01
Anodizing
For suitable aluminum alloys. Grade, temper and pretreatment affect color. Specify oxide type, thickness, sealing and masking of electrical contacts.
Surface finishing
Where part appearance meets performance.
Evaluate anodizing, coatings, polishing and marking around the substrate, service environment and assembly requirements. Define color, texture and protection before production.
Surface finishing01 — 06
Anodizing
Powder coating
Electroplating
Polishing and brushing
Screen printing and laser marking
Liquid painting
Confirm substrate and use first, then process, samples and acceptance criteria. Color, thickness, corrosion performance and lead time require project review.
01 / Surface finishing
Submit drawings for reviewSix finishing routes
02
Powder coating
Primarily for metal parts that tolerate curing temperatures. Select the powder system for the environment; specify thickness, texture and masking of threads, grounds and fits.
03
Electroplating
Select the coating system for substrate, corrosion protection, conductivity or appearance. Specify pretreatment, thickness and tests; assess hydrogen embrittlement for high-strength steels.
04
Polishing and brushing
Use mechanical or electrochemical methods suited to the substrate. Define grain direction, roughness and a reference sample; account for material removal at edges and critical dimensions.
05
Screen printing and laser marking
For logos, text and traceability. Confirm vector artwork, location, contrast and durability. Validate laser interaction with existing coatings first.
06
Liquid painting
Match primer and topcoat to metal or plastic. Review adhesion, cure temperature, color and gloss; printed resins need compatible paint and confirmed cleaning and curing.
02 / Material selection
Browse materialsStart with the substrate
Aluminum alloys
Evaluate anodizing, coating or mechanical finishing. Alloy and batch differences can affect color.
Steel and stainless steel
Evaluate plating, coating or polishing against protection and appearance needs. Agree stainless passivation separately.
Copper and zinc alloys
Confirm alloy grade, casting porosity and pretreatment before choosing plating or protective coatings.
Plastics and printed resins
Check heat resistance, solvent compatibility and adhesion. Metal finishing routes do not transfer automatically.
What affects the quote
Submit drawings for reviewProvide drawings, material grade, quantity, target finish, color or sample, thickness, masking, inspection criteria and target date. Price and lead time are confirmed after review.
03 / Critical drawing details
Specify the result on the drawing
01
Color and appearance
Supply a color code and physical reference. Specify appearance faces, gloss, grain direction and allowable rack marks.
02
Thickness and dimensions
Define dimensions before and after finishing, tolerances, threads and fits. Allowances differ by process.
03
Masking and function
Mark electrical contacts, grounds, seals, bonding and assembly areas that must retain bare substrate.
04
Inspection and packaging
Agree measurement locations, adhesion or corrosion test methods and acceptance conditions, protective packaging and traceability.
04 / Quality & delivery
From samples to batch delivery
- 01
Share your requirements
Upload 3D models and necessary 2D drawings. Specify quantity, material, tolerance, finish and target delivery.
- 02
Confirm the plan and quote
Review manufacturability, critical dimensions and inspection requirements. Discuss complex needs with engineering.
- 03
Produce and inspect
Manufacture to the confirmed revision and check parts against the agreed inspection requirements.
- 04
Deliver and plan the next batch
Use feedback to refine the design or reorder. Confirm changes to revisions, quantities and delivery dates.
Confirm substrate and use first, then process, samples and acceptance criteria. Color, thickness, corrosion performance and lead time require project review.
Submit drawings for review05 / FAQ
Surface finishing · Project questions
Not sure about material, process or finish? Share drawings and operating conditions to give the engineering review a clear starting point.
Design guidelines01Does the same color code guarantee an identical result?
No. Substrate, texture, thickness, gloss and lighting affect appearance. Use approved physical samples and agreed viewing conditions for critical finishes.
02Can any finish be applied to any part?
No. Review material grade, geometry, temperature resistance, pretreatment and service environment before selecting the system.
03Can finishing change assembly dimensions?
Yes. Coatings may add thickness and polishing removes material. Anodizing consumes substrate while growing an oxide layer; review tolerances and masking for the chosen process.
04What is needed for a quote?
Provide drawings, material grade, quantity, target finish, color or sample, thickness, masking, inspection criteria and target date. Price and lead time are confirmed after review.
AgileMakeAI / Surface finishing
Submit drawings for reviewYour next batch starts with a drawing.
Provide drawings, material grade, quantity, target finish, color or sample, thickness, masking, inspection criteria and target date. Price and lead time are confirmed after review.