Anodised Aluminium Scratch Remover

I'd call it an eraser.

It is completely incredible that the facility has no access to purchase trails so as to re-order consumables that support its main line of business, and has to resort to asking anonymous strangers on a global internet Engineering forum to continue its operations.

It is completely incredible that there is only one of these things at the facility, and that operations grind to a halt because someone has "lost it".

Where is the Risk Assessment?

Where is the Management?

Sheesh!

It's very common for people to either bypass the system because they don't like paperwork or because they become "King of the Hill" when no one else knows the secret handshake. The ultimate result is similar to the OP's posting (but usually worse).

google abrasive blocks

The problem really is, you aren't protecting the surface during your manufacturing operations. You should never have to 'fix' the scratches if the metal surface was properly protected. Join the rest of the world in the 21st Century: Buy a blue film applicator and use it on any surface that might get scratched. You might even have your sheet metal parts supplier apply this before shipping the parts to you. Here's one example of the film; you could probably find dozens of suppliers with just a bit of research:

http://www.prestotape.com/products_protection_films.php

Polishing is no good, as it removes the very anodizing you manufactured earlier. Go with #6 USB's recommendation of the soft, stretchable protective film. Leave it on for the customer to remove, No scratch, no complaint, easy.

I have just taken responsibility for this dept. I am trying to find out what this rubber/eraser is so this will not happen again. It has been found now, but I still don't know how it works. If you use an abrasive on the anodising to remove the scratch it will either polish the surface and make the blemish worse or if a more coarse abrasive is used it will make more scratches. This rubber does not leave a mark at all but the scratch is gone. It was given to one of the lads by a visiting rep. No one knows who.

As to covering everything this would increase costs and would price us out of the market. The sheets are covered from the supplier. It is the frame work that has the odd scratch on it.

Thanks to the people that have tried to answer my question, you obviously live in the real world.

I'd still like to see it identified. Just out of curiosity.

Can you post a picture of it?

I wasn't suggesting covering everything, just the parts likely to get scratched.

Yes the film adds an expense, but really, the film is comparitively cheap. Labor is (usually) expensive.

Re-anodizing is an expense. Dealing with problems down the road due to the removal of the anodizing is another expense.

But, you're the only one here who knows your product, so I'm not going to presume anything here. If you're satisfied with your methods, that's all that matters.

You may want to consider going to Global Spec and/or Thomas Register and finding six or eight anodizers that have an email address or a website that will lead you to an email address... they don't need to be near-by... and simply sending your question to all of them. Surely there will be someone somewhere that realizes what you are referring to and will be willing to help you with some information or give you a lead.

Good luck.

Thanks for getting back to us with the final result. Doesn't always happen.

I, for one, have been keen to know what the rubber was.

Thanks for getting back to us. I think that soft anodyzing is really useful to keep your hands from getting black by handling the stuff, and the fact that it doesn't take dye (or dirt) very easily is a bonus. So it does have its place.

My experience with aluminum is mostly confined to airplanes and wheel rims, but its one of those materials which comes through my shop from time to time. I think that the fact that you shared your "secret" to getting a good looking competitive product out on time and within budget is truly appreciated, and shows good character.

Thank you.

Cratex rubberized abrasive is good

http://www.cratex.com/