Primary process: Electroplating. The full route, materials, tolerances and design tips for a plating, with an indicative cost.
ElectroplatingPrimary process
SurfaceFamily
5Route steps
A plating is primarily made by Electroplating. Electroplating deposits a thin metal layer (zinc, nickel, chrome and others) on a part electrochemically for corrosion resistance, wear or appearance. Below is the full route to make a plating, the materials it suits, the tolerances to expect and the main design points. The route is free, from the finder.
Step by step
How a plating is made
The usual route, raw material to finished part. The amber step is where the plating gets its basic shape.
Make the part
Form and finish-machine the plating to size first.
Tooling None Tolerance ±0.125mm, to ±0.025mm Lead 1 to 10 days
Clean and mask
Clean the surface and mask the areas that must stay bare.
Electroplating
Apply the electroplating to the plating.
Tooling Low Tolerance adds microns Lead days
Post-finish
Seal, cure or re-grind any surface that changed dimension.
Inspection
Check coating thickness, hardness or adhesion.
Need the real cost for a plating? The free route above is yours. Unlock the full dossier to quote and source it.
General pointers. The full design-for-manufacturing list for a plating is in the dossier.
Plating build-up on threads/fits.Allow for thickness or mask.
Deep recesses (poor coverage).Open geometry.
Cost
What a plating should cost
Electroplating for corrosion, wear, conductivity or looks; priced by area and plating metal/thickness.
PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for a plating at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$3.8 to 11per part at 1 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
GET THE FULL DOSSIER
Everything you need to quote and source it
The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on a plating and buy it well:
Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
A quote checker that tells you if a supplier quote is fair, and the red flags to watch
SistematikWork is a whole IE platform. Past the free finder, there are 41 ready Excel calculators, templates and CAD guides, each built from real coursework and checked against known values.
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A plating is primarily made by electroplating. The route is: Make the part; Clean and mask; Electroplating; Post-finish; Inspection.
What does a plating cost?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $3.8 to 11 per part at 1 off and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. A model estimate, not a quote.
What material is a plating made from?
Common choices are Zinc / zinc-nickel; Nickel / chrome; Gold / silver.
What is the main process for a plating?
Electroplating. Corrosion protection, wear surfaces and decorative finishes on metal parts.
See the exact route and should-cost for your part
The free finder maps your part to its process and full route. Pro adds should-cost at your volume, sourcing and an RFQ draft.
