The client required 1000 sets of milled aluminum parts for a smoke grinder, anodized and fully-finished but not too expensive.
Since we specialize in low-volume custom orders like these, we were able to deliver a complete set of parts (cover, housing, and activating lever) for less than they could get in America, and we provide one-stop service from inquiry to delivery, giving the satisfaction service for customer.
PROTOTYPE PRODUCTION
We chose 6061-T6 aluminum for the main parts. This is a commonly available aluminum alloy that machines well, is not too expensive and looks great after anodizing. Also, aluminum is lightweight, making the Snuffmaster easy to carry in a pocket or bag. A 3-axis CNC mill is used to route the profile of the case.
After milling there were some fine machine marks and scratches on the metal. To remove these, all of the parts needed to be placed in a sandblasting chamber and carefully sanded with a fine grit. This gives the parts a uniform matte finish and removes any burrs.
Sandblasting provided the ideal surface texture for accepting the anodizing process. After a thorough cleaning, parts were placed on trees to keep them separate and then dunked into a chemical tank. This is a passivation technique that adds color while increasing corrosion and scratch resistance.
