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Injection Mold Surface Finishing Standerds

EDM_finishes-treatment

Zhongde has access to a diverse marketplace of molding suppliers and all standard mold surface finishing options. Mold finishes can range from glossy to matte to even patterned. Finishes applied to the surface of the mold cavity transfer to the surface of the molded part. For example, a mold surface that is polished to be reflective will make a reflective (or transparent) part. Mold finishes differ from CNC machined or 3D printed parts, where each component is treated individually. Adding a finish or texture can change the tool’s price depending on the process required, but it does not alter the price of the individual parts.

Our standard mold finishes include the following:

  • Society of Plastics Industry (SPI) Mold Finishes
  • VDI

SPI Finishes vs VDI Finishes

SPI Finishes

SPI Finish (SPI Finishes) is also known as “SPI Mold Finish (SPI Mold Finishes)” or “SPI Surface Finishes“.

The SPI Finish refers to the American surface finish standard set by SPI (Society of the Plastics Industry).

SPI A-1

Diamond buffed with grade #3, 6000 grit for a highly polished finish. Also suitable for producing optically clear parts. Has an average surface roughness of 0.012-0.025µm Ra.

SPI A-2

Diamond buffed with grade #6, 3000 grit for a high polish finish. Also suitable for producing transparent parts. Has an average surface roughness of 0.025-0.050µm Ra.

SPI A-3

Diamond buffed with grade #15, 1200 grit for a high-to-medium polished finish. Also suitable for producing non-optical transparent parts. Has an average surface roughness of 0.050-0.100µm Ra.

SPI B-1

A 600-grit sanded finish for a medium polish with a surface roughness of 0.05-0.10µm Ra.

SPI B-2

A 400-grit sanded finish for a medium polish with a surface roughness of 0.10-0.15µm Ra.

SPI B-3

A 320-grit sanded finish for a medium-to-low polish with a surface roughness of 0.28-0.32µm Ra.

SPI C-1

A 600 stone finish for a low polish with a surface roughness of 0.35-.40µm Ra.

SPI C-2

A 400 stone finish for a low polish with a surface roughness of 0.45-.55µm Ra.

SPI C-3

A 320 stone finish for a low polish with a surface roughness of 0.63-.70µm Ra.

SPI D-1

Dry blasted with glass bead for a satin finish with a surface roughness of 0.80-1.00µm Ra.

SPI D-2

Dry blasted with #240 oxide for a dull finish with a surface roughness of 1.00-2.80µm Ra.

SPI D-3

Dry blasted with #24 oxide for a dull finish with a surface roughness of 3.20-18.00µm Ra.

SPI-surface treatment
injection-molding-surface-treatment

VDI Finishes

VDI 3400 Surface Finish (known as VDI surface finish) refers to the mold texture standard Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI), the Society of German Engineers. The VDI 3400 surface finish is mainly processed by Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) when mold machining. VDI is an international standard for mold texturing of matte surfaces. The EDM surface gives a fine-to-coarse grain depending on the selection.

VDI 12

A 600 stone low-polish finish with an average surface roughness of 0.40µm Ra.

VDI 15
A 400 stone low-polish finish with an average surface roughness of 0.56µm Ra.

VDI 18

A glass bead blast satin finish with an average surface roughness of 0.80µm Ra.

VDI 21

A #240 oxide dry blast dull finish with an average surface roughness of 1.12µm Ra.

VDI 24

A #240 oxide dry blast dull finish with an average surface roughness of 1.60µm Ra.

VDI 27

A #240 oxide dry blast dull finish with an average surface roughness of 2.24µm Ra.

VDI 30

A #24 oxide dry blast dull finish with an average surface roughness of 3.15µm Ra.

VDI 33

A #24 oxide dry blast dull finish with an average surface roughness of 4.50µm Ra.

VDI 36

A #24 oxide dry blast dull finish with an average surface roughness of 6.30µm Ra.

VDI 39

A #24 oxide dry blast dull finish with an average surface roughness of 9.00µm Ra.

VDI 42

A #24 oxide dry blast dull finish with an average surface roughness of 12.50µm Ra.

VDI 45

A #24 oxide dry blast dull finish with an average surface roughness of 18.00µm Ra.

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