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How do you control surface appearance for plastic parts with scratches or flow marks?

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Appearance quality is a core strength. We use a three-stage control process: during machining, sharp tools with high RPM and shallow cuts prevent tool marks and roughness; between processes, all parts are film-wrapped and transferred in individual stations to avoid stacking scratches; before shipping, each piece is inspected under standard light sources against strict criteria for glossy, scratch-free, and blemish-free finishes. Batch consistency is guaranteed by fixed parameters and fixtures, not manual picking.
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Related to How do you control surface appearance for plastic parts with scratches or flow marks?

Yes. Acrylic is one of the few plastics that can achieve a mirror finish directly through cutting. We use single-crystal diamond tools for precision machining, followed by flame polishing or diamond grinding. Surface roughness is consistently controlled within Ra0.4μm, delivering a high-gloss appearance free of scratches or defects, resembling a mirror. No secondary coating is required. For batch production, identical parameters are used to ensure consistent mirror finish quality.

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Scratches on transparent plastic parts mostly occur during handling rather than machining. We isolate processes to prevent damage: protective films are applied throughout, independent trays prevent stacking between stations, and dedicated fixtures ensure proper positioning. Final inspection is performed under standard light boxes to check each unit's appearance. We guarantee a high-gloss, scratch-free, and flawless finish, not just "imperceptible" defects.

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The criteria for judgment are consistent: high gloss, high-shine surface, no scratches, and no defects. The difference lies in the process—aluminum parts rely on anodizing and polishing, while plastic parts use diamond cutting and flame polishing or mechanical polishing. When aluminum and plastic parts are mixed in the same batch, we standardize color swatches and gloss samples to avoid visual discrepancies between the two materials on the same product.

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We focus on volume production with a standard MOQ of 100 units. Unit pricing for plastic parts is highly volume-sensitive—raw materials are purchased in full sheets or bars, so material waste and setup time cannot be amortized below 100 units. Prices drop significantly above 100 units, with a standard lead time of 15-25 days for batch orders.

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Yes, but not all plastics can achieve this. Dense, polishable materials such as acrylic, PC, POM, and PEEK, when processed with diamond tooling and polishing, can consistently reach surface roughness below Ra0.4μm, achieving a high-gloss, mirror-like appearance. Glass or carbon fiber-filled grades, due to exposed fibers, can only achieve a matte or satin finish, which we will clarify in advance.

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