Metalwork
Metal surface finishing: deburring, sanding and polishing
COOLASER, a laser workshop in Italy, in Gaeta (LT), carries out metal surface finishing on stainless steel, aluminium and brass: deburring and chamfering of edges, sanding, mirror polishing, vibratory tumbling and ultrasonic cleaning, including on freshly laser-cut parts. For machine shops, craftspeople, companies and private individuals, with shipping throughout Italy and abroad; the quote is requested through the online form.
What metal surface finishing is and when it is needed
Metal surface finishing is the set of processes that, after cutting, bending or welding, make a part safe to handle, uniform in appearance and ready for assembly, painting or sale. It is needed when burrs, sharp edges, machining marks, visible weld beads or residues remain to be removed. Finishing is one of COOLASER's custom metalworking services and the processes can be combined; a matt satin finish is obtained by bead blasting with glass beads.
Deburring, chamfering and edge finishing after laser cutting
Deburring removes burrs, that is the metal residue left on the edge after cutting or drilling; chamfering breaks the sharp edge with a small chamfer or radius. The edge deburring and chamfering service makes parts safe to handle and ready for bending, welding or painting (paint tends to thin out on sharp edges). Metal laser cutting leaves clean edges, but on the thicker gauges, beyond those that come out with a clean edge, burrs may remain on the underside: post-laser-cutting edge finishing can be requested together with the cutting.
Metal sanding
Metal sanding flattens and evens out a surface with progressively finer abrasives: it removes scratches, machining marks and surface oxide and blends weld beads into the sheet. The metal sanding service also prepares parts for polishing.
Polishing and vibratory tumbling of small parts
Polishing makes a metal surface shine using polishing wheels and compounds; on request it goes as far as mirror polishing on stainless steel, brass and aluminium, where the material allows.
Vibratory tumbling is a mass finishing process: the parts move together with abrasive or polishing media in a tub that vibrates or rotates, and burrs, edges and surfaces become uniform across the whole batch. The small-parts polishing and tumbling service is worthwhile for screws, washers, small brackets, laser-cut parts and small batches, when finishing piece by piece would take too long.
Ultrasonic cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaning is a wash in which the part stays immersed in a liquid through which ultrasound passes: the imploding microbubbles (cavitation) loosen dirt, grease and residues, even from holes, threads and cavities. It is used as the last step, after polishing, blasting or tumbling and before assembly or delivery.
How finishing combines with cutting, welding and marking
Metal finishing follows a precise order relative to the other processes:
- cutting: deburring and chamfering come straight after, then, if needed, sanding or tumbling;
- welding: after laser welding the bead is sanded and blended into the sheet, then polished or satin finished;
- marking: metal laser marking is usually done after finishing, because later sanding or polishing can fade or erase a surface marking.
Cutting, welding, marking and finishing are done in the same workshop, with no handovers between different suppliers.
Metals treated
Finishing is carried out on:
- stainless steel;
- aluminium;
- brass and copper;
- other steels, on request.
Parts can be cut in the workshop or supplied by the customer.
Sizes and limits
Metal finishing is done in the COOLASER workshop, within these limits.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Part size | assessed on the part, from photos and dimensions |
| Vibratory tumbling and ultrasonic cleaning | for small hardware and small parts, also in batches |
| Quantity | from one-off pieces to series, one-time or repeat batches |
| Delivery | shipping throughout Italy and abroad, or, on request, collection from the workshop |
| Lead time | standard, urgent or by a set date, chosen in the form |
How it works
Metal finishing is requested and delivered in three steps.
- Request: photo or drawing, material, quantity and required finish are sent with the online custom request, already set to finishing.
- Quote: the workshop assesses the parts and the finish.
- Work and return: the parts reach the workshop by shipping and go back by shipping throughout Italy and abroad, or, on request, by collection from the workshop; outside the European Union, any duties and customs charges are paid by the recipient.
What to prepare
A finishing quote needs:
- photos of the parts or the drawing (DXF, DWG, STEP, PDF or images; up to 10 files, 20 MB each and 30 MB in total);
- material, dimensions and number of parts;
- the finish required (deburred, sanded, polished, mirror) and any areas not to be touched.
Without files, dimensions and a description are enough.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between deburring and chamfering?
Deburring removes the metal residue left on the edge, chamfering breaks the sharp edge with a small chamfer or radius. They are often done together, after laser cutting.
Can stainless steel be mirror polished?
Yes, mirror polishing can be requested on stainless steel and other metals, where the material and surface allow. Deep scratches and machining marks are first removed by sanding.
Does finishing or laser marking come first?
Usually finishing comes first: sanding or polishing done afterwards can fade or erase a surface marking. Ultrasonic cleaning can be added at the end.
How much does metal finishing cost?
The price depends on the finish, material, dimensions and quantity, and is given in a quote requested through the online request form. The lead time is also chosen in the form: standard, urgent or by a set date.
Metalwork
For machine shops, craftspeople, companies and private individuals, with shipping throughout Italy and abroad; the quote is requested through the online form.