Our engineers are experts in achieving the perfect finish for your prototype or manufactured part. With painting, vapor polishing, sanding, anodizing and many other services to choose from, you can create the exact look you want.
Anodizing
Anodizing is an electrochemical technique for changing the surface properties of some metals. We are able to anodize aluminum, magnesium and titanium.
There are many reasons to choose an anodized surface treatment. It improves corrosion protection, surface hardness, wear resistance, aesthetic appearance and the adhesion of paints and primers. It also reduces electrical conductivity, helps to dissipate heat and reduces surface reflection.
We use primarily Type II anodizing, which allows the surface to accept colorants and dyes. Type II is also ideal as a base for painting, which further increases corrosion protection.
Painting
We have a state-of-the-art, climate controlled paint room with automated driers allowing us to apply virtually any type of commercially-available paint for your prototypes or low-volume manufactured parts. Our standard painting system is PPG automotive urethanes but we can also supply custom paints on request.
Our technicians are able to produce any desired surface finish, including high gloss, matte, semi-gloss, metallic flakes and customized textures. We also do color-matched tinting for clear plastic parts.
In addition, advanced technologies are employed to maintain not only clean-room conditions inside the painting area but also ensure that all fumes and contaminants from the painting process pass through a series of filters and traps so the evacuated air emerges cleaner than before. Just part of our commitment to responsible, world-class manufacturing.
Laser etching
We apply pad printing in custom colors, and CNC manufacture customized aluminum stencils which are suitable for any flat or semi-curved surface. Silk-screening is also available which may be more suitable for some applications.
Sanding and Polishing
Wet and dry sanding is often used to prepare a surface for painting, but it can also create unique surface textures which are an integral part of the final design.
We can achieve highly finished surfaces up to mirror polish, suitable for stainless steel, aluminum and PMMA type plastics. Semi-gloss and matte surface textures are created by using less fine abrasives applied in a random, non-directional fashion.
Standard brush finishes are created by progressive sanding in one direction only. This involves using 3M® Scotch-Brite pads together with aluminum oxide sandpaper to achieve our class #4 or class #6 finish, but we can customize to any effect desired.
Vapor Polishing
This is a specialized treatment we do in-house for achieving optical clarity on polycarbonate (PC) plastic. This method can also be used for repairing minor surface defects, and is ideal for achieving an extremely clear surface on complex geometries or hard to reach areas.
After carefully preparing the part with sanding up to #1500 grit, it is then placed in an atmospherically controlled environment. Weldon 4 gas is used to melt the surface of the plastic at the molecular level, which rapidly reforms with all microscopic scratches blended out.
Electroplating
This surface texturing method involves placing a part inside of a chamber where the surface is then impacted with various abrasive media under pressure.
The abrasive material we use includes sand, garnet, walnut shells, and high-pressure water, though virtually any other media can be had on request.
The choice of which media to use on your part depends on the desired surface texturing effect, the raw material of the product, and the dimensional tolerances required of the finished piece among other considerations. Consult our experts to learn more about which approach is best for your application.
Color Matching
At PCBHERO Prototype we understand very well that the color of your finished product can be as important as its function. We offer extensive color matching services using standardized lighting conditions, and we've recently invested in Pantone® plastics opaque selector chips to help clients better visualize the finished look of molded plastic parts.
In the past, customers would specify Pantone® colors using a system of colored inks printed on white card stock. These colors are notoriously difficult to match with molded plastic parts because the color can vary greatly dependent on part geometry, type and thickness of the molded plastic. When exact Pantone® matches are not available, we strongly recommend providing a physical sample for our painting professionals to use in creating custom colors.
PANTONE® and other Pantone trademarks are the property of Pantone LLC. PANTONE color identification is solely for artistic purposes and not intended to be used for specification.
