Consumer electronics tooling is judged on the surface before anything else. A housing can be dimensionally perfect and still fail because of a flow mark on the A-face, a gloss band along the gate, or a texture that reads differently on the front and back covers. So the appearance standard — gloss level, texture grade, defect limits and the lighting it is judged under — is written down before the tool is cut, and every cavity is measured against it.
Surface standards
Cosmetic finishes we quote
| Finish | Typical spec | How it is produced | How it is verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| High gloss | SPI A1–A2 | Diamond polish to 0.012–0.025 µm on the cavity face | Gloss meter reading plus visual sample under controlled light |
| Satin | SPI B1–B2 | Fine stone polish, no directional tool marks | Gloss meter, comparison to approved plaque |
| Matte texture | MT-11010 or your sample | Chemical etch depth controlled by acid time and mask | Test plaque approval before production etch |
| Fine grain | VDI 3400 #27–#30 | Etched insert with a defined grain direction | Visual against master plaque, Ra check |
| Two-shot / double colour | Hard-soft pair | Rotating tool with a matched shut-off | Bond line placement and pull-strength check |
What goes into the appearance standard
Four items are agreed in writing before the first cut. Without them, cosmetic acceptance becomes an argument after the fact.
- Which faces are cosmeticDrawing mark-up
A-face, B-face and hidden faces are marked on the model, because a defect allowed on a hidden face is a reject on an A-face.
- Texture and gloss targetGrade or physical sample
An SPI or VDI grade, or your physical plaque, plus the target gloss unit range.
- Defect limitsWritten limit sample
Maximum allowed size, depth and count for flow marks, weld lines, silver streaks and sink, per face class.
- Judgement conditionsLight, distance, angle
The D65 or factory lighting, viewing distance and angle used during inspection, so both sides check the same way.
A cosmetic standard agreed only verbally is the most common reason a good tool gets rejected. Writing it down takes an hour and saves a rebuild.
From prototype to production without restarting
Consumer electronics programs move in steps, and each step needs parts at a different maturity. We plan the tool route so the geometry you validate is the geometry that goes into production steel.
| Stage | Tool | Lead time | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concept sample | JC-PT-AL aluminium | 12–15 days | Real resin parts for fit and appearance review |
| Pre-production | JC-PT-BR bridge tool | 20–26 days | 5,000–20,000 parts for pilot builds |
| Production | JC-IM-HR hot runner | 35–45 days | Full cavitation, hardened steel, texture applied |
How cosmetic defects are handled
Request an enclosure tool quote
Consumer electronics FAQ
Can you match a texture sample I already have?
Yes. Send the physical sample and the target gloss level. We etch a test plaque first, send it to you for approval, and only then etch the production insert, so the texture is agreed before it becomes expensive to change.
How do you control cosmetic defects on a high-gloss part?
By agreeing the appearance standard in writing before the tool is cut, then checking each cavity against that standard under the same lighting. Gloss readings and a photo limit sample go into the tool file so both sides judge the same way.
Can you add texture to an existing tool?
Usually yes, if the insert has enough material to etch. We inspect the cavity first and tell you the achievable depth; a heavily polished or previously etched insert may need a new insert instead.
What is the smallest feature you can mold reliably?
As a working rule, walls down to 0.6 mm and ribs down to 0.5 mm with a 1 : 1.5 draft are routine in PC and ABS. Below that we review the fill and ejection risk before quoting, rather than discovering it at tryout.
Approve the surface before you pay for the steel
Send the model and a texture sample. You get a DFM note, a gloss target and a dated tool schedule.
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