Project Overview
Project Name: Jewelry Inspection Magnifier
Material Used: PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate)
Quantity: 30 sets (30 pieces total)
Production Cycle: 15 days
Manufacturing Process: CNC Turning, CNC Milling, Surface Electroplating
Client Requirements
The Jewelry Inspection Magnifier is designed to measure the luster of jewelry based on principles of light refraction and reflection. For this application, the magnifier’s inner and outer surfaces needed to meet high precision standards, including:
Mirror-like Surface: TOTAL processing of mirror surface to maximize reflection of light around the track area.
Scratch-Free Surface: It also must be smooth and have no roughness on it, and above all, it cannot have any scratch on it.
Angle Precision: The angles of each part are rather critical, and the specific is employed in order to preserve the high image quality.
Light Transmittance: The material should allow light transmittance of over 95% to achieve the desired optical effect.
Localized Electroplating: Specific areas require partial electroplating while maintaining a transparent section for viewing.
Project Analysis
Lauens was tasked with producing parts for this highly specialized Jewelry Inspection Magnifier, requiring exacting standards for both appearance and functionality. In accordance with the general goals set for the design and aiming at satisfying the customers’ requirements, the choice of PMMA (Poly(methyl methacrylate)) became apparent because of its high degree of light permeability that was crucial for the further use of the product.
Key Design Considerations:
Mirror Surface: The white parts of the magnifier required full reflective mirror electroplating, while the red sections needed to remain completely transparent.
Precise Angles: The angles of the magnifier must be carefully machined to ensure the surface boundaries remain clear and the final product matches the customer’s design vision. Any failure to meet these criteria would compromise the product’s intended performance.
Manufacturing Process
We used a combination of CNC Turning, CNC Milling, and Surface Electroplating to meet the high-quality requirements for both the physical properties and appearance of the magnifier.
CNC Turning
The first step in the manufacturing process involved using CNC turning to precisely machine the detailed features of the magnifier. This process ensured that the dimensions and angles met the specifications exactly, and provided a smooth foundation for the next stages.
CNC Milling
CNC milling was employed to achieve any necessary fine details and additional features in the magnifier. Milling also provided the fine surface finish needed for the electroplating process, allowing the polished areas to meet the customer’s expectations for clarity and light reflection.
Polishing and Electroplating
Polishing is a critical step in achieving the required surface quality. We divided the polishing into four stages to ensure consistency in the glossiness across all surfaces. The final mirror grinding stage was particularly important, ensuring the mirror-like finish was flawless.
The localized electroplating process was achieved through an immersion technique. This process added a thin layer of reflective plating to the designated areas while leaving the transparent regions untouched. Special production line technology was used to ensure a perfect connection between the electroplated and transparent sections, ensuring no seams or visible lines between the two materials.
Quality Control
To ensure the highest levels of precision and consistency, we implemented the following inspection methods:
Dimensional Accuracy: Using CNC coordinate measuring machines (CMM), our QC department checked the actual dimensions of each piece to confirm consistency across the entire batch.
Surface Inspection: A dedicated light box was used for detailed surface inspections, ensuring that every part was free of scratches, blemishes, or inconsistencies in the electroplating.
Client Satisfaction
Our focus on detail and adherence to the customer’s exacting requirements ensured a successful outcome for the Jewelry Inspection Magnifier project. The client was pleased with the results, noting the excellent quality of the surface finishes and the mirror-like electroplating, which helped achieve the intended optical effects for their inspection tools.
Experience & Expertise
At Lauens, we take pride in delivering custom solutions that meet the highest standards. The client’s needs and requirements required top-notch precision machining, surface treatment and electroplating and we were up to the challenge due to the above strengths.
We also feel that every project differs in its specifics and do not hesitate to provide the individual services. Any project that has stringent demands for accuracy and having the best parts manufactured for you, then you can rely on Lauens to deliver.
Conclusion
The Jewelry Inspection Magnifier case study demonstrates Lauens’ ability to combine advanced manufacturing techniques with attention to detail to meet high-end customer specifications. Whether it’s for precise prototyping or complex custom designs, Lauens delivers results that exceed expectations.
Planning a Similar PMMA Component?
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