Finishing should be treated as part of the component design rather than a purely cosmetic operation. Coatings and conversion processes interact with dimensions, threads, electrical contacts, seals, optical surfaces, thermal interfaces, and assembly.
Aluminum Finishing
Aluminum Anodizing
Aluminum anodizing is a surface-treatment process used throughout industrial aluminum products.
Lighting housings, extrusions, brackets, and machined components can be anodized where the finish fits the appearance, wear, corrosion, and functional requirements of the design.
Anodized Aluminum
Finishing Manufactured Housings
Anodized aluminum can be encountered in industrial equipment, electronics, housings, structural components, and finished assemblies.
Critical contact and mating surfaces should be reviewed so the finish does not interfere with functional requirements.
Color
Color Anodizing
Color anodizing can provide visual differentiation or appearance options where the process is appropriate.
Color should not replace functional specification; finish selection must still consider exposure, tolerances, assembly, and product requirements.
Surface Preparation
Finishing Begins With the Underlying Part
Machining marks, casting surfaces, handling damage, contamination, burrs, and fabrication defects can affect the final appearance and performance of a finished component.
Surface preparation requirements should therefore be established before the finishing stage.
Functional Interfaces
Masking and Critical Surfaces
Threads, electrical contact areas, precision fits, grounding surfaces, gasket interfaces, optical seats, and thermal-contact regions may require special consideration during finishing.
Masking or post-finish machining can be appropriate where a surface must remain controlled.
Optical Considerations
Finish Can Affect Stray Light
Interior housing surfaces may influence reflections inside an optical assembly. A finish chosen for an exterior housing therefore may not automatically be appropriate for every internal optical surface.
Lighting Engineering →Selection