Electroplating Services
The electroplated layer protects the surface area of parts and resists rust and various other problems from causing decay by applying electrical currents to reduce metal cations.
Electroplating
Electroplating is effectively the reverse of electropolishing. Rather than getting rid of a layer of steel to accomplish a finished surface, electroplating deposits an added external layer, raising a component’s thickness. Suitable with cadmium, chrome, copper, gold, nickel, silver, and tin, electroplating creates smooth components that experience less wear and tear over time thanks to their added protection from corrosion, tainting, shock, and warmth. Electroplating can increase adhesion between the base material and its additional outer coating, and, depending on the type of metal used, can make your part magnetic or conductive.
| Applicable Materials | Options |
| Steel, Aluminum | Gold, Silver, Zinc, Nickle, Copper,Chrome |
Electroplating
Electroplating-Gold
Electroplating-Silver
Electroplating-Zinc
Electroplating Process
- Cleaning: The part is cleaned to remove impurities.
- Surface Activation: Chemical treatment prepares the surface.
- Electroplating Bath: The part is immersed in a metal ion solution.
- Electroplating: An electrical current deposits metal onto the part.
- Rinsing: Excess solution is rinsed off.
- Drying: Careful drying prevents water spots.
Electroplating Design Consideration
- For all critical dimensions and tolerances, the plating thickness shall be taken into consideration.
- Electroplating entails using current. This means the general geometry of the component will influence the present circulation across its surface area, often erratically. Nonetheless, there are some advanced plating procedures that can protect against extreme plating build-up on bends, threads and sharp edges.
- Plating materials should be chosen based on the desired characteristics of the final part: corrosion resistance, strength, etc.
FAQs
Turning often results in a smoother surface due to the continuous single-point cutting action and more controlled tool geometry. Milling, with its multi-point cutting tools and complex tool paths, can yield a rougher surface finish, but it is highly dependent on the specific machining parameters, tool quality, and setup. Proper tool selection and optimization of cutting parameters can help improve the surface finish in milling operations.
Specifying a surface finish “as machined” is important because it defines the quality and texture of the workpiece’s surface directly after CNC machining. This helps set expectations for the surface finish without any additional post-processing, which can be crucial for parts with strict functional or aesthetic requirements.
Several factors can influence the surface finish as machined, including the cutting tool’s sharpness, the material being machined, the CNC machine’s accuracy and rigidity, feed rates, and cutting speeds. Operator skill and the choice of machining parameters play a crucial role in achieving the desired surface finish.
