subsearobot
Mechanical
- Jan 19, 2007
- 217
Hi!
I have been building prototypes on a commercially available 6063 seamless tubing extrusion. the tube has a very nice mirror like finish out of the box. I contacted the vendor requesting a surface specification, and they do not have one. what you see is what you get. I am having several holes machined into the tubes.
I am moving toward production of a high end consumer product, so I need a decent and repeatable finish. I plan on a clear anodize, class 1 or 2, type II.
prior to anodize, I am considering a bead blast, but would prefer to not add another step to the manufacturing process. Is there a chemical treatment pre-treatment that will make a more satin like finish? the aluminum tubes will be in a high-wear consumer environment (think camping gear), so I am leery that having a nice mirror like finish, while pretty at first, will highlight inevitable scuff marks from normal use.
the simplest thought would be to have the shop steel-wool the parts prior to clear ano. any thoughts there? I've seen it work well with hard black coatings, but no experience with clear.
thanks!
I have been building prototypes on a commercially available 6063 seamless tubing extrusion. the tube has a very nice mirror like finish out of the box. I contacted the vendor requesting a surface specification, and they do not have one. what you see is what you get. I am having several holes machined into the tubes.
I am moving toward production of a high end consumer product, so I need a decent and repeatable finish. I plan on a clear anodize, class 1 or 2, type II.
prior to anodize, I am considering a bead blast, but would prefer to not add another step to the manufacturing process. Is there a chemical treatment pre-treatment that will make a more satin like finish? the aluminum tubes will be in a high-wear consumer environment (think camping gear), so I am leery that having a nice mirror like finish, while pretty at first, will highlight inevitable scuff marks from normal use.
the simplest thought would be to have the shop steel-wool the parts prior to clear ano. any thoughts there? I've seen it work well with hard black coatings, but no experience with clear.
thanks!
