Services
Metal Plating & Finishing
Request a QuoteMetal Plating & Finishing
We can offer a class-leading metal plating service, in a wide range of finishes. Metal plating is an important service that allows you to add certain properties, or a protective finish, to your pieces. With a 24-hour turnaround time, we are the perfect candidate to quickly fulfil the metal plating needs of your application. With over 50 years in the metal working industry, you can trust us to deliver metal plating for your business.
What Is Metal Plating?
Metal Plating is the process of depositing a layer of material on a conductive service. This has the effect of changing the finish and can also change the properties of the material. Plating can add resistance to various elements, solderability, conductivity and much more.
Applications of Metal Plating
- Add a decorative finish
- Create corrosion inhibition
- Improve solder-ability
- Alter conductivity
- Add radiation shielding
- Improve paint adhesion
- Harden the surface
- Abrasion resistance
- Improve durability
- Reduce friction
- Non-stick surface
- Many other applications
Tin Plating
Tin plating provides extensive protection to ferrous and non-ferrous surfaces. Tin is also non-toxic, ductile and resistant to corrosion. Tin is also solderable, and Tin Alloys offer softness and lubricity properties.
Nickel Plating
Nickel plating is used in a variety of engineering applications and is therefore an important service for our clients. Our Nickel-Plating service provides outstanding corrosion resistance and a durability finish resistant to wear and tear. Our Nickel plating also provides solderability and is also available as a decorative finish.
We are also able to offer Electroless Nickel plating alongside our normal Nickel-Plating process. For more details contact us below.
Silver Plating
We offer a Silver Plating service, where we can apply a layer of silver to the surface of your material. Silver plating is often used as a decorative finish or used on materials such as copper due to its lower electrical resistance.
Gold Plating
We offer a Gold Plating service, to the same high standards as our other processes. Gold plating has the benefits of corrosion resistance, solderability, conductivity, contact resistance. It can also be used a decorative finish, which is known as decorative plating, discussed more below.
Zinc Plating
Our Zinc Plating provides outstanding resistance to corrosion. Zinc can also be used for decorative appearance and is available in a black finish using a Zinc and Black passivate.
Decorative Plating
We offer a decorative plating surface so you can choose the most aesthetically pleasing finish for your application. We can offer this service for a range of metals, including gold, silver and chrome.
Our full list of plating finishes:
Alochrome
Cad
Electroless
Gold
Hot Tin Dip
Passivation
Silicon Coating
Tin Lead
Zinc Plate
Anodised
Chromate
Nickel PX3
Hard Anodise
Nickel
Silver Plate
Tin Plate
We can offer selective plating, depending on design. If your preferred finish is not listed, do not hesitate to get in touch – we’re sure we can provide a solution for your metal plating needs.
DEDICATED engineering
We understand the importance of skilled engineering when designing components and putting them into production. Therefore, we have heavily invested in a dedicated secondary engineering unit, the aim of this is to offer an even greater service and flexibility to our customers.
Originally set up to provide an in-house solution to support the etching division, it has proven so popular with our customers that we are now offering toolroom, forming and finishing as stand-alone services. This means our customers now have access to a new level of flexibility – enjoying the convenience of full-service manufacture or pick and choose services to suit them. It truly is a complete service.
We continue to offer cutting-edge services and outstanding lead times, and we can do so because of continuous investment in our people and our processes, leading to class-leading output and lead times – including our rapid 24 hour turnaround service.
The benefits of
working with Photofab
We are world leaders in the development of photochemical technology to produce intricately shaped components. We have produced over 70,000 different components over the years and are highly regarded for our chemical etching process. Our engineers offer many services that you can find here, and will offer advice to improve the product and reduce the costs.
24-hour quotation service
Dedicated account managers
Rapid manufacturing service
Cost saving stock of uni-tooling
Etched fold lines for tool-free forming
Full manufacturing service and supply chain management
Access to manufacturing and technical advice and expertise
Quality accredited to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001 and SC21 Bronze
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The key difference
One of the key reasons we enjoy customer retention and longevity is the team of dedicated account managers. This ‘single point of contact’ throughout the whole process, ensures a personal service, and pride in the quality and reliability of the entire Photofab service.
Customers rely on their dedicated contacts’ understanding and in-depth knowledge of their specific requirements and know the highest standards will always be met using the most efficient and cost-effective methods.
This consistent service is the foundation of our customer loyalty and is maintained throughout every department and every stage of production. Put us to the test for your next project and call one of our account managers on 01480 226699 or use our customer enquiry form.
Value added partnerships
We also have long working relationships with specialist partners for additional finishing services. These services can range from laser-cutting, plating, anodising and heat treatments which can add decorative finishes, prevent corrosion, and further improve durability.
All additional processes are managed closely and delivered with full transparency and traceability.
start your production journey today
If you are looking to find a complete service include dedicated engineering to design and implement your solution, get in touch with us. You’ll be given an account manager who is always on hand to advise and take care of everything for you. Call us on 01480 226699 or contact us now to see how we can add an extra dimension to your manufacturing project. Keep up to date by following us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
TAKE A LOOK AT OTHER
SERVICES we offer
Metal Stamping
Metal stamping is best used for high volume applications, as the more volume is produced the better cost effective the initial outlay on the tooling is.
Sheet Metal Forming & Tooling Manufacture
Our metal forming and tooling team have built a wealth of experience and expertise to compliment the established etching division and create a full manufacturing service.
Export
We understand the importance of reliable, high-quality manufacturing for businesses around the world. With an over 55-year legacy in supplying chemically etched components worldwide, our unique combination of versatility and unparalleled service makes us the ideal choice as your export partner. We believe in the power of international collaboration.
Photo Etching
There is a phrase often associated with our photo etching capabilities, “If you can draw it, we can make it”. With over 55 years experience and a large pool of technical knowledge, we are specialists in photo etching of thin metal parts.
Electronic File Handling
Digital files have now become an essential part of our tooling process – digital tooling gives a huge flexibility of design, while allowing our team to easily review and edit designs.
Far East Supply Chain
We offer the option of utilising their strong relationship with a quality manufacturing supply chain in the Far East.
Dedicated Sheet Metal Engineering
We understand that engineering is an essential part of the production journey. That’s why we have heavily invested in a dedicated secondary engineering unit, with the aim of this is to offer an even greater service and flexibility to our customers.
Laser Cutting
Our laser cutting service was created to offer customers precision cutting on materials thicker than 1.5mm whilst maintaining the same standards and quality control as our in-house etching services.
Chemical Milling / Chemical Etching
Since 1968, we have specialised in precision chemical etching, building a reputation as the world leaders through exceptional customer service, lead-times and quality management of chemical etching and value-added services.
Prototyping to High Volume
We offer our services in every possible volume – we can prototype single pieces and scale all the way up to a high-volume production. We offer this flexibility in a range of our industry leading processes.
To find out how we can help you
Get in touch today
