Anodising at Tranquil
Since the end of December 2011, Tranquil have been developing and
enhancing anodised finishing processes for its range of CNC cut PCs.
In April 2012 the main development phase was completed and the
professional line was completed. The line is now capable of
finishing high numbers of units, to very high standards.
The 19 stage line ensures that every unit receives the same
treatment, with exact timing and temperature control. The final
treatment ensures optimal cooling for the systems as well as a deep
protective and decorative surface.
Anodising is by no mean a new industrial process, it’s been around
since 1923, for protecting sea plane parts – then in 1927 the
process of using sulphuric acid was patented. In simple terms the
process causes or ‘grows’ aluminium oxide on the surface of the
aluminium, this is done by passing very high currents at low
voltages and carefully controlled temperatures between the aluminium
part, and a (lead) cathode whilst being submersed in a suitable
electrolyte (sulphuric acid).
This ‘growth’ is very porous initially, before it is sealed, and
accepts coloured dyes. It not only provides a protective barrier to
the aluminium, it also is extremely hard! It also greatly enhances
the cooling effect of the aluminium surface. The ultimate cooling
surface is known as a ‘black body’ a very matt black material that
gives off (emits) the most heat per square meter of surface –
careful and specialised anodising can actually improve the ‘black
body’ effect still further! There is a huge amount of science behind
black body cooling (ie Wien’s displacement law)
By very carefully controlling chemical balances, temperatures,
process times and cleanliness it is possible to get very close to
the perfect ‘black body’ and that combined with very high surface
areas (typically over 300,000 sq mm on Tranquil systems) means
systems operate without the need for force air cooling (fans) but do
not heat up excessively – even when using powerful CPUs!
All units are normally satin black but a small number of ‘coloured’
pilot runs have been completed, with attractively finished machines
in purples, and orange.
Tranquil’s controlled processes ensures that finishes are excellent and consistent – i.e. as seen on the front panel of a high end Audio system component…
Or here..
