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Chrome CAR BADGES. how? Part II
Hi, thanks to everyone who posted replies a few weeks ago on this subject.
We have decided to go with buying an AXYZ machine to cut ( and bevel ) the chrome car badges ( like the VAUXHALL writing for example) we will be producing.
We have three main problems. I would be very grateful if anybody could offer suggestions…..
1) Which material should we use? ( which would be best for weathering, most lightweight etc.)
2) How would we apply an adhesive backing to the finished car badge, for end-user application ?
3) How are we going to get the overall chrome effect seen on car badges. ( is there any chrome material avavilable or will we have to paint the finished badge?)
Thankyou for your time
Danny Flint
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4 Replies
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Just a thought.
How many of these items are you going to be producing– of each design.
Reason for asking, I enquired about having a car badge reproduced, with the intention of putting my own inserts in. (printed then dombed.)
After the tool up fee, the cost of each badge was approx £1 each. Plastic moulded, chromed.
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Im really not sure why you went that route , you cannot CNC the badges individually at any economical price , you would have to use the 3d router to make a die cast or a spun cast or a stamping mould. software to do this will cost a ton.
The best way to do these badges is to injection mould in plastic and vapour deposit plate in chrome – adhesives will be a problem too – you need an agressive adhesive with a removable backing , you would also have to die cut the adhesive and backing.
There is no ways you can do small quantities economically with a CnC machine , to get a smooth finsh you have to use a teeny bit with a zillion stepovers and even then it wont be good without finishing by hand.
You dont get a “solid” chrome anyway, whatever you do , you will have to plate – painted chrome will be a disaster on a vehicle. -
Becky , theres a another way you could have done it , perhaps not the ultimate quality , but you would save tooling costs and you can get short runs.
Make a master from perpex (we use a laser to do so) either at the local engraver or you can do it yourself if you prepared to hand finish. Take it to a spin caster who will make a silicon mould (the perspex gets destroyed , but the mould survives) they will spin cast it in low melting point metal and most likely plate it – problem is , chrome wont have a sublimely superb mirror finish , but it’s metal nevertheless and it should cost a lot less than GBP1- we spin cast 3mm thick medals , 45mm in diameter in qtys of 1000+ and with plating we pay less then 20 pence (we playe in nickle , not chrome for a “silver” medal) – its not as good as die stamped or coined , but for a customer looking for a decent product at an affordable price , its perfect. -
you could try these guys for your chrome coating http://www.chromeffx.com they can chrome anything from a helmet to a motorbike, and the finish is top notch 😀
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