Broadly, the centrifugal barrel machines have enclosed polyurethane lined barrels mounted on a turret. In few of the models, as the turret rotates in one direction the barrels rotate a given ratio in the opposite direction. The individual barrels are loaded with the media, parts to be processed, water and compounds. The action within the barrel is a compressive sliding action creating the maximum energy available today in mass finishing.

The process is excellent for small parts with large burrs. This system has the energy to drive small media into hard-to-get-to areas. The system can also utilize one media to cut and brighten with one step. 

The centrifugal barrel machine is also being used to brighten parts with dry media to get as close to a buffed finish as possible.

One of the disadvantages of the smaller models of centrifugal barrel finishing machines is that the loading and unloading of parts is a bit labor intensive. However, an automatic separation mechanism can be customized on request.