More than 60 options for surface finish are available for your choice

Not only do we offer quality prototypes and machined parts, but also excellent surface finish.

What's Surface treatment

Surface treatment is a series of processes used to change the surface properties of materials. These properties may include appearance, surface roughness, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, hardness, lubricity or adhesion. The purpose of surface treatment is to improve the performance of the material, extend the service life, enhance safety or improve the appearance. Surface treatment is the final key step before the product is put into actual use.

2015

ISO 9001 CERTIFIED

100+

CNC machines

10K+

CNC machined parts/ month

100+

Plastic & metal materials

Advantages of Surface treatment

At Brightstar, for the appearance and roughness or other performance requirements of the product, whether it is CNC machining, polyurethane casting, sheet metal, or 3D printing parts, we are committed to providing customers with excellent product surface treatment services.

With our rich internal technology and a wide range of solid high-quality surface treatment suppliers, we can finely process the product surface to ensure that the color, texture, gloss and surface finish of the parts meet the requirements and exceed your expectations.

Brightstar CNC machining Capabilites

Brightstar delivers a comprehensive suite of CNC machining services including CNC milling and CNC turning of a wide range of materials, also CNC milling turning, CNC 5-Axis machining, CNC precision machining, CNC rapid prototyping, CNC Electrical Discharge machining (EDM), CNC wire EDM,CNC waterjet cutting, grind machining, CNC drilling, CNC boring, CNC cutting, laser cutting, CNC engraving, polishing, thread tapping, Riveting...etc. equiped with advanced CNC machines and professional team, specialize in handling complex, precision, or special requirement ,ensure customer needs are met with excellence.
CNC Milling
CNC milling is a machining process to remove material and shape the workpiece. Brightstar has over 100 milling machines for rapid prototyping and custom machining of metal and plastic parts.
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CNC turning
CNC turning is a precision process using a CNC lathe to shape parts by cutting bar or tube materials. It creates external geometries, internal holes, and threads.
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5 Axis Precision Machining
5-axis CNC machining is a precise and efficient technology that can process complex parts with curved or intricate profiles in multiple directions at once.
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Precision CNC Machining
Brightstar utilizes high-precision machines and advanced manufacturing technologies to perform high-precision mechanical machining on metals and other materials, meeting the high-precision requirements for parts in industries such as aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and medical devices. Brightstar 's precision linear tolerance can achieve ±0.005mm or even higher requirements.
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Why cooperate with Brightstar's in custom machining services?

Quality has always been the guideline for Brightstar Behavior, which is the biggest reason for customers to choose and trust Brightstar and maintain stable cooperation. We strictly follow the ISO 9001 certified quality management system standards and have also obtained the iso 9001 2015 certification. Through rigorous inspection methods such as IPQC, FAI, and FQC, a series of quality inspections and controls, and the use of advanced detection tools, we ensure that the precision and quality of each product meet or even exceed customer requirements.
High Quality
Diversity in material selection and surface treatment
Cost-effectiveness
High customization
Fast delivery capability
The ability to provide comprehensive solutions

John Doe

XYZ Inc.

Over 50K projects have been sent to global customers, with only 1.25% issues, which we addressed promptly as required by customers.

Collis Ta'eed

Envato Inc.

With more than 100 types of manufacturable materials to choose from, including metals and non-metals, and our long-term cooperation with high-quality surface treatment suppliers

Steve Jobs

Apple Inc.

CNC affordable price, Our efficient production capacity and cost control can save you about 30%- 50% of the cost

lynx

boss

Advanced processing technologies and internal facilities give us the ability to quickly and highly customize

Isabel M.

SEO Manager

machining can be completed in as soon as 3 days, and global express delivery can reach you in 3-4 days.

Alex Ross

Patient

Brightstar can provide one-stop services, including DFM, Non-standard manufacturing, and post-processing, to provide customers with a comprehensive rapid prototyping solutions.

Application of CNC machined parts

CNC machining is an automated manufacturing process that can produce a variety of complex precision parts with high accuracy, covering airplane parts (such as engines, landing gear, satellite parts,Aircraft Parts,rivet), custom car parts (such as auto prototype, engines, gearboxes, brake systems,custom chassis), custom motorcycle parts, motorcycle prototypes. Medical devices and implants (such as surgical tools, implants, and medical device prototyping), machinery and equipment parts (such as gears, bearings, gaskets, flanges and millions of machined aluminum parts), electronic equipment parts (such as electronic prototype, mobile phone prototype housings, laptop computer custom components, electronic parts) and precision instruments (such as watch parts, electrical components, connectors, switches). It is also used to make molds and fixtures to support other manufacturing processes such as injection molding.

Gallery of our CNC Machined Parts

Our CNC machined prototypes and parts are widely used in electronics, aerospace, automotive, medical, automation and other fields.

Process: CNC turning+ milling

Material: stainless steel 316

Tolerances: ⌖0.05mm

Finishes: As machined (Ra0.8μm/1.6μm)

automation-cnc-turning--stainless-steel-joint--rod

Process: CNC turning

Material: stainless steel

Tolerances:◎ 0.05mm;

Finishes: Bead blasted, Clear anodized

automation-machine-aluminum-cnc-machining-cooling-plate

Process: CNC milling

Material: aluminum alloy

Tolerances: //0.2; ⌖0.05mm

Finishes: Bead blasted, Clear anodized

5-Axises-CNC-Machining-Metal-Precise-and-Complex-Prototypes

Process: CNC milling

Material: aluminum alloy

Tolerances:  ISO 2768-m

Finishes: As machined 1.6μm

cnc-turning-aluminum-part-motor-front-cover

Process: CNC turning + milling

Material: aluminum 6061

Tolerances:  ISO 2768-m

Finishes: Bead blasted, Clear anodized

Custom-Cnc-Mechanical-Aluminum-Plate

Process: CNC milling

Material: Aluminum 5083

Tolerances: ISO 2768-F

Finishes: Polishing

custom-non-standard-stainless-steel-cnc-parts-precision-shaft

Process: CNC turning + milling

Material: stainless steel 304

Tolerances: H6(0.016mm); h6(0.025mm); G5(0.018mm); ⌖(∅0.2mm)

Finishes: As machined Ra0.8μm

high-persion-aluminum-cnc-machining-medical-parts

Process: CNC milling

Material: aluminum 7075

Tolerances: ISO 2768-F, ▱ 0.1mm

Finishes: Polishing

CNC machined materials

Understanding the material characteristics and processing requirements is crucial to CNC machine. In the field of metal CNC machining and plastic CNC machining, Brightstar's prototypes, custom metal parts and CNC plastic machining parts commonly used materials include various types of metal, plastics and composite materials. The following are some common CNC machining materials and Its characteristics:

Metal materials include steel vs aluminum, inox steel, copper, iron, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, tungsten etc.

Machinable plastics include delrin material(POM-H), ABS, nylon, polycarbonate (PC), polyoxymethylene (POM),  polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), etc., as well as polyethylene (PE), UHMW, polypropylene (PP), polyetherketone (PEEK), polyethylene terephthalate(PET), PBT, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Acrylic, PA (Nylon), PU, Teflon,​PS, ... and other materials

Other special materials: such as carbon fiber reinforced materials, glass fiber reinforced materials, ceramics, etc.

If you need to know more about material properties or want to know more about processable materials, please contact us

CNC Metal Machining
We can manufacture more than 100 kinds of metal materials. Our CNC metalworking technology can ensure tight tolerances, fast delivery cycles and meet the most difficult manufacturing needs, whether in prototyping or final product production.
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CNC Plastic prototyping
CNC machining of plastic materials is quite extensive, with over 40 types of engineering-grade plastics that we can process, achieving excellent product structure and functionality, and are capable of undergoing mechanical testing.
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Common Surface Treatment Processes

name Can BeApplled with
Anodizing

Anodizing is an electrolytic process used primarily for the treatment of aluminum and aluminum alloys. In this process, the metal is placed in an electrolyte as an anode, and an electric current is passed through the metal surface to form an oxide film. 

Sand Blasting

Sandblasting is the process of using abrasive particles ejected at high pressure and at high speed to remove the oxide layer, rust or old coating on the surface, making the rough surface smooth and improving the adhesion of subsequent coatings.

Powder Coating

Powder Coating is an electrostatic spraying technology that charges the powder coating and adsorbs it on the surface of the object. After high-temperature baking, the powder melts and fixes on the object.

Painting

Painting is the process of spraying liquid paint evenly on the surface of an object in a mist form through a spray gun to form a smooth coating. One or more layers of paint are applied to the surface to provide protection, decoration or special functional coatings.

Electroplating

Electroplating is a process that uses the principle of electrolysis to plate a thin layer of other metals or alloys on the metal surface, such as nickel, chromium (chroming), zinc (Galvanizing), silver, rose gold, etc. 

Silk printing

Silk printing, Silk screen printing, full name screen printing, screen printing is a printing technique that uses a mesh-like screen to transfer ink to the surface of various materials. 

Knurling

Knurling is a manufacturing process,typically conducted on a lathe, whereby a patterm of straight,angled or crossed lines is rolled into product surface.

Gilding

Gilding is an ancient decorative technique that involves applying a thin layer of metal, usually gold or silver foil, to the surface of various materials to give them a unique beauty and a regal appearance.

Grinding

Grinding is a common surface treatment process. Its purpose is to remove irregularities, burrs, rust or other defects on the surface of the material by physical or chemical means to make the surface smoother, flatter and cleaner. 

Polishing

Polishing is a processing method that uses abrasive particles or other polishing media and flexible polishing tools to remove fine scratches and flaws on the surface of the workpiece.

Wire Drawing

The main purpose of wire drawing is to form lines on the surface of the metal workpiece by physical grinding, reflecting the texture of the metal material and playing a decorative effect.Wire drawing is widely used. 

Passivation

Passivation is a process that uses strong oxidants or electrochemical methods to cause an oxidation reaction on the metal surface, remove iron ions on the surface, form a dense passivation film, and thus improve the corrosion resistance of parts.

Heat Treatment

Heat treatment process is to heat the workpiece to an appropriate temperature in a certain medium, keep it at this temperature for a certain period of time, and then cool it at different speeds in different media to control.

Chemical conversion coating

A chemical conversion coating is a layer of film formed on a metal surface by a chemical reaction. This layer is usually a stable compound formed by the reaction of the metal with a specific chemical treatment solution. 

Bluing

Bluing is a chemical oxidation treatment process for metal surfaces. Its purpose is to improve the rust resistance of metals (especially steel) and give the metal surface a blue protective film. Bluing treatment is usually carried out at a higher temperature, about 550°C.

Blackening

Blackening is also a chemical oxidation treatment process for metal surfaces. Blackening is carried out at a lower temperature, usually between 130°C and 150°C, to form a black oxide film. 

laser engraving

Laser engraving is a process that uses a high-energy laser beam to precisely cut, mark or engrave the surface of a material. This technology can be performed on a variety of materials, including but not limited to metal.

Vapor Polishing

Vapor polishing is a surface treatment process used to improve the transparency and gloss of plastic parts. This technology uses a chemical vapor phase, usually a pressurized air flow.

texture

texture, It mainly uses chemical solutions to create various patterns on the surface of different metal products. It can not only enhance the appearance and texture of the product, but also improve the functional properties of the product.

Plastic coating

Plastic coating is to wrap a layer of soft rubber on the surface of hard Workpiece to make them feel textured. The core is to use the unique properties of silicone to evenly wrap silicone rubber on the surface of other materials.

Dyeing

Dyeing is a process of immersing product pieces in a dye solution that has been matched to the customer's desired color, thereby changing the color of the product. This treatment can enhance the product's appearance, durability, and provide certain protective effects.

CHROMATE oxidation

CHROMATE oxidation is indeed a chemical conversion coating treatment technology. The main components of the chromate conversion coating are compounds of trivalent chromium and hexavalent chromium, as well as chromate salts of the base metal.

Bead blasting

Bead blasting is a surface treatment process, a type of sandblasting. It uses high pressure to propel small beads (usually spherical particles made of glass, ceramic or metal) against the surface of a material to clean or change its surface texture. 

water transfer printing

Water transfer technology is a printing technology that uses water pressure to transfer the transfer paper/plastic film with colored patterns to the surface of products of various shapes through the force of water.

Brushing

Brushing technology is the use of abrasive brushes or pads to create a textured surface, thereby improving the visual appeal and functionality of the material. Brushing can produce straight lines or specific patterns of textures.

Vacuum Metalizing

Vacuum Metalizing is a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technology that forms a metal film by evaporating and depositing metal onto a non-metallic substrate in a vacuum environment. 

Hand Finishing

At Brightstar, we have a group of skilled workers who perform a series of post-processing by hand. This process involves the meticulous modification and perfection of parts or products to ensure that they meet the design specifications and functional requirements. 

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Surface roughness Surface roughness

In machining, machined parts will leave traces along the cutting tool path. If the customer requires no additional surface treatment after machining, only a small amount of manual burr removal is required, and the parts can be completed and delivered quickly after the machine is off the line. Generally speaking, the roughness of milling can reach 3.2 microns (Ra). By optimizing the machining conditions, the surface roughness can reach 1.6 microns (Ra) or finer. The surface roughness of rough turning is about 2.5 Ra, and the surface roughness of fine turning can reach 0.2 to 1.6 microns.
Linear dimension tolerances, as per ISO 2768-1, without specific indications, are provided in millimeters
Surface roughness level comparison and application
International Marking
Rz
Ra
Surface Shape Characteristics
Processing Methods
N12
200
50
Clearly visible tool marks
Sawing, rough turning, rough milling
N9
25
6.3
Visible tool marks
Cold drawing, fine turning
N6
6.3
0.8
Identifiable tool mark direction
Grinding, diamond turning tool finishing
N3
0.8
0.1
Matt gloss finish
Grinding, polishing, fine grinding

Following the below steps to get CNC prototypes or machined parts

01
Upload your CAD file
Simply upload your files or project details directly to our quote page.
02
DFM analysis and quote
We will provide manufacturing analysis and real-time quotation within 12 hours
03
Start Production
Upon receipt of your confirmation, we immediately start 24/7 production based on your CAD design
04
Get Your Parts
Your product will be produced and shipped within a few days

Quick Guide to Surface Treatment Design

Why do we need surface treatment?
Surface treatment can improve the surface quality of materials, improve their corrosion resistance, wear resistance, appearance and texture, and provide specific functions. For example, anodizing can produce an aluminum oxide film on the aluminum surface, providing protection and decoration; while etching can remove specific areas of the metal surface through chemical solutions to form a concave-convex or hollow effect.
What are the common methods for metal surface treatment?
Common methods for metal surface treatment include anodizing, electroplating, spraying, sandblasting, phosphating, bluing, passivation, chemical conversion film treatment, etc.
What is the best method for metal polishing?
Metal polishing requires a comprehensive consideration of factors such as the types of metals, the required surface roughness, the shape and size of the workpiece, as well as production efficiency and cost. For example, for stainless steel parts that require a high gloss and complex shapes, electrolytic polishing may be the best choice.
What are the common problems and preventive measures in stainless steel surface treatment?
Possible problems in stainless steel surface treatment include rust, weld defects, inconsistent surfaces, and scratches that are difficult to remove. Preventive measures include choosing a suitable surface treatment method, ensuring uniform pickling and passivation treatment, and avoiding scratches caused by human factors.
What are the plastic surface treatment technologies?
Plastic surface treatment technologies include in-mold decoration technology (IMD), spraying, NCVM non-conductive vacuum plating, electroplating, printing, laser carving, biting, etc.
What is the impact of surface treatment on product life?
Surface treatment can improve the durability and life of the product, and help extend the service life of the product by reducing friction, increasing hardness, improving corrosion resistance, etc.

Answers about surface treatment

What is the main purpose of aluminum alloy anodizing?

Anodizing is used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of aluminum alloys, improving the material's corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and providing a better surface for paint and primer adhesion. This process is widely used in the aerospace, automotive, construction and consumer goods industries.

What's the main funcation of aerospace manufacturing coatings

The main functions of aerospace coatings include providing thermal protection, anti-oxidation, anti-corrosion, radiation resistance, improving material durability, and enhancing stealth capabilities. These coatings can protect the surface of aircraft from extreme temperatures, pressures, friction, and radiation, thereby extending the service life and safety of aircraft.

What is the future development trend of surface treatment technology?

The future development trend of surface treatment technology is to develop in a more environmentally friendly, energy-saving, and efficient direction. For example, new technologies such as low-temperature chemical vapor deposition technology, plasma enhanced technology, and high-energy plasma surface coating technology are used to reduce energy consumption and environmental pollution while improving product performance and life.

What are the common problems and solutions in metal surface treatment?

Possible problems in metal surface treatment include incomplete oil removal, incomplete rust removal, and rust after surface treatment. Solutions include choosing a suitable degreasing agent, extending the degreasing time, increasing the degreasing liquid temperature, increasing the degreasing agent concentration, and regularly cleaning the nozzle.

What are the new surface treatment technologies?

New surface treatment technologies include low-temperature chemical surface coating technology, ultra-deep surface modification technology, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, physical and chemical vapor deposition technology, and high-energy plasma surface coating technology.

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