When it comes to manufacturing the best possible part for the job, following the manufacturing process completely and thoroughly is vital. Even a small part of finishing a production project, like deburring and packaging, should not be neglected. At Thomas Engineering Company, one crucial stage for the manufacturing of certain parts is our plating and finishing services. This stage helps to complete our comprehensive precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN.

Plating or otherwise finishing a product by adding an industrial powder coating on the surface of a part in a type of metal will improve or otherwise change the superficial capabilities. The benefits of plating and finishing range between form and function in the following general categories.

Electrical: Applying ionic metals or anodizing a metal surface can alter the conductivity of the part as a whole. Changing the conductivity of a part allows it to become suitable for specific uses in the electrical, automotive, and sometimes medical industry.

Protective: Plating parts with various nickel, zinc, gold, or other alloys can significantly help to protect against elements to which a part can be exposed. Most cases of protective plating and finishing are designed to prevent part damage caused by exposure to radiation, short term or long term corrosion, and general wear from usage. Many plating and finishing techniques also serve to generally harden a part as a whole.

Superficial: Various techniques of plating and finishing also work to alter the surface for reasons other than altering electrical conductivity and enhancing protective qualities. For example, certain kinds of plating and finishing techniques can improve paint adhesion and increase a part’s solderability. Anodizing a part’s surface can also change the superficial qualities in a number of ways, including preventing wear, providing better adhesion for glues and primers, and allowing for cosmetic surface alterations.

Aesthetic: While TEC parts are rarely plated and finished for aesthetic purposes, there are certain cases where anodizing a surface serves both form and function. Anodization increases the oxide layer that occurs naturally on most types of metal. This means that dyes and primers are maintained for longer, and corrosion resistance is increased. The benefits of an aesthetic plating treatment like anodization include wear resistance and the ability to define sections of a complex part with dyes and labels.