Surface Finishing
CipherFab offers over 30 surface finishes across CNC machined, sheet metal, and 3D-printed components — selectable and priced in real time at the point of quote. No separate finishing vendor. No added lead time. No back-and-forth emails.
From Production to Finished Surface
CipherFab offers over 30 surface finishes across CNC machined, sheet metal fabricated, and 3D printed components — selectable and priced in real time at the point of quote. No separate finishing vendor. No added lead time. No back-and-forth emails requesting finish specifications after the order is placed.
Every finish is integrated into CipherFab's quoting workflow — you select material, process, and finish in a single configuration step, and the quote reflects the full cost and lead time of the finished component. Finishing is not an afterthought. It is part of the manufacturing specification.
Finishes We Offer
| Finish | Standard | Applicable Materials |
|---|---|---|
| As-Machined | Ra 3.2 μm | CNC Machining |
| Bead Blasting | Ra 1.6–3.2 μm | Metals |
| Type II Anodizing (clear) | MIL-A-8625 Type II | Aluminium |
| Type II Anodizing (colour) | MIL-A-8625 Type II Class 2 | Aluminium |
| Chem-Film (Alodine) | MIL-DTL-5541 | Aluminium |
| Electroless Nickel | MIL-C-26074 | Steel, Aluminium |
| Passivation | ASTM A967 | Stainless Steel |
| Electropolishing | ASTM B912 | Stainless Steel |
| Powder Coating | 200+ RAL colours | All metals |
| Black Oxide | MIL-DTL-13924 | Steel |
| Gold Plating | MIL-G-45204 | Metals |
| Laser Marking | Permanent | All |
How the Finishing Process Works
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Finish selection at quote | Customer selects finish in CipherFab's quoting interface — cost and lead time updated in real time. |
| 2. DFM review for finish | CipherFab's engineering team confirms the selected finish is compatible with the component geometry — flagging thin sections where hard anodizing may close tolerances, or features requiring masking. |
| 3. Masking specification | Threads, precision bores, mating faces, and electrical contact surfaces requiring masking are identified and specified before finishing begins. |
| 4. Surface preparation | Components cleaned, degreased, and pretreated — iron phosphate or zinc phosphate for powder coating; alkaline etch for anodizing; acid passivation for stainless. |
| 5. Finish application | Finish applied per specified standard and thickness requirement. |
| 6. Finish verification | Finish thickness measured (where applicable), colour checked against RAL reference, adhesion tested on powder coat and paint finishes. |
| 7. Post-finish inspection | Critical dimensions re-verified after finishing where coating build-up may affect tolerances. |
| 8. Shipment | Finished components packaged with finish specification documentation and CoC. |
Why Surface Finishing Matters
Integrated finishing eliminates secondary vendor management, reduces total lead time, and ensures finish specifications are locked in at the point of quote.
Real-time pricing for 30+ finishes means no surprise costs after the order is placed — every finish is part of the manufacturing specification from the first quote.
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