ARapidPrototype
Surface Finishing Services
- Sandblasting
- Polishing
- Anodizing
- Electroplating
- Spray Painting
- Silk Screening
- Laser Engraving
- Baking Paint
- Powder Coating
- Chemical Plating
- Electrophoresis
Order High-Quality Surface Finishing Parts with ARapidPrototype
Enhance the appearance and functionality of your components with top-notch surface finishing solutions, no matter the method of production employed. We provide premium finishing services for metals, composites, and plastics, enabling you to realize the prototype or product you envision with utmost quality.
Defining Quality A,B and C Surface
Optimizing Product Appearance Quality Control: Defining A, B, and C Sides During surface finishing processes like anodizing or powder coating, aesthetic imperfections such as hang marks can arise. To ensure defect-free results while keeping costs in check, it’s essential to define A, B, and C sides in your design. In the illustration below, you’ll see how to designate A, B, and C sides in your technical drawings:
- A Side: This denotes the most visually critical surface, typically the prominent face visible to users, ensuring a flawless appearance.
- B Side: This refers to less critical surfaces, like those concealed from view after assembly, such as top, bottom, or side surfaces not directly in the line of sight. By clearly defining A and B sides, you prioritize quality control on visible aspects, enhancing aesthetic appeal.
- C Side: This surface is often within the part or invisible after assembly. Quality requests may be reduced or ignored to optimize costs without compromising essential functionality.
Discover more about defining A, B, and C sides to streamline your product’s exterior quality control process and optimize results.
| Primary Surface (A-Side) | Secondary Surface (B-Side) | C-Side | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scratches | No | No | No |
| Stains | No | No | No |
| Blemishes | No | No | No |
| Hanging marks | No | Minor (Up to 2) | Not Applicable |
| Other minor defects | No | Yes (Up to 2) | Not Applicable |
| Quality Standard | Defect-free production assured | Minor imperfections may be present | Typically meets assembly and functional requirements only |
For the primary surface (A-side) of your part, we assure defect-free production. Conversely, secondary surfaces (B-side) may exhibit machining marks and other minor imperfections. However, B-side surfaces, along with the rest of your part, will be devoid of scratches, stains, and blemishes. When it comes to the C-side, we typically prioritize meeting assembly and functional requirements, without imposing specific surface quality standards.
Aesthetic Finishes
Surface finishes can fulfill either a practical or visual function. Those that excel in both areas are known as cosmetic finishes, primarily utilized for cosmetic components. Manufacturing such parts necessitates additional precautions to reduce defects like tool marks and scratches.
Non-Aesthetic
Primary machining marks will still be visible
- Raw finish
- Precision machining
- High-quality machining
- Conversion coating with chromate
- Electroless nickel plating
- Hard anodizing (Type III)
- Powder coating B
- lack oxide treatment
Custom Aesthetic
Finishes can be tailored to either prioritize aesthetics or functionality based on specific requirements.
- Brushed + Anodizingtype llBead
- Blasted + Anodizing type llBea
- Blasted
- Brushed
Aesthetic by default
These finishes will always serve a Aesthetic function produced by processes.
- Brushed + Electropolished。
- Polishing
- Machinning
ARapidPrototype Finishing Services Parts
Explore our comprehensive gallery showcasing meticulously milled prototypes and parts crafted by our esteemed customers.
CNC Machining C204 Anodizing aluminum Aerospace Industry unmanned aerial vehicle precision +- 0.05mm
CNC Machining C208 Anodizing aluminum Aerospace Industry unmanned aerial vehicle precision + 0.05mm
CNC Machining C360 SS Jig for Electronic Communications Industry precision +- 0.05mm
Surface treatment P009 PVD Google product material testing
Surface treatment P047 PVD colorful paint Apple product material testing
CNC Machining C224 Anodizing aluminum Aerospace Industry unmanned aerial vehicle precision +- 0.05mm
ARapidPrototype Surface Finishing Parts Services
| FINISHING NAME | SERVICE | APPLICABLE TO | MACHINING MARKS | COSMETIC AVAILABILITY | TOLERANCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As machined | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabricat ion | Metals, Plastics | Visible, light surface scratches | No | Tolerances are not affected |
| Smooth machining | CNC machining | Metals, Plastics | Visible, light surface scratches | No | Tolerances are not affected |
| Fine machining | CNC machining | Metals | Slightly visible | No | Tolerances are not affected |
| Polishing | CNC machining | Metals | Removed on primary surfaces | Always cosmetic | Met after polishing |
| Bead blasting | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabrication | Metals | Removed for non-cosmetic, removed on primary surfaces for cosmetic | On request | Not affected except for specific features* |
| Brushing | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabrication | Metals | Reduced for non-cosmetic, removed on primary surfaces for cosmetic | On request | Met after brushing |
| Anodizing Type II | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabrication | Aluminum | Reduced for non-cosmetic, removed on primary surfaces for cosmetic | On request | Met after anodizing |
| Anodizing Type III | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabrication | Aluminum | Visible under anodizing | No | Met after anodizing |
| Black oxide | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabrication | Copper, Stainless steel, Alloy steel, Tool steel, Mild steel | Visible | No | Met after coating |
| Chromate conversion coating | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabrication | Aluminum | Visible | No | Met after coating |
| Electroless nickel plating | CNC machining | Mild steel, Aluminum, Stainless steel | Reduced but visible | No | Met after electroless nickel plating |
| Powder coating | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabrication | Metals | Removed | No | Met before powder coating |
| Brushed + electropolishing | CNC machining | Stainless steel | Removed on Primary surfaces | Always cosmetic | Met after electropolishing |
| Vapor smoothing | 3D printing | Plastics | Surface gets a smooth glossier appearance | No | Met before vapor smoothing |
The ARapidPrototype Pocess
Step 1
Upload Your Design
It takes just seconds to upload your design files to the quote form. We benchmark a minimum of 3 quotes from trusted partners and deliver you the best price within one business day.
Step 2
Manufacture
Once the best quote for price, quality and speed is selected, our trusted partners will get to work creating you the highest quality of mechanical parts – and your parts will be manufactured in days!
Step 3
Quality Assurance
Our expert team of engineers carry out two stages of rigorous Quality Control to ensure thorough inspections of your parts and ensure they are right the first time.
Step 4
Delivery
Utilising our proprietary software and our on-site teams, we ensure on-time delivery and communicate project status at every stage from order through to delivery.
Surface Finishing Service FAQs
What is Sheet Metal Fabrication?
Sheet metal fabrication is the process of manufacturing parts, components, and structures from sheet metal.
Sheet metal fabrication involves various techniques such as cutting, forming, welding, painting, and finishing to create a final product that is both aesthetically pleasing and durable.
When is Sheet Metal Fabrication Used?
Sheet metal fabrication finds applications in diverse industries including furniture, industrial machinery, automotive, aerospace, medical equipment, and more. It is often preferred when precise size and shape are crucial for seamless integration within a system. Additionally, it excels in producing intricate parts with complex details, such as cooling fans and housings.
What services do you How Much Does Sheet Metal Fabrication Cost??
The cost of sheet metal fabrication varies depending on the complexity and size of the project. Generally, larger projects with intricate details incur higher costs compared to smaller, simpler ones. Additionally, expenses may increase with additional processes like painting and finishing. For an accurate cost estimate tailored to your project, consulting a professional is recommended.
Join arapidprototype on the path to better, faster
and stronger innovation
Get A Quote NowAll uploads are secure and confidential.
English 
French 
German