How to Design Better Product Surface Finishing?
Surface finishing is key in ensuring that your product functions optimally and has the desired looks and feels. But achieving a surface finish which meets all the functional and aesthetic parameters is not always easy. Many product designers actually acknowledge that they spend a huge percentage of their design time determining the best surface finish for the product under design. Here are some questions to ask yourself to make sure you choose the right surface finish from the beginning.
Below Are Important Finishing You Can Achieve For Your Products.
We have common product finishing such as anodizing, powder coating, nickel plating, electrochemical polishing, brushing, painting. Here is more key finishing for product design to consider.
- Sanding – This finishing creates a random and non-uniform texture.
- Magnetic polishing – This is used to make deep holes and interior surfaces to be friction-less by using magnetic technology to smooth the interior surface.
- Filing – Most filed surfaces are finished manually. The smoothness of the surface is highly depended on the size of the file grooves used.
- Lapping – Lapping is a precision finishing and gives very smooth and refined surfaces.
- Rumbling and tumbling -Rumbling and tumbling introduces loose abrasives on metal parts reducing the sharp metal points. The abrasive materials which can be used include stones, walnut shells, coarse sand or garnet.
- Sandblasting – This surface treatment involves the use of abrasive materials under high pressure. The final surface is rough and has a higher resistance to corrosion and fatigue pressure.
- Ultrasonic finishing- This method uses ultrasonic spindle vibrating at the speed of 30khz to give a smooth finish to interior parts of a product.
There are certain factors, if put into consideration, will drastically reduce the time spent determining the right surface finish and help you design better product surface finishing. Below are several points we need to consider in order to choose the right finishing for your product and achieve high aesthetics and functional standards.
What’s Your Product Purposed For?
You need to first determine the final application of the product under design. Understanding this will help you evaluate the right surface finish. A product meant to be used in a rugged environment will have a significantly different surface finish, to compare with the chief aim of emphasizing aesthetics. Products which are made to be used in rugged environments such as industrial applications will have a less appealing finish. Since those made purposely for aesthetics and recreational purposes.
Who is the Product For?
A surface finish will be guided by the intended use of such a product. Products such as toys made specifically for children will have more bright colors, will significantly be smooth for easy cleaning, and designed to withstand rough handling. But a product made to be used by adults may lack bright colors and may not necessarily be smooth, though this will depend on the application area of the product.
What Interested Response Do You Want To Inspire?
A surface finish should not be a matter of functionality only. It should also be aesthetically appealing. A surface finish should communicate certain subtle messages and arouse the needed emotional response. Creating such an inspiring finish will need a thorough understanding of the different surface finish design aspects and the skills to incorporate those aspects into the final product.
How Long Do You Want The Product To Use?
Durability is an important factor to consider when choosing the final finish. Evaluate the application of the product and choose a surface finish which will guarantee durability and long useful life. It’s also important to check whether such a product can be recycled or reused. With this information in mind, you will be able to choose the right surface finish for your product.
Does the Material Match the Kind of Finish You Want On It?
There are certain raw materials which may not allow you to achieve the desired surface finish. This implies that you will need to choose a material which aligns with the product application, is durable, and can still allow you to put the desired surface finish on the product.
Will the Surface Finishing You Want Change the Part’s Dimensions?
Dimensions are quite important especially when the product is supposed to fit into another bigger system. If the dimensions of a given part are not right, that specific part may prove to be of little use and a new design will need to be initiated. There are certain surface finishes which will change the part’s dimensions. Consider the allowance level given for that product part to ensure that the desired dimension allowance is observed.
Which Surface Finish is Best For Your New Project?
Do you have a project which you are yet to commence? Or you are stuck on the kind of surface finish you would like the final product to have? You could as well be having a definite surface finish for your product. Just share your best surface finish for your next project with us and let’s start working on your project. Our engineers and designers will get in touch with you and help you design better product surface finishing for your product.
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