Surface finishing
Surface finishing
We work with pieces of all sizes from approx. 3x3x3 mm up to A4 size and larger, and integrate all requirements to find the right solution for every material. These include metal, aluminium and different types of plastic. Surface finishes can be carried out in RAL, NCS or Pantone colours. Modern machines give us great flexibility in our work and allow us to intervene in the process chain to create highly specific and custom-designed products.
Depending on the size, shape and amount, pieces can be finished by hand or in a fully or semi-automated process, as well as in high volumes. Our services include general coatings, UV coating, nano coating, PVD coating, printing and sandblasting small pieces.
Coating
Coatings fulfil both decorative and functional purposes. Individual finishes and on-trend colours add value to a product, while the coatings themselves can also provide stainproofing, UV-resistant and antislip properties.
We coat semifinished products by hand or with a machine, depending on their size and shape and the number. A core consideration is always how to achieve the highest possible quality in the best and most efficient way.
Generally speaking, the coating process always runs along the same lines: 1. Preparing the base pieces, 2. Coating the pieces, 3. Checks.
In our workshops, we use 100% checks to ensure high quality standards for our finished pieces. This means that every single piece is checked with a visual inspection or using a precision magnifier to ensure a flawless finish.
Our coating machines also conserve energy, giving us a heat recovery rate of around 30%.
PVD coating technique
PVD coating technique
With the PVD technique, an ultra-pure, hard metal coating material such as titanium, chrome or aluminium is placed in a vacuum and either evaporated by applying hot steam or is deposited under ion bombardment in a sputtering process. At the same time, a reactive gas such as nitrogen or a gas containing carbon is introduced into the vacuum. This gas bonds with the metal vapours and deposits itself on the components as a thin, durable coating.
A uniform coating thickness is achieved by turning pieces at a constant speed across several axes. The PVD sputtering process is particularly effective at creating attractive colour designs.
Printing techniques
Pad printing
Pad or transfer printing allow customised and detailed motifs to be printed very accurately on surfaces. Our fully automatic four-colour printing machine carries out high-volume print runs with four different colours in a one-stage process.
Screen printing
Screen printing is a method of printing larger motifs accurately on flat surfaces.
It also permits targeted variations in the application and transparency of colours.
What both print techniques have in common is that the thickness of the ink layer can be limited to just a few microns and the inks dry very quickly.
Digital printing process
Whether it’s metal, aluminum, plastic, wood, glass, banners, paper or coated parts – digital printing enables most materials to be printed on directly, under given conditions. Appropriate pre-treatment can also help to make an object more printable. Printing takes place without a fixed static form, eliminating the need for time-consuming and costly preparation work. The printing ink is sprayed precisely onto the object at the push of a button.
We can print parts of up to 50 kg with maximum dimensions of 2,500 mm x 1,300 mm x 50 mm for you – even if slightly curved. You can select a resolution of 300 dpi, 450 dpi, 600 dpi, 900 dpi or 1,200 dpi for the printing. If required, a protective coating with various gloss levels can also be added to the printing using a lacquer.
Sandblasting (small pieces)
We use sandblasting on the surfaces of small pieces to clean and matt materials, while also removing all traces of any unwanted elements such as rust or colour coatings. Sandblasting also creates decorative patterning and is used to roughen surfaces in preparation for subsequent coating.
We paint, print and coat all types of materials, from individual parts to large series, and always advise you on the best solution for you. With a high level of technical, development and process competence in surface finishing, we have been supporting our customers for over 20 years with our long-standing employees - innovative, agile and very efficient.
m+m colordesign AG
Lengnaustrasse 10
CH - 2540 Grenchen
+41 32 653 60 40
info@mmcolordesign.ch