Industrial finishing enhances the aesthetic or functional properties of a manufactured product using advanced equipment, technology or materials. It alters materials such as metal, wood, thermoplastics and composite materials. Finishing involves adding, removing or modifying materials to give the product desired properties. Finishing can alter the physical appearance of an object by adding or removing materials, add protective coatings, or alter the physical characteristics of the object to give it greater strength or other characteristics.
Industrial finishing encompasses a variety of processes used to enhance the aesthetic or functional properties of a manufactured product. Compared to other types of finishing, industrial processes generally rely on advanced equipment, technology or materials to help these products withstand heavy or abusive use. Industrial finishing can be used to alter many materials, including metal and wood. It is also used on thermoplastics and composite materials. As part of the finishing process, manufacturers add, remove or modify materials to give the product the desired properties.
Before the industrial finishing process, the workers must first manufacture the product from the raw materials. This may include carving an object out of wood or working the metal on a lathe or milling machine. It can also involve molding or extruding molten plastic into the desired shape. Once the objects have been fully formed, industrial finishing is used to prepare them for sale or to customize the object according to the needs of different buyers.
The simplest form of industrial finishing involves altering the physical appearance of an object by adding or removing materials. For metal, this can be as simple as deburring the edges of a cast item to remove chips or flakes. It also includes adding texture using stamping or embossing machines, such as those used to give metal a knurled finish. Finishing can also involve sanding or grinding excess material to create a smooth surface on an object or to give the object a shiny appearance. For example, finishing metal often includes multiple sanding procedures, which can give the metal a satin or mirror finish.
Other industrial finishing processes involve adding protective coatings to the exterior of an object. This includes painting or staining wood, metal, and other materials. It can also involve adding a ceramic glaze to an object or simply creating a UV resistant clear coat. Other specialty finishes, such as powder coating of the metal, may be included in this category.
More advanced finishing typically involves altering the physical characteristics of the object to give it greater strength or other characteristics. This includes carburizing or anodizing the metal to improve its strength and durability. It can also refer to plating procedures, such as electroplating, in which permanent metallic coatings are added to an object. This process also includes processes aimed at improving corrosion resistance, including galvanizing and chemical treatments. These processes not only allow the product to resist moisture and corrosion, but can also improve its thermal or conductive properties.
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