Complex Masking: An Aero TMF Specialty Service
It’s not easy to find a precision metal finishing shop that offers complex masking as a service.
The process requires a great deal of expertise, and many shops don’t want to risk making mistakes, scrapping parts, and ruining their reputations.
However, the Aero TMF team is up for the challenge. We are known for our complex masking skills and excel at this service by using cutting-edge methods and materials to deliver quality results.
Why Is Masking Necessary in Precision Metal Finishing?
Masking prevents finishing processes like anodizing, passivation, and chemical film from reaching certain areas of a part. There are several reasons we mask parts, including the following:
Protecting the threading of parts that screw together
Maintaining electrical conductivity after anodizing
Preparing for multiple finishing processes
Meeting specific aesthetic requirements
Typically, we apply masking tape to flat surfaces and plugs to holes. Our team chooses masking materials for a project based on factors like the part material, the temperature to which the part will be exposed, and the finishing service.
We find that wax, red lacquer, and orange peel-off work best for Anodize Type II and Type III. Tape, corks, and plugs are ideal for painting and dry lubrication.
What Makes Masking Complex?
Masking isn’t always complex, but here are some scenarios when it is. Here are a few examples:
The part requires more than one precision metal finishing service
The part must be painted in multiple colors
The part has connectors in various areas that cannot be touched by the finishing process
Complicating matters further is the fact that most customers don’t specify masking requirements for their parts. Instead, they only provide general finishing specifications, such as passivation, anodizing, or chemical film.
Advanced Masking Techniques
Masking is a meticulous process that requires a high level of precision. Most precision metal finishing shops manually mask parts by hand-cutting and applying pieces of tape.
While Aero TMF performs the process manually when appropriate, we employ our die-cut machine for complex masking jobs that are beyond our manual capabilities.
For example, if a customer doesn’t want their logo painted, we use our die-cut machine to make precise cutouts that can be applied to the part. This technique helps us move quickly on complex masking jobs and achieve a high level of precision.
Aero TMF is always looking for ways to enhance our masking process because we’re driven by continuous improvement.
Our shop takes extra steps to ensure complex masking is done correctly by running sample parts and performing multiple first article approvals. We’re also the first shop in the southern California metal finishing industry to implement wax masking.
Aero TMF Is a Leader in Complex Masking
Many precision metal finishing shops shy away from complex masking because the cost of errors is high. In many cases, finishing shops will be charged 3x the processing fee for mistakes made on a customer’s parts.
If another shop botches your order, Aero TMF may be able to help. There’s a chance we can strip the finish, re-mask and re-finish the parts, and save you from having to start all over.
Better yet, save yourself the headache by making us your go-to shop! Our team has more than 20 years of experience in complex masking. Request a quote for our metal processing services today.
