ELITE METAL FINISHING SERVICES, INC., PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WISCONSIN COMPLETES A SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR IN AUTOMOTIVE MARKETPLACE!
2006 was a developmental year for Elite Metal Finishing Services, Inc., as we were asked by a second tier supplier to the automotive industry to assist in the development of a new process to enhance the looks and performance of exterior automotive trim parts.
The process development was fueled by the high level of non-conforming parts using chrome plated stainless steel. Documented results of the prior process revealed 8.0 to 8.5% reject levels on the line at the tier 1 manufacturing site.
Using data that pointed at surface finish consistency and burrs, Elite Metal Finishing Services developed a process to enhance the finish on the parts in the existing base material of Type 301 stainless steel by utilizing electropolishing.
Electro-polishing is the opposite of electro-plating. The electro-polishing process removes material from the surface in a controlled environment. Through a series of developmental trials the process is refined to achieve the maximum return and excellent results that were approved by all tiers.
Elite Metal Finishing Services, along with solution and rack suppliers, developed the right combination of time, voltage and solutions that achieved the desired results.
Furthermore, the parts were not only deburred and polished to desired levels; they were also given a more durable surface finish as the electro-polishing process brings the key elements of the stainless steel to the surface adding durability and additional corrosion resistance.
As the project developed, other changes were made possible. The most significant change was the ability to change the grade of the base material to a more economical alloy. This change was made with some modifications to the process controls, and still provided the consistent finish and durability of the prior process.
An important part of the project was an upgrade to the Elite Metal Finishing quality assurance and process controls areas to tightly manage the entire process. Detailed part analysis, cause and effect assessments and daily production reports were developed to monitor the activity of production. Production and shipment of parts began in January of 2007. To date more than 300,000 parts have been processed.
Elite Metal Finishing's controlled process management has returned a reject level of less than .05%; obviously a solid improvement in reject levels as well as a dramatic enhancement to the part performance.
Elite Metal Finishing Services maintains a safety stock against planned demand from the tier 1 supplier and ships directly to point of use at the direction of the customer.
Elite Metal Finishing's "no boundaries" philosophy is the reason we have been successful in this endeavor. We also owe a great deal of thanks to our suppliers and our employees who have worked hard during the process development period.
Some think that the automotive industry is a difficult customer to serve. We believe that consistent results satisfy all of our customers.
Elite Metal Finishing Services, Inc., Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin 53158 is a provider of electro-polishing, passivation, mechanical polishing and custom tubular fabrications to the biopharmaceutical, medical, food, dairy and automotives industries.
Today: 
