A part comes off the CNC machine with sharp edges, tool marks, and no finish. It's dimensionally correct, but it's not done. Secondary operations are everything that happens between "machined" and "ready to ship" — and they often account for 20-40% of the total part cost.
Deburring
Every machined edge has a burr — a thin ridge of material left by the cutting tool. Burrs are sharp, they interfere with assembly, and they look terrible. Deburring removes them through tumbling (vibratory finishing), hand work, or abrasive blasting.
At Reliable Manufacturing, we run vibratory deburring machines for batch processing and glass bead blasting for a uniform matte finish. Hand deburring is reserved for critical features where automated methods might affect dimensions.
Surface Treatments
Raw machined metal corrodes, wears, and doesn't always look professional. Surface treatments solve all three:
- ▸ Anodizing — adds a hard, colored oxide layer to aluminum. Type II for cosmetic, Type III (hardcoat) for wear resistance.
- ▸ Powder coating — durable paint finish for steel and aluminum. Wide color range.
- ▸ Plating — zinc, nickel, or chrome for corrosion resistance and appearance.
- ▸ Passivation — chemical treatment for stainless steel to maximize corrosion resistance.
- ▸ Black oxide — minimal-thickness coating for steel. Adds mild corrosion resistance and a professional look.
Welding
Some assemblies can't be machined from a single block — they need to be welded from multiple pieces. We run TIG and MIG welding up to 300 amps with rotary positioners for consistent bead placement. TIG for precision and appearance. MIG for speed and strength on heavier assemblies.
Engraving
Part numbers, serial numbers, logos, and identification marks. Our New Hermes engraving machine handles both functional marking (traceability) and cosmetic engraving. This is especially important for aerospace and medical parts where every piece needs to be traceable.
Assembly
Why ship loose parts when you can ship finished assemblies? We handle hardware installation (press-fit inserts, helicoils, pins), sub-assembly, and complete mechanical assembly. Customers get fewer boxes, less incoming inspection, and parts that are ready to install.
Why It Matters
A shop that handles secondary operations in-house saves you time, shipping costs, and coordination headaches. Every time a part leaves a building, it adds lead time and risk. The more we can do under one roof, the faster and more reliably your parts get done.