Polished parts

[robmurf]

Hi Folks

I hope someone can help!

I’m looking to get some parts made by emachineshop that I would like to look similar to the parts shown in this the application photo detailed in link below (High end RC chassis).

http://www.emachineshop.com/machine-shop/Chassis-for-high-end-RC-car-mfg/img/page18.html&img_id=15

I just want similar looking pieces I’m NOT making anything to do with Radio Controlled cars or the like!

My questions are:

1. Are these parts laser cut?

2. Is the material Aluminum?

3. If laser cut, the cut edge and corners look nicely rounded and smooth etc. would this have been sanded or finished some other way later to achieve this?

4. The overall surface is nice and shiny! Is this simply polished material (aluminum?) or plated?

Many thanks in advance ANY help really appreciated.


Rob Murf
Northampton UK

[Tech2]

That item was done in Alum 6061. We currently recommend waterjet for such parts. We did not plate the parts. We do not know if the customer plated them. Sanding was specified but should not be necessary with waterjet unless material is over 1/4".
Also, please see Decorative Finishes.

[robmurf]

Thanks very much for quick reply. I'll design my pieces and see how I get on!

It's just the polished finish i'm looking for ultimately and buff polish looks like what it is from the link you provided.

I kind of assumed their piece was polished somehow as I thought you couldn't plate Aluminium (except anodizing?) well not with a polished looking finish anyway??

The polished look shown in your 'buff polished' example looks fine but i was wondering if there was anything more durable as again i'm assuming a polished finish on bare ally would be prone to marking easily or oxidising?

Forgive dumb questions, thanks for help

[Tech2]

Aluminum can be electroplated using the proper process sequence and doing so can retain or even brighten the buff polish. The link I provided previously addresses the durability and the issue of whether to electroplate.

[robmurf]

thanks for help