Our surface finishing capabilities
Use DTSS-3D as your one-stop solution for both manufacturing and surface finishing of your custom CNC machined parts, reducing the risk of production.
Do you need lettering logos or custom tags? Take a look at our part marking service here.
Our standard surface finishes
Here is a list of standard surface finishes. For custom surface finishes such as electroplating or polishing, please contact sales@3d-baidu.com.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Surface roughness | Ra 0.8μm / Ra 32μin |
| Applicable materials | Metals |
| Cosmetic availability | Not cosmetic |
| Visual appearance | Machining marks are less evident but slightly visible. |
Smooth machining (Ra 1.6μm/Ra 64μin)
A finishing CNC machining operation can be applied to the part to reduce its surface roughness. The standard smoothing surface roughness is Ra 1.6 μm (64 μin). Machine marks are less evident but still visible.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic availability | Non-cosmetic |
Bead blasted
Bead blasting cleans and evens out the surface of your custom parts, improving the functionality and cosmetic quality. It leaves a uniform matte or satin texture on machined parts by administering high-pressure glass beads on the components. A solely cosmetic option is available on request.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Grit | #120 |
| Color | Uniform matte of raw material color |
| Part masking | Indicate masking requirements in technical drawing |
| Cosmetic availability | Cosmetic on request |
Bead blasted + Anodizing type II (Matte)
Parts are bead blasted to #120 grit and then anodized (type II). Ideal for increasing the corrosion resistance of the part. Results in naturally matte colours. For glossy colours, please select the brushed anodizing option.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Surface preparation | Bead blasted with glass beads grit #120 |
| Tolerances | General dimensional tolerances apply after anodizing |
| Thickness | 8-12 μm (clear) or 12-16 μm (black/color) |
| Gloss Units | 2 - 10 GU |
| Color | Black, clear or any RAL code or Pantone number |
| Part masking | Indicate masking requirements in technical drawing |
| Cosmetic availability | Cosmetic on request |
Bead blasted + Anodizing type II (Glossy)
Parts are bead blasted to #120 grit, anodized type II and bright dipped. Results in glossy color. Ideal for cosmetic parts needing an increase in corrosion resistance.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Surface preparation | Bead blasted with glass beads grit #120 |
| Tolerances | General dimensional tolerances apply after anodizing |
| Thickness | 8-12 μm (clear) or 12-16 μm (black/color) |
| Gloss Units | Above 20 GU |
| Color | Black, clear or any RAL code or Pantone number |
| Part masking | Indicate masking requirements in technical drawing |
| Cosmetic availability | Cosmetic on request |
Brushed + Anodizing type II (Glossy)
Parts are brushed and then anodized type II. Ideal for increasing the corrosion resistance of the part. Typically results in a glossy color.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Surface preparation | Brushed with grit #400 |
| Tolerances | General dimensional tolerances apply after anodizing |
| Thickness | 8-12 μm (clear) or 12-16 μm (black/color) |
| Gloss Units | Above 20 GU |
| Color | black, clear or any RAL code or Pantone number |
| Part masking | Indicate masking requirements in technical drawing |
| Cosmetic availability | Cosmetic on request |
As machined + Anodized type II
Parts are anodized (type II) directly after machining. The most cost-effective anodizing option. Ideal for non-cosmetic, functional parts. Used to improve wear and corrosion resistance.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Surface preparation | "As machined" |
| Tolerances | General dimensional tolerances apply after anodizing |
| Thickness | 8-12 μm (clear) or 12-16 μm (black) |
| Color | Black or clear |
| Part masking | Indicate masking requirements in technical drawing |
| Cosmetic availability | Non-cosmetic |
As machined + Anodized type III (Hardcoat)
The anodizing type III coating is applied directly to a surface as machined (no other mechanical finish applied). Type III anodizing provides excellent corrosion and wear resistance, suitable for functional applications.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Surface preparation | "As machined" |
| Tolerances | General dimensional tolerances met before anodizing |
| Thickness | 35-50 μm |
| Color | Black or natural |
| Part masking | Indicate masking requirements in technical drawing |
| Cosmetic availability | Non-cosmetic |
Powder coating
Powder coating is a strong, wear-resistant finish that is compatible with all metal materials.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Tolerances | Met before process |
| Thickness | 50-150μm |
| Color | Black or any RAL code or Pantone number |
| Part masking | Indicate masking requirements in technical drawing |
| Cosmetic availability | Non-cosmetic |
Brushed + Electropolished (Ra0.8µm, 32µin)
Electropolishing gives parts a shinier appearance and makes them easier to clean and more resistant to corrosion. It also deburrs the surface roughness of stainless steel on a microscopic level (up to 10µm).
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Surface preparation | Brushed |
| Color | Natural metal color |
| Part masking | Indicate masking requirements in technical drawing |
| Cosmetic availability | Cosmetic by default |
Black oxide
Applicable on steels, black oxide is a conversion coating used to improve corrosion resistance and minimize light reflection.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Surface preparation | "As machined", cleaned and de-greased |
| Thickness | 0-30μm |
| Color | Black. |
| Part masking | Indicate masking requirements in technical drawing |
| Cosmetic availability | Non-cosmetic |
Chromate conversion coating (Alodine/Chemfilm)
Chromate conversion coating is used to increase the corrosion resistance of aluminium and aluminium alloys while maintaining their conductive properties.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Surface preparation | "As machined", cleaned and de-greased |
| Color | Clear |
| Part masking | Indicate masking requirements in technical drawing |
| Cosmetic availability | Non-cosmetic |
Electroless nickel plating
Parts are machined to Ra1.6µm and electroless nickel plated. Ideal for wear abrasion and corrosion resistance, not for cosmetic purposes.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Surface preparation | Smooth machining |
| Color | Clear |
| Machining marks | Machining marks are reduced but still visible |
| Cosmetic availability | Non-cosmetic |
Brushing
Brushing creates a smooth surface finish, enhancing the quality of your part after machining. Perfect for deburring, roughening and cleaning parts, brushing involves rubbing metal surfaces with an abrasive material. You can brush aluminum, steel and many other metals.
Polishing
Polishing improves the surface quality of your parts while also giving them a smoother, shinier cosmetic appearance. The process removes defects from parts, including scratches, pits and burrs. Polishing is ideal for seal performance, improving the aesthetics of a part and other cosmetic applications.
Cosmetic Finishes
For parts that look as good as they perform. We're dedicated to ensuring the surface finishes of your parts meet your cosmetic requirements and we therefore require extra measures to guarantee optimal quality and results.
What is a cosmetic finish?
When adding a surface finish to your part, you choose whether the finish has a merely functional purpose or whether it should also serve an aesthetic purpose.
Parts that serve both functional and aesthetic purposes are deemed cosmetic.
The production of cosmetic parts require extra measures to minimize defects such as hang marks, light scratches and other minor imperfections.
For all of our available finishes, we have categorized them by their cosmetic availability:
Non-cosmetic
Primary machining marks will still be visible
- As machined
- Smooth machining
- Chromate Conversion Coating
- Electroless Nickel Plating
- Anodized type III (Hardcoat)
- Powder coating
- Black oxide
Cosmetic on request
Finishes can be either cosmetic or non-cosmetic as per request
- Brushed + Anodizing type II
- Bead Blasted + Anodizing type II
- Bead Blasted
- Brushed
- Polishing
Cosmetic by default
These finishes will not have the option to be non-cosmetic.
- Brushed + Electropolished
What differences are there between cosmetic and non-cosmetic finishes?
- Cosmetic finishes will follow our Cosmetic Acceptability Criteria
- Parts will have guaranteed consistency across the batch
- Batch will be inspected as per AQL level II
- Around +10% price increase
Defining an A and a B side
The processes of applying surface finishes will unavoidably incur some defects such as hang marks, for instance. However, these can be focussed to a certain surface or area of your part to allow the rest of your part to be defect free.
This can be achieved by defining an A-side and a B-side in the technical drawing of your part:
A side: Indicates the most aesthetically important surface, typically the visible side of your product.
B side: Indicates the side that is not aesthetically important, typically the side hidden from visibility after assembly.
Surfaces declared as the A-side will be defect free while B-side surfaces will have a slightly more tolerating acceptability criteria:
| Defect type | Primary surface (A-side) | Secondary surface (B-side) |
|---|---|---|
| Scratches, stains, blemishes | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Hanging marks | Not allowed | Minor hanging marks |
| Other minor defects | Not allowed | Up to 2 minor defects |
Cosmetic Acceptability Criteria
For all cosmetic parts produced by our manufacturing partners, we have devised an acceptability criteria that will be followed:
Consistency requirements
Each part must be visually consistent across the same batch meaning:
- Same grit must be used across parts for sanding or brushing
- Brush marks must be in the same direction**
- Color must be consistent to the same pantone when parts are placed next to each other
- Gloss units must be consistent across the batch
** Manual brushing marks will be as unidirectional as possible. Please note that for rounded geometries, brushing marks may not be entirely unidirectional.
Conditions
Upon receiving your part at our quality control facilities, care will be taken to visually inspect the surface quality of each part with the following conditions:
- Distance: 50cm ±10cm with a 10/10 vision (or corrected)
- Incidence angle: Approximately 45º in all directions
- Lighting conditions: 500-1000 Lux, color 3300-5300 Kelvin (neutral white)
See our video: Cosmetic vs Non-cosmetic Finishes Explained
Neil Gilbody
Sales Director EU
Jennifer Kaari
US Strategic Account Manager
David Nguyen
EMEA Sales Engineer
For businesses of all sizes
Get in touch with our team to access these services:
- Add DTSS-3D as a vendor
- ISO 9001, material certifications, test reports and full dimensional reports
- Non-disclosure agreements
- Urethane casting and part marking
- Sample verification program (learn more)
- Dedicated account manager
Call us directly on , or email us at sales@3d-baidu.com
Get your parts machined and finished in as fast as 5 days
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