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Precision manufacturing. Stronger together.Manufacturing Services & Support

From prototype to production, coordinated manufacturing solutions for your custom parts.

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Solutions

Thermal Technologies

Choose air- or liquid-cooling components around your thermal and mechanical requirements.

Stepped aluminum heat sink with copper contact insert — illustrative concept
Explore Thermal Technologies

Heat Sinks

Liquid Cooling

AI & Data Center Cooling

Manufacturing support for your cold plates, manifolds and cooling assemblies.

Processor cold plates and distribution manifold — illustrative concept
Explore AI Cooling

AI Compute Cooling

Distribution & Assembly

AI Cooling Interfaces
  1. Cold PlateHeat-source interface
  2. ManifoldCoolant distribution
  3. CDU InterfaceConnection requirements
  4. Rack / LoopAssembly integration
Review component fit across your cooling system.

Industry Cooling Solutions

Find components for your power electronics, energy, laser and telecom application.

Machined power module cooling plate — illustrative concept
Explore Industry Cooling

Power Electronics

EV & Energy

Laser & Telecom

Industries

High-Tech & Electronics

Components for your electronic systems.

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Applications & Project Inquiries

Precision & Advanced Systems

Start with your functional and quality requirements.

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Applications & Project Inquiries

Industrial & Energy

Build around your operating environment.

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Applications & Project Inquiries

Materials

From prototype to production, review material performance, manufacturability and cost for your part.

Engineering Plastics

Match your polymer to function, process and environment.

→
ABS — illustrative material conceptABSReview enclosure and molding needs›Polycarbonate (PC) — illustrative material conceptPolycarbonate (PC)Discuss clarity and impact needs›Nylon (PA) — illustrative material conceptNylon (PA)Review moisture and wear conditions›POM / Acetal — illustrative material conceptPOM / AcetalReview fit and sliding features›PEEK — illustrative material conceptPEEKDiscuss operating conditions›PTFE — illustrative material conceptPTFEReview friction and chemical exposure›ULTEM / PEI — illustrative material conceptULTEM / PEIDiscuss thermal and electrical needs›

Elastomers & Specialty Materials

Confirm grade availability and application requirements.

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Elastomers
Silicone / LSR — illustrative material conceptSilicone / LSRDiscuss flexible component needs›TPU / TPE — illustrative material conceptTPU / TPEReview flexibility and processing›EPDM — illustrative material conceptEPDMReview weathering and chemical exposure.›NBR — illustrative material conceptNBRReview oil and fuel exposure.›FKM — illustrative material conceptFKMReview temperature and chemical exposure.›
Specialty Materials
G10 / FR4 — illustrative material conceptG10 / FR4Review insulation and laminate needs›Composites — illustrative material conceptCompositesReview stiffness, weight and laminate.›Customer-Specified MaterialsConfirm your grade and requirements.›Other Specialty MaterialsDiscuss your application and grade.›
Resources

Design & Engineering

Practical guidance for your part geometry and material decisions.

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Cost & Planning

Prepare your process, budget and sourcing questions.

Explore Planning Topics

Learn & Proof

Build your knowledge before production.

Explore Learning Paths
About Us

About LK MFG

Learn who we are and how we operate.

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Get in Touch

Find our U.S. support team or start a conversation.

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sales@lkmfg.com (945) 409-1013

1750 Briercroft Ct, Suite 204
Carrollton, TX 75006, USA

YOUR METAL. YOUR DEPOSIT. YOUR FINISHED FIT.

Electroplating Services for Your Metal Parts & Assemblies

Bring your base metal, plating specification and critical interfaces into one review. Define layer sequence, significant surfaces, contact points and acceptance before processing.

Start with 1 controlled drawing + base metal, deposit specification and quantity. Plating chemistry, responsible processor and supply scope are confirmed for your project.

Electroplated precision shaft, bracket, electrical terminal and threaded hardware
Illustrative electroplated component concepts.
  • ✓ Base metal & preparation review
  • ✓ Masking & rack contact planning
  • ✓ Deposit & significant surfaces
  • ✓ Final dimensions & acceptance
  • ✓ Dallas-area coordination

Substrate Review

Identify grade and condition

Deposit Review

Review the complete layer system

Masking Plan

Protect significant interfaces

Sample Evidence

Approve actual plated samples

U.S. Coordination

Dallas-area project support

5 Decisions Before Your Parts Are Plated

Make your finished requirement clear before comparing price or approving samples.

01

Your Metal

Substrate, welds and incoming surface.

02

Your Deposit

Metal layer, sequence and specification.

03

Your Fit

Threads, bores and significant surfaces.

04

Your Function

Corrosion, contact, wear or appearance needs.

05

Your Order

Quantity, inspection and delivery scope.

Electroplating Metal Parts Around Your Assembly

Select your part, then review the preparation, plating and acceptance decisions that affect its use.

Plan Your Plated Fasteners Around Final Thread Fit

For electroplating fasteners, specify the material condition, thread acceptance and applicable post-treatment requirements.

Your interfacesThread fit, bearing faces and recessed heads.
Your functionSignificant surfaces and approved sample.
Your orderQuantity, packing and delivery requirements.
Fasteners & Hardware — Your Part — illustrative electroplated metal component
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

6 Checkpoints from Your Drawing to Repeat Supply

Plated Samples — illustrative electroplating review
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Approve a Representative Plated Sample

Review local thickness, appearance, final fit and agreed functional tests on actual plated parts.

A bright appearance does not establish deposit thickness, adhesion, corrosion performance or functional fit.

Resolve 8 Plating Risks Before Processing

Review these features before your finishing route and sample plan are released.

Define Final Dimensions and Thickness Locations

Electroplating thickness adds material and changes fits. Specify final dimensions and local measurement positions; deposit thickness can vary with geometry and current distribution.

Your inputFinal limits, layer stack and significant locations.
Our reviewDeposit allowance and measurement access.
Deposit Build & Fit — illustrative electroplated detail
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Choose Your Substrate and Plating as One System

Review the exact metal, incoming condition and intended environment.

Steel & Fasteners — illustrative electroplating review
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Steel & Fasteners

Electroplating steel requires the exact grade, strength, incoming condition and applicable post-treatment controls.

Stainless Steel — illustrative electroplating review
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Stainless Steel

Electroplating stainless steel needs substrate-specific activation and an agreed deposit system; confirm processor scope.

Aluminum — illustrative electroplating review
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Aluminum

Electroplating aluminum requires a suitable preparation and intermediate-layer route, reviewed for the exact alloy.

Brass & Copper — illustrative electroplating review
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Brass & Copper

Electroplating brass or copper depends on the base alloy and intended deposit. Clarify whether electroplating copper means the substrate or deposited layer.

Deposit Families — illustrative electroplating review
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Deposit Families

Zinc nickel plating and other alloy deposits are distinct systems. Nickel electroplating services or zinc electroplating services require complete specifications and availability confirmation.

Functional Contacts — illustrative electroplating review
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Functional Contacts

Copper electroplating services, tin electroplating services and precious-metal deposits are reviewed against layer sequence and functional requirements; no blanket chemistry availability is promised.

Choose corrosion protection from the complete substrate, deposit and post-treatment system. Salt-spray results do not directly predict service life. Silver electroplating services and gold electroplating services need a project-specific chemistry and processor review; request confirmation before ordering.

Plan Your Deposit, Samples and Repeat Orders

Compare the same layer system, significant surfaces and acceptance scope.

System Review

Confirm base metal, layers, preparation and masks.

Plated Sample

Review local thickness, fit and specified tests.

Repeat Release

Control revision, plated sample and deposit requirements.

4 Cost Groups to Compare

Preparation & base-metal condition
Racks, masks & processing setup
Deposit, post-treatment & inspection
Records, protection & delivery

PLANNING EXAMPLE — NOT A PRICE OR MINIMUM ORDER

Count Your Significant Locations

3 specified locations × 120 parts= 360 location checks

Illustrates a full-inspection planning count only. Actual sampling, locations, tests and processing charges follow your agreed scope.

From Your Bare Part to Its Finished Condition

The electroplating process uses electrical current to deposit a metal layer on a prepared conductive surface. Electroless plating uses a different deposition mechanism; the routes are not interchangeable.

01 Prepare & Activate

Prepare & Activate — illustrative plating stage
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Confirm base metal, cleaning and the specified activation route.

02 Rack or Load

Rack or Load — illustrative plating stage
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Protect interfaces and use the agreed fixturing or bulk-handling route.

03 Plate & Post-Treat

Plate & Post-Treat — illustrative plating stage
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Deposit the specified layer system and complete required subsequent treatments.

04 Inspect & Protect

Inspect & Protect — illustrative plating stage
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Review local thickness, final fits and agreed records before packing.

Layer sequence, bath route, post-treatment and any specified embrittlement controls are confirmed in your quotation. No general process description replaces your purchase specification.

Agree 6 Checks for Your Receiving Team

Set electroplating tolerances by finished feature and inspection state; agree evidence before production.

Agree 6 Checks for Your Receiving Team

Substrate & RevisionMetal, incoming condition and drawing.
Layer System & Post-TreatPreparation, layer sequence and required post-treatment evidence.
Thickness & CoverageSpecified locations, limits and method.
AppearanceSignificant faces and approved sample.
Masks & Final FitThreads, significant surfaces and mating features.
Release EvidenceSampling, agreed tests and protection.

Electroplating adhesion and any required corrosion, electrical or other tests need agreed methods and acceptance limits. Appearance alone does not establish performance.

First Plated Samples — illustrative plating inspection
Illustrative inspection concept. Tests and records agreed for your part.

Plating Decisions for Your Product

Industrial Interfaces — illustrative electroplated component
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Industrial Interfaces

Review wear, mating surfaces, deposit and service exposure.

Electrical Contacts — illustrative electroplated component
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Electrical Contacts

Electroplating for electronics needs specified contact function, layer stack and acceptance evidence.

Fasteners & Hardware — illustrative electroplated component
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Fasteners & Hardware

Control thread fit, corrosion requirements and any applicable post-treatment.

Precision Components — illustrative electroplated component
Illustrative electroplated component concept.

Precision Components

Electroplating for automotive applications needs project-specific drawings and qualification evidence; no industry approval is implied.

Illustrative application concepts. Suitability and required evidence are project-specific; no customer case study or industry qualification is implied.

China Manufacturing. Dallas-Area Coordination.

Coordinate your drawing review, plated samples and delivery requirements.

LK Dongguan factory exterior
LK Dongguan factory exterior. Plating route and responsible processor confirmed for your project.

Dallas Contact

Project communication and coordination.

Plating Route

Scope and processor confirmed in your quote.

Acceptance Records

Agree plating checks and release documents.

Delivery Plan

Confirm surface protection and logistics.

6 Inputs for Your Electroplating Quote

  1. 01Controlled drawing + part dimensions/weight
  2. 02Base metal, grade, strength + incoming condition
  3. 03Deposit, layer sequence + specification revision
  4. 04Significant surfaces, masks + final fits
  5. 05Trial, first-order + annual quantities
  6. 06Post-treatments, tests, records + delivery needs

For industrial electroplating services, identify who supplies the part and who owns preparation, plating, post-treatment and final acceptance.

Answers Before Your First Order

What is electroplating?

Electroplating uses an external electrical current to deposit metal on a prepared conductive part. The base metal, deposit, layer sequence, significant surfaces and post-treatment determine the relevant review. It differs from electroless deposition and chemical conversion coatings.

Electroplating vs electroless plating: which fits your part?

Compare base metal, geometry, deposit properties, internal coverage, local thickness and service function. Electrolytic nickel and electroless nickel are different processes. Availability, uniformity and required evidence must be reviewed for the exact specification.

Rack plating vs barrel plating: how do you choose?

Rack plating individually fixtures parts; barrel plating bulk-processes suitable robust parts. Consider geometry, quantity, nesting, contact marks, surface damage and significant surfaces. A rack-plated sample may not represent a later barrel process.

Does electroplating change dimensions, and can it affect threads?

Yes. Deposited layers add material. Specify finished thread gauges, bore and shaft limits, local thickness locations and the complete layer stack. Thickness can vary by current distribution; one nominal value does not establish every finished fit.

Can electroplating be selectively masked?

Mark excluded areas, significant surfaces, rack contacts and transition boundaries. Confirm chemical compatibility, solution access, feasible masking and inspection with the responsible processor before sample approval.

How much does electroplating cost, and what is the minimum order?

Compare deposit chemistry, layer sequence, area, local thickness, racking or barrel route, masking, quantity, post-treatment, testing and packaging. Small batch electroplating can involve minimum processing charges. No universal minimum order or price is promised.

How long does electroplating take?

Separate engineering review, preparation, processing, required post-treatments, inspection and transport. Material condition, layer system, fixture needs and specified tests affect your actual schedule. Confirm milestones in the quotation.

How to specify electroplating on a drawing?

State base metal and condition, deposit and layer sequence, specification/revision, thickness and significant locations, masks, allowable contacts, post-treatments, finished dimensions, appearance, tests and records. Include real quantities and delivery needs for your electroplating quote.

3 Approvals Before Your Production Release

Your Drawing

Layer callout, significant surfaces and final fits.

Your Sample

Representative deposit, fit and specified functions.

Your Scope

Processor, evidence, protection and delivery.

Confirm these together before releasing repeat production.