Metal finishing is an important process in multiple industries. It improves the surface of metal parts to meet specific needs. Metal finishing serves various important purposes, such as enhancing strength, appearance, functionality, or removing coatings. These surface alterations by metal finishing machines help achieve specific results, such as preventing corrosion and preserving conductivity levels.
Due to its flexibility, metal finishing is utilized in various sectors. It is used to enhance the durability, performance, and overall look of goods. In the following sections, we explore examples that showcase the use of metal finishing machines in various industries, showcasing their importance and versatility.
Industrial Metal Finishing Machines Across Various Sectors
Metal finishing is present everywhere in our world. From the vehicles we use to the machines in our houses, metal parts often go through finishing methods to enhance their lifespan, look, and performance. Let’s check out a few sectors where metal finishing machines play an important role.
1.Infrastructure and Industrial Components
Metal finishing is mostly used in industrial components, such as bridge girders, railway parts, and other everyday machines. These parts have to face harsh conditions like harsh weather, corrosion, and constant mechanical strain. The durability of these parts would be at risk without correct metal finishing.
Metal finishing methods like electroplating, galvanizing, and powder coating are often used in this field to improve their ability to fight against corrosion and wear. An example would be bridge girders that face the elements of nature daily usually have protective finishes applied to them. The metal finishing helps them endure weather damage for many years. Likewise, railway parts need durable coatings that can withstand continuous motion and friction without any damage to the parts.
Example Case Study: A steel production company that manufactures components for industrial equipment was receiving regular complaints about rust and degradation of their products. Through the use of electroless nickel plating, the company could decrease these problems. They had fewer issues with corrosion, thus lengthening the life of their parts and decreasing expensive replacements.
2.Semiconductors
Semiconductors are crucial in current electronics. They need precise conductivity levels for proper operation. Maintaining conductivity over time depends heavily on the process of metal finishing. The conductivity of metals may decrease over time, but specific methods of finishing can maintain the required levels of conductivity.
Chemical polishing is a method that aids in preserving the conductivity of semiconductors. This process guarantees the semiconductor’s optimal performance over its entire lifespan by improving the metal surface.
Example Case Study: A semiconductor producer making chips for smartphones discovered that with time, the conductivity of their parts decreased. Through the use of a metal anodizing technique, they managed to sustain consistent conductivity over time. They thus could enhance the efficiency and durability of their chips.
3.Communications Equipment
Similar to semiconductors, communication devices such as radios, transmitters, and other electronic parts depend on precise levels of conductivity for signal transmission. Electroplating or anodizing is commonly utilized to enhance the conductivity and function of communication equipment in the long run.
Furthermore, specific finishing methods can offer electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection, crucial for maintaining the integrity of signals. This is especially important in military or aerospace communications, where continuous signal transmission is crucial.
Case Study Example: A telecommunication company that manufactures satellite communication antennas faced signal loss problems because of inadequate surface conductivity. They overcame this problem by using copper plating on wires. This improved the signals to be clearer and last long enough.
4.Automotive and Heavy Machinery
From vehicles like cars, motorcycles, and tractors to other gadgets, automobiles need metal polishing and finishing. This is to increase both their aesthetics and functionality. In cars, the metallic parts have to cope with high temperatures and wear and tear. They also have to cope with contact with different climatic conditions and still function well.
Polishing metal in specific areas can help engines and other internal components operate more smoothly by decreasing friction. The finish of the vehicle’s exterior is enhanced, and it is also better protected against rust and environmental attack by powder coating or anodizing.
Example of a case study: A luxury automobile manufacturer had problems with the early failure of internal engine parts due to friction issues. They reduced internal friction with the addition of a DLC coating. This coating helped to improve the overall engine performance and the life expectancy of the vehicle.
5.Food Processing Industry
Food processing equipment needs to adhere to stringent hygiene standards. These metal surfaces require resistance to bacteria and should allow easy cleaning. Metal finishing methods like electropolishing are used to guarantee that food processing machinery has a bacteria-resistant, smooth, and clean surface. This procedure is especially crucial in avoiding contamination while producing food.
Apart from cleanliness, all food processing equipment needs to be resistant to corrosion. This is because they come constantly into contact with water and cleaning substances. Another process is passivation. This metal finishing process removes impurities from the surfaces of stainless steel. It helps the steel to stay rust-free and corrosion-resistant.
Case Study Example: A food processing company could not clean their equipment regularly because of the inability to clean some areas where the contaminants had accumulated. On replacing with electropolished equipment, the facility improved cleanliness a lot. They could reduce contamination risks in addition to compliance with the prescribed laws on food safety.
6.Consumer Appliances
Household appliances contain metal parts. Being in contact with water, detergents, and various chemicals, they are vulnerable to rust and deterioration. By inhibiting rust, metal finishing helps prevent corrosion of these parts of appliances.
Using powder coating on metal appliance parts makes the surface resistant to rust. In addition, galvanizing or zinc plating methods also help to safeguard metal surfaces from rust and corrosion. This enables the device to stand up to regular wear and tear.
Case study example: A washing machine appliance manufacturer had feedback coming that rust was appearing on the appliance. By applying a powder coating technique, durability to moisture improved. This resulted in an extension in the lifespan of the appliances and, in turn, customer satisfaction.
7.Water Treatment Facilities
Water treatment plants depend on many metal components which are in touch with water at all times. Without proper processing, the metal parts will rust away in no time and degrade fast, and this affects the water treatment capability of the facility concerned. Galvanizing or epoxy coatings applied to these components by metal finishing machines very often protect them from corrosion and give them a long life.
Example of a case study: The water treatment plant experienced problems with metal components rusting often. Through the incorporation of zinc coating on all metal components, there was a notable decrease in maintenance expenses. This enhanced the overall productivity of the facility.
Conclusion: Why Metal Finishing Matters
Metal finishing is one of the processes that give value addition to the function, life, and appearance of metal parts in a number of industries. Metal finishing machines plays a vital role in continuing the performance and operating efficiency of such products. These include semiconductors, automotive parts, food processing equipment, and more. These processes help in maintaining conductivity, durability, and hygiene in metal parts.
About Kramer Industries
Kramer Industries has the solution for any of your metal finishing needs, providing you with just the right equipment and service for those needs. From a large range of metal finishing machines to warranties on high-quality products for a variety of industries, we have you covered. You can contact Kramer Industries for all your needs related to professional and trustworthy metal finishing.
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