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Assembly & Finishing
Simplify your supply chain with file-to-finish services all under one roof

Fathom’s comprehensive in-house post-processing services allow you to enhance your parts and complete your project to your exact desired level of finish. From prototype mockups for concept validations, to photoshoot-ready production parts, streamline your supply chain with our complete product lifecycle capabilities.

Comprehensive
Project Completion

Fathom Manufacturing offers assembly and finishing services that further enhance the look of your design, helping you achieve specific textures and colors. Our professional finishing services are often used for marketing photo shoots, tradeshows, internal presentations and more.

Whether your project is additive or traditional manufacturing, we offer the ancillary tools and processes to create an optimal finished product.

Don’t see the finishing option you were looking for here? Contact us to discuss your needs.

  • Painting
  • Powder Coating
  • Decals
  • Pad Printing
  • Screen Printing
  • Transfers
  • Assembly
  • Drilling
  • Media Blast
  • Gear Cutting
  • Customized Shipping Crates
  • Grinding/Jig Grinding
  • EDM
  • Polishing
  • Plating (Standard)
  • Chem Film (Standard)
  • Anodization (Standard)
  • AMT Post Pro (Additive Manufacturing Only)
  • Arc Welding
  • Metal Inert Gas (MIG)
  • Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG)
  • Resistance Spot Welding
  • Laser Welding
  • Oxyfuel Welding & Cutting
  • Deburring
Fathom assembling parts

Levels of Finishing

FINISHING GRADE LEVELS

GRADE LEVEL DESCRIPTION

ADVANTAGES & CONSIDERATIONS

AA
(ULTRA HIGH)

High-Resolution Photo-Ready Parts

  • $$$$
  • High-Resolution Product Photography or Video
  • Deep, Vibrant Colors, Lustrous Gloss
  • Fine, Satin & Matte Finishes
  • Products receiving this level of finish are typically no longer in the experimenting or testing phase & have high-quality renderings &/or production CMF documents

A
(HIGH)

Trade Show or Presentation Parts

  • $$$
  • Pre-Production samples for marketing or sales teams to handle and discuss with potential customers (“looks-like, works-like” models)

B
(MID)

Concept Models, Aesthetic Experimentation or Part Comparisons

  • $$
  • Comparing different colors or aesthetic styles/palettes, evaluating aesthetic considerations for functional models

C
(LOWEST)

Concept Validation & Non-Aesthetic Parts

  • $
  • Stock Colors Only
  • Matte Finish Only
  • Internal Meetings, concept validation, overcoming aesthetic challenges when a particular material or process is needed for other reasons

Considerations for Creating
Aesthetically-Important Parts

Additive Post Processing Dye Icon

Color

Fathom commonly uses the Pantone Matching System and can match custom blended paints to any color code or paint swatch (subject to review by Fathom production manager). Paint is applied using a variety of methods, dependent on color, glossy/matte and the specific texture desired.

Post Processing Coating Icon

Texture

The most common method for selecting texture is by calling out a Mold-Tech texture. Paint textures are approximated to the model—options include light, medium or heavy. Fathom also offers AMT’s PostPro3D vapor smoothing technology finishing for SLS, FDM and MJF 3D printing technologies. This post-processing technique eliminates the need for time-consuming sanding or other surface smoothing processes. Utilizing the PostPro3D for end-use parts is a great option for projects on a tight product development schedule.

Assembly

If your model is comprised of multiple parts, assembly is the final step. If painting is required, colors are often applied to separated components to maintain very crisp, clean lines. Masking is available, but it is a less preferred method, as it can bleed. Models are either glued using an adhesive and/or assembled using fasteners depending on application.

Insert Post Processing Icon

Stock Components

A common aspect of model finishing is the inclusion of stock components such as fasteners and metal inserts. These items are usually applied in the assembly process. In most cases, these additions are for their functional properties. For example, adding a metal threaded insert allows for more durable threads when an item requires screws or bolts in the assembly process.

Additive Decal Post Processing Icon

Artwork

High-quality finished models often need to include lettering and logos. The artwork is applied using a variety of methods depending on the shape of the surface it is being applied to, the number of colors and the level of detail. The most common methods are transfers, stickers, screen prints and pad prints. In most cases, a clear finishing coat is applied to protect the artwork as well as the paint on the model.

Talk to an Expert

Have a tricky color to match, or require intricate assembly procedures? Our craftspeople are ready to meet your assembly and finishing needs. Talk to us today to get started.

Across National
Time Zones

Precision manufacturing
from coast to coast.

HEADQUARTERS //
1050 Walnut Ridge Drive
Hartland, WI 53029
877-328-4668

ARIZONA
444 W. 21st St. Ste. 101
Tempe, AZ 85282
480-966-2300

CALIFORNIA
46758 Lakeview Blvd
Fremont, CA 94538

COLORADO
7770 Washington St.
Denver, CO 80229
303-288-6855

FLORIDA
14000 N.W. 58th Court
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
305-889-3280

ILLINOIS
1207 Adams Drive
McHenry, IL 60051
815-385-7500

1401 Brummel Ave
Elk Grove, IL 60007
847-952-8088

MINNESOTA
13758 Johnson Street NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304
763-755-7575

NEW YORK
1920 Slaterville Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-277-7070

401 W. Shore Blvd.
Newark, NY 14513
315-331-7680

TEXAS
1513 Sam Bass Rd.
Round Rock, TX 78660
512-255-1477

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