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plating, anodizing, & finishing Q&As since 1989

"Setting up anodizing operation for job shop"

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2005

Can anyone advise us on what is needed to set-up an anodizing operation in a job shop. Type of vats, equipment and area needed.

Jim Del
manufacturing - Ipswich, Massachusetts

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2005

Our Consultants Directory lists several firms capable of doing that for you. If you're trusting, you could also rely on companies which specialize in anodizing equipment (Equipment Directory) or chemistry (Chemicals Directory) to sell you the right stuff. But I don't think you can learn enough about it directly via the internet to get there from here.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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First of two simultaneous responses -- 2005

Step 1 would be to buy Light Metals Finishing by Grubbs and Montgomery from AESF. This is written in layman's language and is not expensive.
As Ted said, it is a huge step to take unless you have someone with a background in anodizing. Off the top of my head, I do not know of a single "hands on" school for anodizing.
Book knowledge is only the first step to running a profitable anodizing line.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

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Second of two simultaneous responses -- 2005

Keep in mind also that the requirements are larger than just the materials and equipment needed for the actual anodizing of the parts. You also should be looking into the environmental aspects such as new required waste water permits, air quality permits, and any changes to your current waste treatment methods. Also, you may want to examine any changes in your worker's comp policy and other insurance policies.

A consultant is definitely the best choice, and you may want to visit a few anodizing job shops in your area also just to get an idea or anything I may have left out.

Good luck,

Jim Gorsich
Accurate Anodizing Inc.

Compton, California, USA