Surfaces on Aluminum Blog

This is the second article in a series of articles featuring notes from my co-workers on their favorite finish and details behind the finish.  Our guest blogger is Scott VonRuden.  It is interesting that Scott chose a finish that requires precise registration.  Scott works with registration of finishes every day in his role as screening machine operator in the Northern Engraving Design Center.

		Scott VonRuden Press Operator Scott works in the Northern Engraving Design Center.  He is responsible for color matching and screening for new finish development and prototypes.
My favorite Finish is PAT-3860 which has been done in various colors.  It has four screening operations with very tight registration which can be difficult to run.  When all four operations are put together properly (i.e. on register) the end result looks good and is worth the effort put into making it. The first operation is a resist which can be used with a number of mechanical finishes such as brush, engine turn, engine stripe or what ever one would request. The colors that could be used can range from subtle grays and blues to golds and silvers.  The sky is the limit for the colors that could be used on this pattern.  Opaque colors are an option too.  The last two operations are screen printed textures, which can also have color added to them.  Or a soft-touch could be used to get a rubbery feel in the end result.  This finish could be used in numerous nameplate appliqués such as golf clubs, kitchen appliances and maybe even cell phones, with the soft-touch feel added for and extra effect. This finish could also be used on automotive parts such as sill plates, door trim and to knob inserts. Northern Engraving is versatile in all of the above variables mentioned. This is how we are able to meet the unique design requests of our customers.

We've had more than one customer apply this pattern to their decorative trim.  What are your thoughts on this precisely registered finish on aluminum?  Thumbs up or thumbs down? 

Enamel White Finishes on Aluminum

Enamel white finishes layered with texture and aluminum details.  Crisp and clean.  Multiple gloss levels.  Sophisticated combinations of detail and metal character.

The Modern mood board is based on the popularity of enamel white finishes.  The video summarizes the inspiration and processes behind the aluminum finishes.  The finishes can be integrated into decorative trim for automotive, appliance and electronic applications.  Request samples to see the subtle effects in the finishes.

Red Aluminum Finishes

The power drama and emotion of red is explored in this series of aluminum finishes.  Red is associated with energy and strength as well as passion and desire.  Red draws attention.  Opaque and transparent red is printed on mechanical finishes creating dramatic surfaces on aluminum.  Selective gloss and printed texture add to the depth of the finishes.

Red finishes on aluminum trim can be used as small accents, almost like you would add jewelry to an outfit.  Or they can be used as bold focal points.  The natural reflective character of the aluminum maximizes the impact.

The inspiRED mood boards cover a wide variety of types of structures including: organic, technical, ornamental and mechanical.  The common theme is the vivid candy apple red.

All of the red finishes have been printed in a variety of other colors ranging from black or white to bronze or gun metal grey.  It is always interesting to see how the shift in color affects the finish.  See for yourself how several of the red finishes translate into completely different looks when printed in other colors.  

• Tattoo - piano black with low gloss patterning
• Shibori- layered transparent grey and selective brushing
• Gradations of Color - bronze and copper
• Patina - cool gun metal colors
• Custom Linear Finish - white on white
• Shape Shifting Texture- transparent aqua fading to grey

What finish or pattern would you like to see translated in red?  What product would you add red trim to?

Request samples of these finishes to see the variety of possibilities available to you in this dramatic powerful series of aluminum finishes.

Aluminium Trim or Aluminum Trim?

However you spell or say it, aluminium or aluminum, we love it.  Aluminum is the base material for the majority of our finishes used in decorative trim and nameplates.  The first gauges manufactured by Northern Engraving over one hundred years ago used aluminum.  Technology has advanced the options available when decorating and working with aluminum today.

Why do we like aluminum? 

• versatility in decorating - brushing, spinning, printing, anodizing
• flexibility in forming and embossing - complex shapes and multi-level emboss
• functionality - light weight and corrosion resistant substrate
• sustainability - can be recycled endlessly with no degradation

Aluminum or Aluminium Facts:

Atomic Number: 13

Periodic Table Symbol: Al

Note on Naming: Sir Humphry Davy proposed the name aluminum for the metal, however, the name aluminum was adopted to conform with the "ium" ending of most elements. This spelling is in use in most countries including the U.S. until 1925, when the American Chemical Society officially decided to use the name aluminum instead. 

Sources: Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust (8.1%), although it is not found free in nature.

Recycling: Aluminum products can be endlessly remanufactured with only 5% of the energy and emission originally required to produce the virgin product.

Whatever you call aluminum and however you pronounce it, there are many options available to you in aluminum surface design.  You can customize finishes from our library of patterns in color, gloss and scale to meet your design intent.  The patterns can be applied overall or selectively in decorative trim or integrated into nameplates and badges.

Why do you like aluminum?  What type of aluminum finishes do you prefer?

Request samples of aluminum finishes to explore the possibilities available with this versatile substrate.
 

Aluminum Patterns for Decorative Trim

The warm metal colors shown in this group of aluminum finishes are a versatile option in decorative trim.  The copper or bronze color is roll coated or screen printed on aluminum using transparent inks building on the reflective nature of the aluminum.  The patterns use a screen printed resist and brush process to add movement to the finish.  Additional detail and texture is printed in layers building on the warm metal colors.

What type of application do you see for these finishes?  Do you prefer the more technical or organic finishes in this color way? 

Request samples of the finishes to see the movement and feel the texture. 

Organic Finishes on Aluminum

Blend polar extremes.  Balance is found between modernity and gathered natural references.  Ancient crafts and advanced technology combine.

The Origin mood board includes organic structures based on the familiar colors and structures in woodgrains.  The video summarizes the inspiration and processes behind the woodgrain-like aluminum finishes.  The finishes can be integrated into decorative trim for automotive, appliance and electronic applications.  Request samples to see the subtle effects in the woodgrain-like finishes.

I've asked my fellow co-workers to write a short note on their favorite finish.  Yes, we actually have favorites.  What one person loves another hates.  It's fun to look at the aluminum finishes through the eyes of another.  Each of us bring our technical background to the table.  We each look at aspects of a finish that others don't consider.  This is where the discussion begins about the possibilities.  So, here is our first guest blogger article.

Guest Blogger

		Kevin Rink Process Chemist Kevin works in the Northern Engraving Central Lab.  He is responsible for research and development of new inks and coatings.
One of my favorite finishes is NEC-108-A.  This mechanical finish employs irregular interweavings of semi circles which adds a dimension of depth via a 3-D effect.  This finish seems chaotic, yet imparts a sense of luxury with the smooth satin finish.  It allows one to stand out and be different from the rest.  Although the finish seems busy, you get the sense that it is very versatile and could find its way in automotive, nameplate, and appliance applications.  The striking mechanical finish makes you take notice and move in for a closer look.  Once you do this, you take note of the intricacies and depth of this finish.  It is what you want it to be.

What are your thoughts on this organic mechanical finish on aluminum?  Thumbs up or thumbs down?

Organic Engine Stripe

Engine stripe with a twist or should I say rethought?  What if engine stripe wasn't so polished?  What if it wasn't so precise?  Could it be more random?  Could we create more of a handcrafted look? These were some of the questions that set us off on a path exploring the possibilities available to us when we break down the traditional boundaries of the engine striping process.

This engine stripe is softer and slightly random.  It is only one of the possibilities which opened up to us during our exploration of the engine stripe process.  Both engineered and random engine stripe themes were explored.  Mood boards featuring aluminum finishes based on these themes were created to begin telling the story about what happens when you take a traditional metal process and add a twist.

How would you stir things up on metal?

Design Center Tour

The Northern Engraving Design Center is an inspirational resource for patterns and structures on aluminum. Trend presentations and mood boards feature finishes developed around themes. All can be customized or used as is in decorative trim or nameplates. 

Come visit us to explore the possibilities.  Our Design Center video is a preview of some of the things you will see during your visit.

Decorative Metal Ceilings

Aluminum ceiling tiles combine mechanical finishes, printing, coating and forming providing an unlimited pallet of unique patterns, textures and color.  Collaboration behind a custom tile often begins with a concept drawing.  The custom aluminum tile shown here was developed to be an interlocking finish creating a design flowing across the tiles.  Our library of aluminum finishes includes many patterns which are created off of a base element which is repeated.  The aluminum ceiling tiles are a larger version of this process.  Concept drawings explore options in scale, color and overall design prior to committing to prototypes.

The dramatic ceiling manufactured for Gage Corporationfor Foxwoods Casino Resort uses one aluminum ceiling panel to create the interlocking pattern.  It takes advantage of the reflective metal using transparent gold for a shimmering opulent ceiling.

We are surrounded by patterns.  Have you ever stepped back to look for the repeat in a pattern?  What is the base element that makes up the design?  Complicated and intricate designs are often made of the most basic shapes.

What ideas do you have for creating a pattern, large or small, based on a single element?  What processes would you use to translate the pattern to metal?