Fabrication Processes at Rollyu · Anodizing, powder coating, bead blasting, plating

Anodizing, Powder Coating, Bead Blasting & Plating in Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication

In precision sheet metal fabrication, surface finishing is a critical step that goes far beyond aesthetics. The right finish can improve corrosion resistance, wear protection, electrical insulation, and even enhance downstream assembly and sterilization performance — particularly in industries like medical devices, photonics, semiconductor manufacturing, automation, robotics, and aerospace.

Here’s a technical breakdown of four commonly applied surface finishing techniques for sheet metal components:

1️ Anodizing

In precision sheet metal fabrication, anodizing remains one of the most important and widely specified surface finishing processes — especially for industries where both corrosion resistance and cosmetic appearance are mission-critical.

At Rollyu Precision, anodizing is fully integrated into our controlled production workflow to support industries such as medical devices, photonics, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, robotics, and industrial automation.

What Is Anodizing?

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the surface of aluminum into a stable, durable, corrosion-resistant oxide layer. Unlike coatings or plating that add material on top of the surface, anodizing creates a controlled oxidation layer that becomes part of the metal itself.

• ✅ Non-conductive surface

• ✅ Strong adhesion for dyes and      coloring

• ✅ Excellent wear resistance

• ✅ Superior corrosion protection

• ✅ Minimal dimensional impact      (compared to plating or powder coating)

Types of Anodizing Used in Sheet Metal Fabrication

1️ Type II (Decorative Anodizing)

• Oxide Thickness: 5–25 µm

• Wide color options: clear, black, red, blue, gold, etc.

• Smooth, semi-gloss to matte finish

• Used heavily for medical, photonics, and consumer      electronics

2️ Type III (Hardcoat Anodizing)

• Oxide Thickness: 25–100 µm

• Extremely wear-resistant surface

• Darker appearance (often black or gray)

• Used for robotic arms, mechanical frames, wear-critical      components

Process Type: Electrochemical oxidation (aluminum primarily)
Thickness: 5–25 µm (Type II); up to 100 µm (Type III - Hard Anodizing)
Typical Materials: Aluminum alloys (6061, 5052, 7075, MIC6, etc.)

Benefits:

• Excellent corrosion resistance

• Improved surface hardness (especially hard anodizing)

• Electrical insulation (non-conductive layer)

• Dyeing capability for colored finishes (black, red, blue, etc.)

• Chemically stable for medical and semiconductor environments

• Excellent for cosmetic parts requiring color consistency

Typical Applications:

• Medical housings, enclosures, surgical components

• Photonics brackets and light baffles

• Semiconductor machine covers

• Aerospace structural panels

• Robotic frames and arms

Key Note (Rollyu Precision Practice):

Anodizing is frequently specified for medical and photonics industries, where both cosmetic appearance and chemical stability are essential.

Why Anodizing Is Ideal for Precision Sheet Metal Parts

Common Applications of Anodized Sheet Metal Components

✅ Medical Devices

• Surgical enclosures, housings, instrument panels

• Highly corrosion-resistant and sterilization-stable

✅ Photonics & Optics

• Optical mounts, alignment brackets, light baffles

• Matte black anodizing for anti-reflective surfaces

✅ Semiconductor Equipment

• Vacuum chamber covers, robot arms, fixture frames

• Non-contaminating, cleanroom stable

✅ Robotics & Automation

• Structural arms, enclosures, and guide rails

• Wear-resistant and corrosion-stable

✅ Aerospace

• Lightweight panels and brackets

• Excellent fatigue resistance and UV stability

Anodizing vs Other Finishes

Rollyu Precision: Full-Service Anodizing Expertise

At Rollyu Precision, anodizing is carefully controlled as part of our complete sheet metal fabrication process:

• ✅ CNC laser cutting, punching,      bending, welding, assembly → anodizing in controlled workflow

• ✅ ISO 9001 & ISO 13485      certified processes

• ✅ Engineering support for DFM      (Design for Manufacturability)

• ✅ Full traceability and      documentation for regulated industries

Whether you’re manufacturing the next generation of surgical robotics, photonics equipment, or semiconductor tooling, our team ensures your anodized components meet the highest technical and cosmetic standards.

2️ Powder Coating

In modern precision sheet metal fabrication, powder coating is one of the most versatile, cost-effective, and durable finishing options — widely adopted across industries such as medical devices, laboratory equipment, photonics, semiconductor manufacturing, industrial automation, robotics, and aerospace.

At Rollyu Precision, powder coating is fully integrated into our sheet metal fabrication workflow, ensuring both cosmetic consistency and performance reliability for every part we deliver.

What Is Powder Coating?

Powder coating is a dry finishing process that uses finely ground pigment and resin particles that are electrostatically charged and sprayed onto the surface of sheet metal parts. Once applied, the coated parts are placed into an oven where the powder melts, flows, and chemically cures into a hard, protective coating.

Unlike liquid paints, powder coating contains no solvents and offers superior mechanical, chemical, and cosmetic performance.

Why Powder Coating Is Ideal for Sheet Metal Fabrication

Typical Powder Coating Thickness

• Standard Coating: 50–100 µm      (0.002–0.004 inch)

• Heavy Duty Coating: Up to 150 µm      for high-wear or outdoor components

Materials Commonly Powder Coated

• Aluminum (6061, 5052, 7075)

• Stainless Steel (304, 316)

• Mild Steel / Carbon Steel (SPCC, CRS, HRPO)

Proper pretreatment (such as phosphate coating, chemical cleaning, or bead blasting) is performed prior to powder coating to ensure maximum adhesion and durability.

Typical Applications of Powder Coated Sheet Metal Components

✅ Medical Devices & Lab Equipment

• Instrument panels, enclosures, mobile carts, diagnostic systems

• Smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces that resist sterilization      chemicals

✅ Industrial Automation & Robotics

• Control boxes, machine guards, brackets, frames

• Resistant to mechanical wear and daily operational impact

✅ Photonics & Optical Equipment

• Outer housings, protective covers

• Available in low-glare matte finishes for optical systems

✅ Semiconductor Manufacturing

• Equipment panels, access doors, control enclosures

• Cleanable, non-particulating surfaces compatible with cleanroom      environments

✅ Aerospace & Defense

• Instrument housings, control panels

• Lightweight, durable, corrosion-resistant for extreme      environments

Powder Coating vs Other Surface Finishes

For fabricated sheet metal parts, powder coating offers unique advantages compared to wet painting or other finishes:

Powder Coating Process Flow at Rollyu Precision

At Rollyu Precision, powder coating for sheet metal parts follows a controlled multi-step workflow:

1️⃣ Surface Preparation

• Degreasing and cleaning to remove oils and contaminants.

• Media blasting or chemical pre-treatment (zinc phosphate,      chromate conversion for aluminum).

• Thorough drying.

2️⃣ Powder Application

• Electrostatic spray guns apply powder particles.

• Uniform coverage across flat and complex geometries.

3️⃣ Curing

• Parts enter a curing oven at 160°C to 220°C (320°F to 430°F).

• Powder melts, flows, and chemically cross-links into a durable      coating.

4️⃣ Inspection & Quality Control

• Visual inspection for coverage and color consistency.

• Adhesion, thickness, hardness, and gloss measurements.

5️⃣ Packaging

• Fully cured parts are packaged with protective wrapping to      avoid surface damage during shipment.

Each part is inspected to ensure uniform coverage, color consistency, coating thickness, and cosmetic appearance meets the customer's exact specifications.

Industries Trusting Powder Coating in Precision Manufacturing

• ✅ Medical Devices

• ✅ Laboratory & Scientific      Equipment

• ✅ Semiconductor Tools

• ✅ Photonics Systems

• ✅ Automation & Robotics

• ✅ Aerospace Components

• ✅ Telecommunications

Industry Applications

At Rollyu Precision, powder coating is used across many of the industries we serve:

• Medical Devices

• Equipment frames, housings, enclosures requiring cleanable and       durable surfaces.

• Antimicrobial powders available for hospital environments.

• Semiconductor & Photonics

• Precision enclosures and racks requiring ESD-safe coatings and       smooth non-particulating surfaces.

• Robotics & Automation

• Machine guards, panels, and chassis subject to impact,       abrasion, and handling.

• Industrial Equipment

• Cabinets, junction boxes, electrical enclosures needing       corrosion resistance and insulation properties.

• Telecommunications

• Racks and outdoor enclosures requiring UV and weather       protection.

And more.

Advantages of Powder Coating for Sheet Metal

✅ Durability

Powder coating offers excellent resistance to chipping, scratching, fading, and corrosion — essential for parts exposed to wear, cleaning, and outdoor conditions.

✅ Consistency

The electrostatic process ensures uniform coating thickness, even on complex shapes, holes, and edges.

✅ Environmental Friendliness

Powder coating contains no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), overspray can be recycled, and no hazardous waste is generated.

✅ Cost-Effectiveness

Minimal rework, fast cycle times, and lower reject rates make powder coating a highly economical finishing method.

✅ Aesthetic Flexibility

Wide range of gloss levels, colors, metallics, textures, and special effects (e.g., wrinkle, matte, or anti-microbial finishes).

Design Considerations for Powder Coating

If you’re designing sheet metal parts to be powder coated, consider the following:

• Edge Treatments: Sharp edges should      be deburred and radiused to allow full powder coverage.

• Holes and Slots: Avoid very small      holes that can trap powder and lead to defects.

• Grounding Points: Ensure conductive      grounding points are available for electrostatic attraction.

• Masking: Threads or critical      surfaces may need masking during application.

• Assembly After Coating: Account for      coating thickness (typically 60–120 µm) when designing fits and      tolerances.

Why Choose Rollyu Precision for Powder Coating?

✔ ISO 9001 & ISO 13485 certified
✔ In-house sheet metal fabrication + finishing integration
✔ Cleanroom-compliant powder coating options
✔ Full traceability & inspection documentation
✔ Fast-turnaround prototyping and production
✔ Industry-specific powder formulations (medical, ESD, outdoor-rated)

At Rollyu Precision, powder coating is fully integrated into our sheet metal fabrication workflow, eliminating hand-offs and delivering fully finished parts with superior consistency, cosmetic appearance, and functional durability.

Selecting the right surface finish directly affects corrosion resistance, wear performance, cleanliness, and long-term reliability—especially for regulated and high-precision applications.

If you need support evaluating anodizing or powder coating options, coating thickness, Ra requirements, or design compatibility, our engineering team is ready to help.