Stainless Steel 3d printing
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Aluminum 3D Printing
Mold 3D PrintingWith 20 years of growth and innovation, we are committed to providing the best digital manufacturing experience in the industry.
AptPrototype Surface Finishing Services
●Sandblasting
●Polishing
●Anodizing
●Electroplating
●Spray Painting
●Silk Screening
●Laser Engraving
●Baking Paint
●Powder Coating
●Chemical Plating
●Electrophoresis
01
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.
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
AptPrototype 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
AptPrototype 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 |