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Electroplating

Electroplating

Electroplating deposits nickel, zinc, chrome, or other metals onto a conductive CNC blank. It covers tool marks, adds conductivity or corrosion protection, and can match a plated assembly. Geometry the bath can wet plates evenly.

  • Quote group Color
  • Extra finishing lead time No extra days — included with the machine lead time
  • Stock and routes that take this finish Metal | SLM, Resin | SLA
  • When you quote The quote is not final for electroplating and AIHFabs team will contact you by Email within 12 hours.
Quote this finish Upload a CAD file Create a project CNC solutions

What Electroplating does after CNC machining

Electroplating is a CNC finishing step on AIHFABS. It runs after milling or turning so the blank leaves closer to a usable part — not only a machine finish. Use this page to decide whether Electroplating matches color, wear, or assembly needs before you upload a file.

Electroplating deposits nickel, zinc, chrome, or other metals onto a conductive CNC blank. It covers tool marks, adds conductivity or corrosion protection, and can match a plated assembly. Geometry the bath can wet plates evenly.

Finishing is quoted with the machine work. Select Electroplating in checkout, review price and lead time, and keep machining plus post-processing on one order instead of sending a raw blank to a second shop.

Why teams specify Electroplating on CNC parts

Appearance

Electroplating can hide cutter marks, even out color, or leave a uniform skin on housings, brackets, and review samples.

Performance

Depending on the process, Electroplating may improve wear, corrosion resistance, or grip so the machined part survives handling and end use.

Ready-to-assemble blanks

When Electroplating sits on the same traveler as milling or turning, the part arrives closer to install-ready — color, coat, or threads already on it.

How to order this CNC finish

Ordering Electroplating uses the same upload as a standard CNC quote. You do not need a separate finishing RFQ for catalog options.

  1. Upload the CAD file

    Use STEP, STP, or another supported format. The quoter reads the stock so finishing can be priced against the actual blank.

  2. Choose CNC process, material, and Electroplating

    Pick milling, turning, or another CNC route, then add Electroplating and any other finishing the part needs.

  3. Compare price, lead time, and checkout

    Review options, confirm quantity, and place the order. Machining and finishing stay on one timeline and one invoice.

Compatible stock and design notes

Electroplating is typically applied to metals — and some plastics — after CNC machining. Compatibility depends on alloy, wall thickness, and whether the surface can be reached by bath, media, or a tap. Deep pockets, thin walls, and datum faces may need a review. If the automatic quote cannot apply Electroplating, request a manual quotation.

Need Electroplating on a batch, a mixed set, or a part that also needs tapping or paint? Keep those options in the same quote so lead time includes the full stack.

Options in the online quote

These are the 3D Plus rows tied to Electroplating. Compare the look, extra days, and which materials each option supports before you upload.

Electroplated

Electroplated

Electroplating coats 3D-printed parts with a thin metal layer through an electrochemical process, creating a shiny, metallic finish that enhances both appearance and durability.

  • Extra finishing lead time No extra days — included with the print lead time
  • When you quote The quote is not final for electroplating and AIHFabs team will contact you by Email within 12 hours.

Compatible materials

18NI300 316L Stainless Steel Aluminum Alloy 6061 Aluminum Alloy AlSi10Mg Titanium Alloy Series Titanium Alloy Ti₆Al₄V Castable Photopolymer Resin High-detail Resin White High-temp Resin Red High-Temp Resistant Resin Red Nylon-like Resin TuS Premium Clear Resin Resin Black Resin White Standard Resin Black Standard Resin White Tough Resin White Ultra-Tough Resin Black Ultra-Tough Resin Blue Ultra-Tough Resin White
Quote this finish

Materials you can pair with Electroplating

Only these grades can take this finish in the instant quote. Open a material for specs, or upload a file and the quoter will only show compatible options.

Metal | SLM

18NI300 18NI300 Print lead time: 10Days 316L Stainless Steel 316L Stainless Steel Print lead time: 5Days Aluminum Alloy 6061 Aluminum Alloy 6061 Print lead time: 5Days Aluminum Alloy AlSi10Mg Aluminum Alloy AlSi10Mg Print lead time: 5Days Titanium Alloy Series Titanium Alloy Series Print lead time: 7Days Titanium Alloy Ti₆Al₄V Titanium Alloy Ti₆Al₄V Print lead time: 7Days

Resin | SLA

Castable Photopolymer Resin Castable Photopolymer Resin Print lead time: 72Hours High-detail Resin White High-detail Resin White Print lead time: 72Hours High-temp Resin Red High-temp Resin Red Print lead time: 4Days High-Temp Resistant Resin Red High-Temp Resistant Resin Red Print lead time: 4Days Nylon-like Resin TuS Nylon-like Resin TuS Print lead time: 72Hours Premium Clear Resin Premium Clear Resin Print lead time: 72Hours Resin Black Resin Black Print lead time: 72Hours Resin White Resin White Print lead time: 72Hours Standard Resin Black Standard Resin Black Print lead time: 48Hours Standard Resin White Standard Resin White Print lead time: 48Hours Tough Resin White Tough Resin White Print lead time: 48Hours Ultra-Tough Resin Black Ultra-Tough Resin Black Print lead time: 72Hours Ultra-Tough Resin Blue Ultra-Tough Resin Blue Print lead time: 72Hours Ultra-Tough Resin White Ultra-Tough Resin White Print lead time: 72Hours
Upload a CAD file Create a project Talk to an engineer Browse materials

Electroplating questions

Answers that apply to Electroplating on AIHFABS 3D Plus hardware — materials, size change, and how to order it with the print.

What is Electroplating on a 3D printed part?

Electroplating deposits nickel, zinc, chrome, or other metals onto a conductive CNC blank. It covers tool marks, adds conductivity or corrosion protection, and can match a plated assembly. Geometry the bath can wet plates evenly.

Which printed materials can take Electroplating?

Electroplating is a color or optical finish. SLS and MJF nylon take dye; resins take paint, primer, frosting, and clear coats; aluminum and other metals take anodizing, plating, or e-coat. The quoter only offers Electroplating when the selected material can accept it.

Does Electroplating change dimensions or hide layer lines?

Paint, plating, and e-coat add a thin film. Dye soaks into nylon with little build-up. Frosting and clear coats change how light hits the surface more than the CAD size. Call out fits and optical faces in the quote notes so they can be masked.

Is Electroplating only for aluminum?

Anodizing is for aluminum alloys. Electroplating can go on several conductive metals and some plated plastics after a conductive coat. Tell us the print alloy so we can confirm Electroplating.

How do I add Electroplating to a quote?

Upload the CAD file, choose a print process and material, then turn on Electroplating. Price and lead time update on the same order. If the automatic quote cannot apply it, request a manual quotation and note fits or color codes.



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