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This article provides some background information on the deburring, coating and tumbling services we offer, as well as other common finishing options.

Tumbling and deburring ceramics are completely free. If you want to laser trim the file’s clean edges, simply select “Remove Burrs” when loading. However, keep in mind that while deburring and tumbling are great ways to smooth out sharp edges, they won’t make your pieces flawless. They may need a little touch-up to make them shine.

Deburring is the most common finishing process. In addition to removing scratches and burrs from the surface, deburring also removes minor defects. Deburring is a simple and effective method and prepares the part for subsequent painting or anodizing. However, the surface of the part after deburring will not be very smooth.

We typically use deburring services on larger parts that are 24″ or less in length at their shortest axis. The deburred part will have scratches and scale removed from one side to smooth it out, so scratches may still be present on the underside of the part. For more information, see our full guide.

The ceramic tumbling process is an Omnidex specialty. Because our equipment is set up, we can crush more material using vibratory milling than is possible using traditional methods. This allows us to use stone cups to ensure a higher level of consistency for your parts.

Tumbling is used for laser cutting very small parts. Our tumbling process can remove burrs from parts as small as 1 square inch, which is much smaller than most deburring processes. While tumbling does smooth out rough edges, it does not give the part a “finished” look. One of the processes we will discuss later in this article is required for truly finished products, as they may still have scratches or marks from the manufacturing process.

Unlike wet paint, powder paint is applied electrostatically after it has begun to dry. A curing oven is then used to complete the coating. Any material that can hold an electrostatic charge can be powder coated. Aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and other metals can be powder coated.

Powder coating is available in the following colors: black (matte, gloss, and wrinkle), red, white, and yellow. The minimum order quantity for powder coated parts is 20 parts in the desired color. Our powder coating service is simple and affordable. Upload your design, choose your powder coating color, and we will do the rest. Be sure to check out our powder coating design guidelines.

Metal panels can be painted to create a very nice rustic look. Stainless steel is especially suitable for painting. Manufacturers can easily do this finishing process themselves. For this process, you will need a sanding belt or roller, 120-180 grit sandpaper, and WD-40. Apply a thin layer of lubricant to the metal, then slowly sand in one direction with the abrasive belt and sandpaper.

The most important thing to remember when painting sheet metal is that if you move the sandpaper too much it will leave marks on the metal, so make sure you apply constant pressure and move the sandpaper in only one direction. To achieve a swirl pattern on the surface, you need to move the sanding belt in concentric motions.

Once sanding is complete, remove any remaining dust with a degreaser. It may take several passes with the sanding belt to achieve the final result, but a little extra effort won’t hurt.

Blast cleaning involves spraying abrasives at high pressure onto a surface to shape, sand, clean, or roughen the surface, depending on the abrasive and method used. Sandblasting is often used in conjunction with pressure washing and is often used to prepare surfaces for painting and other surface treatments. Wet sandblasting is often used in conjunction with pressure washing.

Sandblasting metal panels uses a variety of abrasives, including walnut shells, metal pellets, glass beads, and even dry ice. Sand is one of the most widely used abrasives, which is why sandblasting is often simply called “sandblasting.” Sandblasting can be used on larger surfaces and parts than tumbling.

Blasting can be a dangerous and difficult process, so it is advisable to find a local specialist, but it is common and there are usually a number of local companies offering blasting services.

Before painting a laser cut part, the metal part must be properly prepared. If the part has not been sandblasted, the best way to prepare the part is to clean it with an abrasive and then clean it with acetone (diluted if necessary). In addition to removing any dirt or residue that may affect the smooth surface, this step will also create a rough surface that will allow the paint to adhere easily.

Anodizing involves charging a reservoir of liquid with an electric current and then dipping metal (usually aluminum or titanium) into it. This reaction causes the outer layer of metal oxide to thicken, giving it a tough, scratch-resistant surface. The most common acid used in the reservoir of liquid is sulfuric acid, but chromic acid is sometimes used as well. When anodizing parts, you can choose between a clear or tinted surface.

From an aesthetic standpoint, anodizing is hard to beat. In addition to giving metals an anti-corrosion coating, it is also resistant to heat and electricity, making it ideal for parts exposed to electricity or other elements.

We’ve only scratched the surface finishing iceberg. There are also many different coating processes, such as blackening, chemical etching, dip coating, etc. We’ve only briefly covered each process. If you’re interested in one of these crafts, our experience spans several of these areas, so we’d be happy to help you decide how to complete your project.