ECT HIGH QUALITY PRECISION METAL WORK
FINISHING
Finishing
Metal finishing is the final step in the manufacturing process used to provide aesthetics and environmental protection. It is also used to reduce surface roughness beyond the capabilities of machining operations for parts that must mate or seal.
Some of the general advantages of metal finishing treatments include:
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Increased durability
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Improved decorative appeal
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Enhanced electrical conductivity
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Higher electrical resistance
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Higher chemical resistance
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Higher tarnish resistance
Below are a few of the types of finishing processes available:
Plating
Metal plating uses chemical baths to coat or alter the surface of substrates with thin layers of metal such as zinc, nickel, cadmium, or chromium. The electroplating method generates an electric current to coat the substrate, while electroless plating employs an autocatalytic process in which the substrate catalyzes the reaction. As plating is a chemically intensive, large scale process, it is almost invariably performed by plating service providers who specialize in the field.
Metal plating can improve a product’s durability, corrosion resistance, surface friction, and exterior appearance. In the case of galvanized metal, the zinc plating serves as a sacrificial anode, itself corroding while protecting the integrity of the underlying substrate. However, plating machines are generally not suited for smoothing out surface defects.
Unlike plating, metal finishing with brushes is an effective method for removing surface imperfections. These finishing machines create a uniform, parallel grain surface texture to smooth out a product’s exterior. An abrasive belt or wire brush is usually employed to achieve this effect. In addition, the singular direction of the belt or brush can create slightly rounded edges perpendicular to the grain. This type of finishing is used for aluminum panels that are used for metal photo prints and signage.
In addition, wire brushing is used to remove the slag produced by some welding operations and to remove scale and grit from metal surfaces prior to cleaning.
Brushing/Cleaning
Grinding
Grinding machines use abrasive wheels to smooth out surfaces. There are several types of grinding machines designed to deliver different levels of finite smoothness. As noted above, grinding is used to reduce surface roughness left over from machining and as a final step in the machining process to close in on a tolerance. A surface grinder is the most common form of grinding machine but there are numerous specialty grinders such as centerless grinders and blanchard grinders in everyday use as well, with precision blanchard grinding being a widely-used metalworking technique ideal for oversized parts.
Heating/Treating
An important step in many metal manufacturing operations is heat treatment, which is used to procure desirable characteristics in the material after its finished shape is attained. For example, after gears are cut they are usually hardened through an inductive or flame heating process to increase wear resistance at the teeth surfaces while improving the strength of the underlying teeth. Hardening usually applies a quenching operation which is a critical step in transforming the grain structure of the metal. Case hardening is used on the shackles of padlocks, for example, to produce a shell that resists mechanical attack. Heat treating is applied too to remove any residual stresses left by manufacturing.
An important step in many metal manufacturing operations is heat treatment, which is used to procure desirable characteristics in the material after its finished shape is attained. For example, after gears are cut they are usually hardened through an inductive or flame heating process to increase wear resistance at the teeth surfaces while improving the strength of the underlying teeth. Hardening usually applies a quenching operation which is a critical step in transforming the grain structure of the metal. Case hardening is used on the shackles of padlocks, for example, to produce a shell that resists mechanical attack. Heat treating is applied too to remove any residual stresses left by manufacturing.
Silk Screening
Silk-screen in a metal finishing process that involves applying paint and elements of design to a piece of metal.
When metals arrive at our shop for silk-screening they aren’t usually in their original raw form. Instead, they’ve already been treated with coatings that will affect how the metal reacts to certain inks. Additionally, these coatings can affect how resistant the silk-screen finish will be to scratching and fading.
Coatings will fall into one of two categories: thermoplastic or thermoset.
An important step in many metal manufacturing operations is heat treatment, which is used to procure desirable characteristics in the material after its finished shape is attained. For example, after gears are cut they are usually hardened through an inductive or flame heating process to increase wear resistance at the teeth surfaces while improving the strength of the underlying teeth. Hardening usually applies a quenching operation which is a critical step in transforming the grain structure of the metal. Case hardening is used on the shackles of padlocks, for example, to produce a shell that resists mechanical attack. Heat treating is applied too to remove any residual stresses left by manufacturing.
Reaming
Using Reaming tools offers several advantages over other conventional machining methods such as Drilling, Boring, Honing Grinding, Lapping etc.. In addition providing Precise Sizing, Tolerancing Capabilities , They also offer better Surface Finishing than those obtained through traditional means – this allows smoother operation, contact between mating surfaces, components (such bearings, joints, seals) reducing friction, wear-tear, improving overall performance, lifespan.
Powder Coating
Powder coating is a dry coating process used as a metal finish mostly on industrial equipment. Powder coating is applied as dry powder through an electrostatic process, then cured with heat. It is well known for providing high-quality finishes in terms of both functionality and overall look.
Anodizing
Compared to other finishing methods, such as painting or powder coating, the process results in a durable, long-lasting protective layer that is part of the metal rather than sitting atop its surface.
Countersink
Countersinking is very similar to drilling when it comes to tool durability and finish.
Countersinking is the process of cutting a conical hole into cloth to permit a fastener sort of a screw to be driven into the fabric deep enough for its head to be flush with (or below) the material's surface. It also allows the screw head's conical bottom to suit the fabric perfectly.
The hole created through the countersink drill bit is named a countersink. It's defined by a spread of measures, including its major hole diameter, primary hole diameter, depth, and angle. All of these will vary, counting on the sort of screw getting used.
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