Hi to all,
For years I am looking for good anodizers.
I have learned a lot about aluminium alloys during the process,
and in Germany where I live I have tried about a dozen of anodizers,
scattered over the whole country. But almost none of them were able to finish
the surface of my samples like we are accustomed to from our everyday goods like
HiFi, Laptops, objective lenses, smartphones etc.
Most of the samples I tried were dull or had stains,
although the alloy was certificated for decorative anodizing.
Not the silky surface we know for sure, no matter if bead blasted or brushed.
Brushing once was an apprenticeship, this is not done any more, so no one is able to
brush a straight hairline - besides robots that brush parts during mass production.
BTW, this blog of John Seaber from JDS, who makes the OL DAC and EL DAC has my problems a well:
https://blog.jdslabs.com/2013/05/how-to-finish-aluminum/
To give you an idea on how low the standards are:
One anodizer stated the lid of my Macbook, -presented to him as reference for the final look- was made of plastic.
He could not believe the fine silky and scratchless surface was anodized aluminium.
Another anodizer fronm another company was presented a brushed deep black Nakamichi frontpanel.
He insisted the deep black was laquer (like carpaint) what is wrong.
Reason was the deepest black the company could produce with anodizing
was still a dull, dark grey. Dyeing during anodizing is adifferent process than painting.
The metal get porous at one point and sucks the colour like cloth does.
Another Company that has High End Audio manufacturers as customers spoiled the brushing and
colourization as well.
So besides the fact that is very hard to find anodizers who are capable to produce glossy surfaces,
- through bright dipping - it is almost impossible to find one who has the willingness and spirit to take care for detail or thorough quality control.
All anodizers I tried just throw your single part into their bath without adjusting parameters.
I am also sure that none of them gave the parts a glance once they were finished. It is really a mess.
Long Story short:
I put a lot of work into my last design and willing to travel the world for a good result.
This is an international forum, so:
Any tips?
All the best,
Herbert
For years I am looking for good anodizers.
I have learned a lot about aluminium alloys during the process,
and in Germany where I live I have tried about a dozen of anodizers,
scattered over the whole country. But almost none of them were able to finish
the surface of my samples like we are accustomed to from our everyday goods like
HiFi, Laptops, objective lenses, smartphones etc.
Most of the samples I tried were dull or had stains,
although the alloy was certificated for decorative anodizing.
Not the silky surface we know for sure, no matter if bead blasted or brushed.
Brushing once was an apprenticeship, this is not done any more, so no one is able to
brush a straight hairline - besides robots that brush parts during mass production.
BTW, this blog of John Seaber from JDS, who makes the OL DAC and EL DAC has my problems a well:
https://blog.jdslabs.com/2013/05/how-to-finish-aluminum/
To give you an idea on how low the standards are:
One anodizer stated the lid of my Macbook, -presented to him as reference for the final look- was made of plastic.
He could not believe the fine silky and scratchless surface was anodized aluminium.
Another anodizer fronm another company was presented a brushed deep black Nakamichi frontpanel.
He insisted the deep black was laquer (like carpaint) what is wrong.
Reason was the deepest black the company could produce with anodizing
was still a dull, dark grey. Dyeing during anodizing is adifferent process than painting.
The metal get porous at one point and sucks the colour like cloth does.
Another Company that has High End Audio manufacturers as customers spoiled the brushing and
colourization as well.
So besides the fact that is very hard to find anodizers who are capable to produce glossy surfaces,
- through bright dipping - it is almost impossible to find one who has the willingness and spirit to take care for detail or thorough quality control.
All anodizers I tried just throw your single part into their bath without adjusting parameters.
I am also sure that none of them gave the parts a glance once they were finished. It is really a mess.
Long Story short:
I put a lot of work into my last design and willing to travel the world for a good result.
This is an international forum, so:
Any tips?
All the best,
Herbert