FAB to FINISH Production Experience Returns to FABTECH – Adds New Production Step 

FABTECH 2023 will once again feature CCAI’s popular FAB to FINISH Production Experience. The program, launched at FABTECH 2017, enables show attendees to experience the production of a part first-hand, from fabricating to finishing. The process starts at the Mazak Optonics booth where participants pick up a souvenir laser cut part and a production route card. The cards direct attendees to participating FINISHING exhibitors where they experience a variety of finishing operations. 

The first stop in the FINISHING Pavilion takes participants to the Mighty Hook booth where they pick up a hanger. The hanger enables touch-free transport of the part throughout each step and is also used to appropriately position the part for pretreating, powder coating, and curing. At the coating step, participants can choose a color and try their hand at powder coating their own part.  

Some participants will receive route cards that include a selective plating process. For this route in addition to a hanger, participants will receive a mask when they arrive in the FINISHING Pavilion. The mask will cover the area of the part that will be plated after the pretreat, powder coating, and curing processes. Prior to plating, the mask used during the previous production steps is removed then, a copper plating is applied. 

New to FAB to FINISH this year, all participants can check their powder coating skills with a final stop at the DeFelsko booth. Using testing instruments, they can measure the coating thickness and consistency on their part and compare the results to a “gold standard” part that will be on display in the DeFelsko booth. 

After completing the fabrication and finishing processes, participants can take their part home as a souvenir of their time at FABTECH.