CNC Parts Surface Finishing Capabilities

Whether produced through CNC machining or 3D printing, achieving the final product's appearance requires strict post-processing. To meet the special surface application requirements of customer parts, enhance the durability, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and aesthetics of CNC parts.

VMT offers comprehensive post-processing services for CNC parts to meet your diverse needs. Relying on our professional technical team, advanced equipment, and strong surface finishing supply chain, we are committed to achieving high standards in color, texture, gloss, and surface smoothness, aiming to exceed your expectations.

Surface Finishing Process Control

Have you encountered issues with the surface texture or defects in your CNC parts? Don't worry—VMT collaborates with surface finishing factories with over 10 years of experience. Two surface finishing engineers oversee the process control, and a dedicated SQE (Supplier Quality Engineer) closely monitors each stage at the surface finishing facility. Upon returning to the factory, we perform 100% inspection of the product's appearance to ensure quality.

VMT provides the best surface finishing services, according to customer requirements, according to different effects and materials, we provide customers with many kinds of surface finishings, such as oxidation, sandblasting, polishing, electroplating, powder spraying, baking paint, PVD, laser engraving, blackening, wire drawing, heat finishing, etching, etc. . In addition to the above conventional surface finishings, there are also a variety of special surface finishings. Please refer to the attached picture below.

As Machined

Standard surface finish with a surface roughness of 3.2 μm (126 μin), capable of removing sharp edges and cleanly deburring the parts.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: Metals, plastics

Color: None

Appearance: Slight visible surface scratches

Price: $

Anodizing

Anodizing is available in Type I, II, and III. It is an electrochemical process that forms a durable and corrosion-resistant oxide layer on the surface of metals, improving the durability of the parts and allowing for color customization.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: Aluminum, Titanium

Color: Customizable colors available, including transparent, black, gray, red, blue, gold etc.

Appearance: Smooth matte finish

Price:$

Hard Anodizing

Hard anodizing is a type of anodizing that produces a much thicker, harder, and more durable oxide layer on metal surfaces, typically used for industrial or high-wear applications.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: Aluminum, Titanium

Color: Customizable upon request, including black, gray, brown, bronze etc.

Appearance:

• Matte, darker surface finish
• Can appear dull or slightly rough
  
• More uniform and non-reflective compared to decorative anodizing
  

Price:$$

Color Anodizing

Color anodizing is used primarily for aesthetic enhancement and product differentiation, while still offering corrosion protection and durability. It is commonly seen in consumer goods, architecture, and decorative applications.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: Aluminum, Titanium

Color: Customizable upon request, including transparent, black, gray, red, blue, gold, etc.

Appearance:

• Smooth, uniform, and glossy finish
• Can be shiny or matte, depending on the pre-treatment (like polishing or bead blasting)
• Colors are fade-resistant and have a professional, polished look

Price:$$

Sandblasting

A powerful process that blasts abrasive media onto the surface to remove coatings and impurities.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: Metals, plastics

Color: None

Appearance: Smooth matte finish

Price:$$

Grinding and Polishing

The process of smoothing, polishing, and deburring metal surfaces to achieve a high gloss finish. Surface roughness can reach Ra0.6μm-Ra1.6μm.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: Metals

Color: natural color of the material

Appearance: Smooth and glossy

Price:$$$

Electroplating

Electroplating is a process that uses an electric current to deposit a thin layer of metal onto the surface of a workpiece, enhancing its properties such as corrosion resistance, wear resistance, or aesthetic appeal. It is commonly used in industries like automotive, electronics, and jewelry.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: Metal

Color: Chrome (silver, mirror-like), Nickel (silver-grey), Gold (yellow), Silver (bright white), Copper (reddish-brown), Zinc (silver, yellow, black or olive).

Appearance:

• Bright and reflective or matte depending on the type of plating and finishing method
• Smooth, sometimes with a mirror finish, or textured if desired
• Durable and protective, improving both the aesthetic and functional lifespan of the part

Price:$$$

Powder Coating

Powder coating is a dry finishing process where powdered paint is electrostatically applied and then cured under heat to form a durable, protective layer.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: metal, some plastics

Color: Customizable colors as required, white, black, gray, red, blue, gold, green, etc.

Appearance: 

• Smooth, uniform finish
• Can be glossy, matte, or textured
• Durable, with high resistance to chipping, fading, and corrosion

Price:$$

Painting

Painting is the process of applying a liquid coating, typically paint, to a surface for protection, aesthetics, or both.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: Metals, plastics

Color: Customizable colors as required, white, black, gray, red, blue, gold, green, etc.

Appearance: 

• Smooth, uniform finish
• Can be glossy, matte, satin, or textured depending on the type of paint and technique used
• Requires drying and may need additional layers or coatings for durability

Price:$

PVD

PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is a vacuum coating process that deposits a thin film of material onto a substrate. It is widely used to enhance the durability, wear resistance, and appearance of components. The process involves vaporizing a solid material, such as metal, which then condenses onto the target surface, forming a highly durable coating.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: metal, some plastics

Color: Customizable colors as required, black, blue, silver, etc.

Appearance:

• Smooth, uniform, and highly reflective or matte, depending on the base finish
• Metallic sheen with a premium, high-end look
• Scratch-resistant, long-lasting, and resistant to corrosion or tarnish
• Maintains a consistent color over time, even with exposure to wear

Price:$$$

Laser Engraving

Laser engraving is a precise, non-contact process that uses a laser beam to remove material from the surface, creating permanent designs, markings, or text.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: metal, plastic

Color: gray, white, black

Appearance:

• Sharp, precise markings or designs
• Can have a matte or textured appearance
• Engravings are permanent, high-contrast, and durable, without needing further finishing

Price:$$

Brushing

Brushing is a surface finishing technique where a material is abraded using a brush to create a uniform, linear texture. It is often used for aesthetic purposes, giving materials a matte or satin finish with fine lines.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: Aluminum, Titanium

Color: natural color of the material

Appearance:

• Matte, satin finish with visible linear grain or texture
• Reduces surface reflection, creating a subtle, professional look
• Smooth to the touch but with a fine directional texture

Price:$$

Etching

Etching is a technique that uses chemicals, lasers, or acid to remove layers from the surface of a material to create patterns, designs, or text.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: Metal, Plastic

Color: Etching will usually bring out the natural color of the material.

Appearance:

• Sharp, detailed patterns or markings
• Surface may appear matte, textured, or slightly recessed
• High contrast between etched and non-etched areas, providing a clear and permanent design

Price:$$$

Silk Screen Printing

Silk screen printing is a printing technique where ink is forced through a fine mesh stencil onto a surface, creating vibrant, long-lasting designs. It’s known for its ability to produce bold, opaque prints.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: Metals, plastics

Color: Customizable colors as required, Available in a full range of colors, including metallic and fluorescent inks.

Appearance:

• Bold, vibrant prints with high opacity
• Can have a glossy or matte finish, depending on the ink
• Slightly raised texture that enhances durability and visibility

Price:$$

Electrophoresis

Electrophoresis (e-coating) is a process where a charged coating material is deposited onto a conductive surface using an electric current. It provides a uniform, corrosion-resistant coating, commonly used as a primer or final finish.

Services: CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication

Applicable Materials: metal

Color: Customizable colors as required, black, white, gray, black, blue, silver, etc.

Appearance:

• Smooth, uniform finish with no visible brush marks or drips
• Can have a glossy or matte appearance, depending on the coating
• Often used as a base for additional coatings, offering high durability and corrosion resistance

Price:$$

Major machining marks remain visible.

• As machined
• Smooth machining
• Fine machining
• Chromate Conversion Coating
• Electroless Nickel Plating
• Anodized type III (Hardcoat)
• Powder coating
• Black oxide

Finishing can be decorative or non-decorative based on requirements.

• Brushed + Anodizing type II
• Bead Blasted + Anodizing type II
• Bead Blasted
• Brushed

These finishes always have an aesthetic effect.

• Brushed + Electropolished
• Polishing

Consistency Requirements

Each part must be visually consistent across the same batch, meaning:

• Same grit must be used across parts for sanding or brushing
• Brush marks must be in the same direction**
• Color must be consistent to the same pantone when parts are placed next to each other
• Gloss units must be consistent across the batch

Manual brushing marks will be as unidirectional as possible. Please note that for rounded geometries, brushing marks may not be entirely unidirectional.

Visual Inspection Conditions

The surface quality of every part must meet the following conditions:

• Distance: 50cm ±10cm (19,7 in ± 3,9 in) with a 10/10 vision (or corrected)
• Incidence angle: Approximately 45º in all directions
• Lighting conditions: 500-1000 Lux, color 3300-5300 Kelvin (neutral white)

About Surface Finishing Standards

• Cosmetic surfaces comply with our Cosmetic Acceptability Standards
  
• Ensure part consistency from batch to batch
  
• Lots will be inspected as per AQL Level II

Perfect Your Project's Finish

Your designs deserve the best. Enhance durability and appeal with our various finishing options. Part surfacing finishing techniques can either be for functional or aesthetic purposes. Each technique has requirements, such as materials, color, texture, and price. Step up the quality of your projects today!