Precision CNC Parts Electroplating

Standard Electroplating Production Guidelines & Core Process

We follow standardized 3-stage plating workflow to guarantee consistent coating quality:

Strict Pre-Plating Surface Preparation

Complete degreasing, cleaning and surface activation to remove oil, oxide and burr, laying foundation for tight coating adhesion without peeling.

Precise Parameter Control

Accurately regulate electrolyte composition, current density, bath temperature and plating duration to stabilize coating thickness uniformity and mechanical property.

Standard Post-Plating Treatment

Multi-stage rinsing, controlled drying and finished quality inspection to eliminate residual chemical and surface defects.

Core Electroplating Working Principle

Immerse workpiece (cathode) and target metal anode into formulated electrolyte solution; electric current triggers metal ion deposition to form compact uniform plating layer on part surface.

Available Plating Metals & Applicable Base Substrates

Common Functional Plating Materials

• Anti-corrosion & hard coating: Nickel, Hard Chrome, Zinc, Zinc-Nickel, Black Nickel, Black Chrome
• High-conductivity precious plating: Gold, Silver, Tin, Tin-Lead
• Intermediate base coating: Copper for subsequent multi-layer plating

Processable Base Materials

Four Main Electroplating Process Categories

• Decorative Plating: Nickel-chrome finish for automotive trim & consumer hardware, focusing on glossy appearance plus mild anti-rust performance.
• Functional Engineering Plating: Hard chrome for hydraulic piston rods, electroless nickel for tooling dies, prioritizing hardness, friction and corrosion resistance.
• Selective Masked Plating: Custom masking to deposit metal only on designated zones, protect critical thread/tolerance areas from extra coating thickness.
• Electroless Plating: Chemical deposition without external power, realizing uniform coating even on irregular inner cavities & non-conductive plastic parts.

Main Industrial Application Fields

• Aerospace & Automotive: Anti-corrosion plating for engine fittings, chassis components and aircraft structural parts.
• Electronics & Connectors: Gold/silver plating to boost solderability and conductivity of pins, chassis and heat sinks.
• Medical & Optical Instruments: Biocompatible plating for diagnostic devices and precision optical hardware.
• Industrial & Textile Equipment: Wear-resistant coating for textile spindles, cutting tools and forming dies.

Unique Advantages of Integrated Machining + In-House Plating

Unlike outsourcing plating to third-party vendors, our one-stop production solves multiple supply chain pain points:

• Full Quality Risk Undertaking: We take overall responsibility from raw material CNC to finished plating; all damaged parts caused by coating will be repaired internally without cross-vendor dispute.
• Precision Tolerance Pre-Compensation: Pre-machine part dimension according to preset plating thickness (5~25μm), guarantee threads and press-fit sizes meet specs after coating.
• Simplified Logistics Management: Single PO, unified shipment and one invoice to shorten project lead time and reduce administrative cost.

Types of Electroplating Processes

• Decorative Plating – Used for appearance enhancement (e.g., nickel-chromium on automotive trim); offers mild corrosion resistance.
• Functional/Engineering Plating – Focuses on wear resistance, hardness, and conductivity (e.g., hard chrome on hydraulic rods, electroless nickel on tools).
• Selective Plating – Deposits metal only on specific areas, commonly used for electrical contacts or repairs.
• Electroless Plating – Relies on chemical reactions (no external current); provides uniform coatings on non-conductive substrates.