Wexmar provides outside processing management so buyers can order finished machined parts from one source. We machine your parts in-house, then send them through qualified outside processors for heat treat, plating, anodizing, passivation, black oxide, and powder coat, and manage the schedule, paperwork, and inspection until the finished parts ship. If you are looking for machined parts with finishing or heat treat and plating coordination handled by your machine shop, our Canastota, New York shop near Syracuse manages that work for you.
What outside processing management is
Most machined parts need at least one process after machining. Few machine shops perform all of them in-house, and Wexmar does not either. We do not heat treat, plate, anodize, passivate, black oxide, or powder coat on our own floor. Instead, we work with qualified outside processors and take responsibility for the handoffs: preparing parts, writing purchase orders to the correct specifications, tracking lots, receiving parts back, verifying certifications, and inspecting parts again before they ship to you. You issue one purchase order and receive one shipment of finished parts with a complete certification package.
Processes we manage
| Process | Typical purpose | Common specification examples |
|---|---|---|
| Heat treat | Hardening, stress relief, annealing, precipitation hardening | Per drawing hardness and process callout |
| Plating | Corrosion resistance, wear, conductivity, appearance | Zinc, electroless nickel, and other platings per drawing spec |
| Anodizing | Corrosion and wear protection for aluminum | Type II decorative, Type III hardcoat, per MIL-A-8625 or drawing |
| Passivation | Clean and restore corrosion resistance on stainless | ASTM A967 or AMS 2700 per drawing |
| Black oxide | Mild corrosion resistance and dark finish on steel | Per drawing spec |
| Powder coat | Durable colored coating | Per drawing color and specification |
The specification on your drawing controls. If a callout is incomplete, such as anodize with no type or class, we ask before sending parts out.
When a buyer needs managed outside processing
- Parts that require heat treatment between rough and finish machining
- Stainless parts that must be passivated before assembly
- Aluminum housings and components that need anodizing
- Steel parts with plating, black oxide, or powder coat callouts
- Buyers who want one supplier accountable for finished parts instead of managing several vendors
How machining and finishing fit together
Finishes change parts. Plating and hard anodize add thickness, heat treat can distort geometry, and threads and bores may need allowances or masking. We plan the machining around the finish: leaving grind or finish stock before heat treat, sizing threads and bores to account for coating build-up where the drawing calls for dimensions after finish, completing deburring before any coating, and specifying masking where needed. After heat treat, parts return for finish operations such as hard turning or grinding on our floor.
Wexmar machines behind the parts
Parts are machined on ten Mazak and Doosan CNC lathes with live tooling and Y-axis, four Maier MLK-32 Swiss machines for parts to 32 mm, and six Mazak horizontal machining centers with pallet changers, with in-house centerless and surface grinding. See our machine list.
Materials
We machine and manage finishing for carbon and alloy steels, 300-series, 400-series, and PH stainless, Nitronic 50, high-nickel alloys, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, titanium, and engineered plastics. The right finish depends on the material, and we will flag combinations that do not suit each other, such as a finish that the base material cannot accept.
How we choose outside processors
We use processors that can work to the specifications our customers call out, return certifications with each lot, and meet agreed turnaround times. When a customer requires a specific approved processor, we use that processor. Processor performance is tracked through our receiving inspection, and problems are addressed before the next lot is sent.
Quantity fit
Managed outside processing applies at every quantity. For small lots, processors often run parts with other customers' work, which may affect lead time. For production, we schedule processing capacity ahead of each release.
Inspection and documentation
Every returned lot is checked against the processor's certification and inspected on our floor, including dimensional checks on features affected by the process. Your package can include processor certifications, material certifications, heat-lot traceability, CMM reports, and AS9102-format first articles under our ISO 9001:2015-aligned quality system.
Getting a quote
List every finish and heat treat specification on your drawing or request. You can upload a drawing for an instant estimate, and a human estimator confirms every quote, including outside processing time and cost. Call (315) 400-2654 or email ron@backwell.com, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern.