49861

Is there a common method for hanging parts to reduce shadowing? [Texas] 

September 2, 2008

I am designing a decorative metal faceplate that is done in Chrome and Nickel plating.
The front of the faceplate MUST remain perfect, but we are getting shadowing from the finishing company using a corner of the faceplate opening to hang the part.
The faceplate is milled on a X,Y CNC.

Is there a common feature that I can design into the part that would allow the finishing company to hang the parts without touching the front of the part?

My first thoughts are a undercut loop that would allow the finisher to hook onto but this increases the cost of the milling.

Joshua D
Product Designer - Austin, TX, USA

Hi, Joshua. Not to quibble about words, but while you can "hang" parts for zinc plating, you must "lock" them in place for nickel-chrome plating because a current interuption will ruin them, so you can't rely on gravity. So you need some feature on the back that is grippable in some fashion or other.

You could meet with a rack manufacturer, who would probably love the opportunity to work out a good racking arrangement and then use the opportunity to force himself upon the plating shop :-)

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey