Tool Polishing Services
The Polish Shop
Tool & Die Polishing Services in Erie, PA
King Precision Solutions is the premier provider of tool and die polishing services in Erie, PA with an emphasis on providing tight tolerance polishing to its customers. Our first business as family entrepreneurs was building a premier Tool and Die shop and an injection molding firm in our hometown of Erie PA. Since those humble injection molding beginnings in 1990, we have moved on from building molds and producing plastic parts to expanding our services to offer the best tool and die polishing services in the region and compete for global contracts.
To start this new venture, we prioritized hiring the best, most experienced polishers, with an average of over 25 years of trade experience. At one time, Western Pennsylvania was known as the “Tool and Die Capital of the World,” and although that reputation has subsided in recent years the remaining polishing experience and talent in the region is second to none. Once we had our polishing team, we outfitted them with the best hand tools and microscopes available and housed all of this in an ultra-modern, state-of-the-art, climate-controlled facility. In the last decade, our tool and die polishing services have grown to accommodate unique industry demands and are capable of not only providing mirror-like finishes, but uniform critical surfaces that adhere to tight tolerances and withstand exhaustive post-polishing inspections.
Tool & Die Polishing Services
We pride ourselves on our flexible and versatile skillset, as we polish parts underneath a microscope to see finer details other providers may miss on blocks as large as 1,000 pounds. Our newest endeavor is Precision Polishing. In recent years we’ve worked closely with several customers in the medical industry that demand critical sizes to be maintained throughout the polishing process and further require dimensional inspections before and after polishing. We use high-power measuring microscopes, and a calibrated CMM to hold the most important features within .0002”. Our robust quality control laboratory is set up to specifically account for this function. Modern manufacturing has changed, with many parts becoming smaller and tolerances getting tighter, the old days of just taking machine marks out and calling it good are over and our customers demand a more professional and precise approach.
Polishing is an important last step before a tool goes into production that often gets overlooked. Skipping this step can affect the cosmetic finish and release of the molded part. A quality polish will assist tools to run more efficiently and reduce cycle times. Our deep knowledge and experience in this area sets us apart from the competition. With our extensive machining capabilities, we cater to tool and die repair, refurbishing cores and cavities, adding laser weld features and edges, re-machining surfaces to sharpen up features, re-polishing and plating if needed, making King Precision Solutions a true one-stop shop for modern manufacturing requests.
- Precision CNC hard milling, grinding, and EDM ± 0.0002”
- Laser Welding Capabilities
- Plating Capabilities
- 8,000 Pound Capacity
- 12,500 Square Foot Climate Controlled Facility
SPI Mold Polishing Grades
The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) mold polishing grades are rigid guidelines with allowable “typical surface roughness” measurements that determine the final quality of the polished surface. Depending on the final application or industry specifications, certain projects may be fine with a simplified rough “stone finish” known as a C-1 to C-3 SPI Standard. However, for more high-performance parts used in specialized fields like the medical, automotive, aerospace, or precision electronic industries, a more specific SPI mold polishing grade is required.
- D-1 to D-3: Dry Blast Glass Bead, #240 Oxide, #24 Oxide (Dull or Satin Finish)
- C-1 to C-3: Stone Finishes 150-1500 Grit for Low Polish Parts
- B-1 to B-3: Paper Finishes 220-2500 Grit for Medium to Medium Low Polish Parts
- A-1 to A-3: Diamond/Optical Finishes for High Polish Parts or Lens/Mirror Finish
Spotlight Case Study: A-3 Grade Polishing for Medical Devices
Medical devices require a wide variety of post-machining polishing to attain desired finish levels to meet rigid standards throughout the industry. Recently, a medical device manufacturer submitted an RFQ for A-3 Grade polishing on a medical device with increasing costs and turnaround times from the original polishing provider. This company demanded ultra-smooth surfaces to guarantee the final product met functional standards, additionally, the previous polisher was not as considerate of preserving final tolerances and intricate design features.
Thankfully, the experienced team at King Precision Solutions was no strangers to attaining the highest SPI grade for medical devices and quickly devised a cost-effective and efficient polishing solution. First, we assessed the material and determined it was acrylic, making it suitable for SPI A-3 surface finish. Using our advanced magnification equipment, we were able to expertly polish the surface while maintaining the intricate component features and not compromising the part’s tolerances. After several stages of polishing, our quality control and inspection services took over and determined that the part achieved A-3 grade polish while remaining within the designated tolerances specified by the customer.
As a result of King Precision Solutions’ experience and equipment for higher grade SPI polishes, the medical device manufacturer received an A-3 grade part while remaining within the 0.0002” tolerances. Additionally, the parts were polished in less time than the preceding service provider, further reducing costs and solidifying the customer’s supply chain with a domestic provider. By working with King Precision Solutions, the customer reduced the final production time and costs of their medical devices and was able to capture a larger market share as a result.
Industries Served
Multi Cavitation
Consumer Products
Automotive Lens
Electronic Connectors
Optical
CONTACT US TODAY
King Precision Solutions has all of the manufacturing tools and experience to create quality products for all of our customers. The next step is hearing from you. Get in touch with us and tell us all about your upcoming project, and we’ll work together as a team. We’re looking forward to hearing from you, and we’re excited to get started!
Contact Us
"*" indicates required fields