Precision Metal Polishing Manual Finishing and Repair of Tool and Mould Surfaces +36-70-243-4593(10:00-
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Polished - but what kind? Why is this question important to you?!

The surface quality specified by the customer is the basis for the polishing work and quotation. In this article, I aim to highlight the fundamental considerations, while I am personally available to assist you with specific questions.

• First of all, I should mention the frequently used term "mirror polish", which on its own is not suitable for defining surface quality, because within what may (in different cases) be referred to as such, price differences of up to 60-80% can occur!

There can be significant differences in the requirements placed on polished surfaces between industries, but also within the same industry. A less expensive household appliance and a premium-category appliance, for example, may require completely different types of surfaces even when the components in question perform the same function.

• If
• the required surface finish has not been clearly specified by the customer, or if the requested finish does not appear to be the most suitable choice for the intended application, please feel free to contact me. For the surfaces I produce, I am always happy to assist in selecting the surface quality best suited to the product.
• Free sample cards are also available, allowing different surface finishes to be viewed, handled and compared in person.
  

• Standards
• are not always straightforward either, partly because several different standards are in use, and partly because their interpretation is not always entirely consistent.
• Personally, I prefer specifying surface finishes either by the abrasive grain size (diamond compounds, polishing stones, abrasive papers, etc.) or by the Ra/Rz roughness parameters, as these can be defined and measured relatively unambiguously.
• Even within these categories, the requirements often need to be further refined according to the specific characteristics of the product. In addition, surface quality affects not only the appearance but also, for example, part release, cycle time and maintenance requirements (see my article "Surface Quality and Cycle Time").
• A single diamond compound grade is capable of producing more than one type of surface finish. For example, a product may need to appear bright and glossy without requiring a scratch-free surface under magnification. In other cases, a perfectly uniform and precisely specified surface roughness may be required, where gloss is of secondary importance. Quite often, both characteristics are equally important.
• For these reasons, it is always worthwhile discussing the available options individually. The range of possible solutions is virtually unlimited, and this is the best way to achieve the optimum balance between performance and cost.