
Shop our media and compound store
HZ-85 Recommended Accessories
Part & Media Separator
- Simplify the media & part separation process
- Dump fully loaded barrels
- The machine vibrations separate the media & parts out of the machine and into bins
Processing Table
- Collects water and drainage during the loading/unloading process
- Grip strut floor surface to prevent operator slips and falls
Barrel Dividers
- Create separate chambers inside each of your barrels
- Reduce part-on-part impingment
- Available for all HZ-Series models (except HZ-12)
PLC Touchscreen
- Store processes as recipes for easy process selection
- Replaces the analog cycle start buttons
- Allows for better monitoring of machine use and time
Additional HZ-85 Specs & Resources
Specifications
Main Motor |
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Barrel Rotation Motor |
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Machine Voltage |
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Capacity/Consumables |
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Approximate Shipping Weight |
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Overall Dimensions |
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Machine Construction |
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Paint |
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Barrel Construction |
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Barrel Liners |
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Barrel Cover Lift |
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Control Panel |
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Variable Speed Drive |
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Brake |
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Safety Interlock |
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- An HZ-85 installed in a contract manufacturing shop producing medical parts.
Options
Vibratory Media Separator |
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Spray Header for Separator |
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Drain Pan |
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Processing Table and Sludge Tank |
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Barrel Dividers |
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PLC Controller |
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Rinse Screen |
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Infrared Safety Light Curtains |
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Light Tower Indicator |
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Media Return System |
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Custom Logo/Paint |
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Centrifuge Module – CF55 SD Series MicroseparatorTM |
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Automatic Door Opener |
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Media/Compound |
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Media Storage Rack |
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HZ-85 vs. HZ-60: When Does the Extra Barrel Length Matter?
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Factor |
HZ-60 |
HZ-85 |
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Max Part Length |
25.25″ |
33″ |
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Barrel Length |
25.75″ |
33.5″ |
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Total Capacity |
2 cubic feet |
3 cubic feet (85 liters) |
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Chambers Per Barrel |
Up to 12 |
Up to 15 |
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Total Chambers |
48 |
60 |
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Motor |
5 HP |
7 HP |
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Primary Industries |
Automotive, transportation, medical |
Aerospace, firearms, knives, munitions |
Choose the HZ-85 if your parts exceed 25″ in length (rifle barrels, full-length knife blades, longer turbine blades), you need 60 separate chambers for part isolation, or your production volumes require 3 cubic feet of batch capacity.
The HZ-60 is the better fit if your parts are under 25″, your primary applications are automotive or transportation deburring, or your budget and floor space favor the smaller machine. Both share the same narrow-barrel geometry and 225 RPM speed capability.
Not sure which model fits? Send us sample parts or share your dimensions and throughput goals—we’ll recommend the right machine.
Are You Interested in the HZ-85?