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SPE / SPI Finishes

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Where can I get the steel finish for SPE / SPI standards?

We need to know what a SPE / SPI #5 finish is. We have looked at DME [Ed. note: Detroit Mold Engineering] Mold Finish Kit, but it does not shows any # 5 finish. They only show A 1-3, B 1-3, C 1-3 & D 1-3 finishes

Leandro V [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
plastics - Bensenville, Illinois

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I too am looking for this info. I have Googled all over the place but can not find this info. We have several drawings of parts that call out finishes like SPE #4 MINIMUM or SPE-SPI #5 MINIMUM. I have found the SPE-SPI A-1 through D-3 finishing spec but not this other scale. Surely someone out there knows what it is? I have been to the Society of Plastics Engineers and the Society of the Plastics Industry but no luck.

David G [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Greenville, South Carolina

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THE OLD WAY TO DOCUMENT SPE-SPI FINISH WAS #1-#5. SPI HAS CHANGED THIS TO A1, A2 ETC.
SPI HAS A MOLDED PLAQUE WITH SAMPLES OF THESE NEW FINISHES AND A PAPER COMPARING THE OLD STANDARD WITH THE NEW.

L. ROCKWELL
- PHX. Arizona

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Thanks, L. The current place to get the "Mold Finish Guide" is at http://store.plasticsindustry.org. Look for item AR-106.

I don't know the order number for the cross referencing paper for the old vs. new system, but it may be AR-101. Good luck.

Regards,

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

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If there any body know where can I download a free copy of the SPI-SPE surface finish standard for reference. Or anybody know what is meaning of "Gloss: SPI-SPE#2 finish" and "Matte: SPI-SPE#3 finish with liquid hone." Please help, thanks.

Thomas C [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
OEM manufacturer - Hong Kong, China

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Sorry, Thomas, these are copyrighted specs for sale, not for free. Regards,

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

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The listing correlate as follows:-
#1 = A-1
#2 = A-3
#3 = B-3
#4 = C-3
#5 = D-2
#6 = D-3
The info is on page N-112 of the current DME catalog. There is also a chart with further info.

Edward [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Australia

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I want to buy SPI-SPE mold finishing guide, can I buy it anywhere in Hong Kong or China?

Janet Y [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Hong Kong

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June 8, 2009

I am looking for guidance on texturing standards for injection molded parts that goes beyond the SPE/SPI AR-106 guidance which appears to just discuss polished and blasted finishes. I am looking for etched, cross-hatch, and other more "aesthetic" finishes.
I would like to reference, if possible, a better defined standard than an internally used description that individual metal finishers use in their sales literature.

Mike Johnson
product development - Maple Grove, Minnesota

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September 30, 2009

SPI FINISH GUIDE
A - 1 GRADE #3 DIAMOND BUFF
A - 2 GRADE #6 DIAMOND BUFF
A - 3 GRADE #15 DIAMOND BUFF
B - 1 600 GRIT PAPER
B - 2 400 GRIT PAPER
B - 3 320 GRIT PAPER
C - 1 600 STONE
C - 2 400 STONE
C - 3 320 STONE
D - 1 DRY BLAST GLASS BEAD #11
D - 2 DRY BLAST #240 OXIDE
D - 3 DRY BLAST #24 OXIDE
SPI Finish A-1 -- Grade #3, 6000 Grit Diamond Buff
SPI Finish A-2 -- Grade #6, 3000 Grit Diamond Buff
SPI Finish A-3 -- Grade #15, 1200 Grit Diamond Buff
SPI Finish B-1 -- 600 Grit Paper
SPI Finish B-2 -- 400 Grit Paper
SPI Finish B-3 -- 320 Grit Paper
SPI Finish C-1 -- 600 Grit Paper
SPI Finish C-2 -- 400 Grit Paper
SPI Finish C-3 -- 320 Grit Paper
SPI Finish D-1 -- 600 Stone Prior to Dry Blast Glass Bead #11
SPI Finish D-2 -- 400 Stone Prior to Dry Blast #24 Oxide
SPI Finish D-3 -- 320 Stone Prior to Dry Blast #24 Oxide
SPE -- The Society of Plastic Engineers;   SPI -- The Society of the Plastic Industry

John Wu
- Dongguan City ,Guangdong province, China