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© 2020 SYMBIOFCELL SA. All rights reserved. Symbio FCell Proprietary Information. The information contained in this document is protected by
international laws relating to intellectual property. This document and the information contained herein may not be summarized, translated, modified,
copied or otherwise adapted to a third party’s needs without the written permission of Symbio FCell. All information is subject to change without
notice and Symbio FCell does not warrant the information’s accuracy or correctness. Symbio FCell and the Symbio FCell logo are trademarks,
service marks or registered trademarks or service marks of Symbio FCell

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Table des matières
1. Purpose / Scope .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Cosmetic Evaluating System ....................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Designer Responsibility............................................................................................................................................... 3
4. Cosmetic Grading and inspection ............................................................................................................................... 3
4.1 Cosmetic Grading.................................................................................................................................................. 3
4.2 Time and Distance (T&D) Inspection Procedure .................................................................................................. 4
5. Cosmetic Reference Standards and Defect Tables ..................................................................................................... 5
5.1 Cosmetic Defect Definitions ................................................................................................................................. 5
5.2 Cosmetic Defect Tables ........................................................................................................................................ 6
5.2.1 Plastics ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
5.2.2 Coated & Formed Sheet Metal ...................................................................................................................... 7
5.2.3 Printed Information, Product Names, and Logos .......................................................................................... 8
5.2.4 Coated Machined Metal ................................................................................................................................ 9
5.2.5 Pre-Plated Metal .......................................................................................................................................... 10
5.2.6 Cast and Powder Metal ............................................................................................................................... 11
6. Control of Non-Conforming Material ....................................................................................................................... 11
7. Clear Sheet Inspection Guides .................................................................................................................................. 12
7.1 Plastics ................................................................................................................................................................ 13
7.2 Coated, formed sheet metal ............................................................................................................................... 14
7.3 Coated machined metal...................................................................................................................................... 14
7.4 Pre-Plated metal ................................................................................................................................................. 15
7.5 Cast and Powder metal....................................................................................................................................... 16
8. Glossary .................................................................................................................................................................... 17

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1. Purpose / Scope
This document outlines the global definition of cosmetic surfaces and the relative grading system, categories,
inspection criteria, as well as acceptability standards for both incoming and outgoing material for SYMBIO products.
This document also provides all organizations with a common language for cosmetic surface identification.

Scope:

Designers use this document for specifying cosmetic requirements on part and assembly drawings.
Production and Quality personnel use this document for inspection procedures.
Inspection personnel use the defect tables in assisting in accept or reject decisions.
All suppliers of material used in SYMBIO's products use this document for fabrication and inspection purposes.
Where other drawings, procedures or standards call out specific cosmetic standards, these take precedence over
this document.

2. Cosmetic Evaluating System

Cosmetic Categories: There are different levels of cosmetic importance defined by how the end user views the
product thus, distinguishing between surfaces requiring strict cosmetic requirements and those of less importance
in the final location of the assembly seen by the end user. See section 4, Cosmetic Category Definitions defines
each category.

Cosmetic Inspection: This system provides cosmetic acceptance of parts viewed by the end user through visual
inspection for a specified time at a specified distance (T&D). Refer to Table 5.1, Time and Distance for the
inspection method. Only the final appearance of a finished part surface must meet the specified cosmetic
requirements. Any preceding operations are prepared to enable compliance with the cosmetic requirements.

Manufacturing Process Control: Manufacturing steps which might affect finished-part appearance shall be
prepared to enable compliance with the referenced cosmetic specification drawing.

3. Designer Responsibility
The surface classification of a part is designated based on the categories shown in Table 5-1, Cosmetic Categories.

In the drawing, it is recommended that all surfaces are shown with cosmetic categories; however, unidentified
surfaces are a 'C' cosmetic code. Add the following note to the part drawing: 'Cosmetic Requirements per
Specification, STDXXXX’. Do not include the revision number. ?????

4. Cosmetic Grading and inspection

4.1 Cosmetic Grading
Grade cosmetic surfaces according to their final location on the part or assembly and how often the end user views
the surface in its final locations in the assembly. Refer to Table 4-1, Cosmetic Categories.

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Table 4-1 Cosmetic Categories

NOTE 1: Use the appropriate category for piece parts within an assembly. For example, when an unassembled
surface has A1 and A surfaces mated together, the inspection for each individual surface category applies. Do not
inspect the A as A1, or the A1 as A.

NOTE 2: If a part surface is coded C, flaws exceeding those allowed under C1 are permitted; however, when viewed
at the specified time and distance, the flaws must not be so obvious as to suggest inferior workmanship or
processing.

4.2 Time and Distance (T&D) Inspection Procedure

Use the T&D inspection procedure in Table 4-2, Time and Distance, to determine the cosmetic acceptability of
parts. All users of the T&D inspection procedure must be trained in category nomenclature in accordance with
Table 4-1, Cosmetic Categories and in T&D in accordance with Table 4-2, Time and Distance.

The T&D inspection procedure takes precedence over the objective evidence detailed in Section 6, Cosmetic
Reference Standards and Defect Tables. The defect tables support the T&D method. For example, defects noted
when working close to the product must be verified using the T&D inspection procedure.

• The defects pass when they cannot be observed using the requirements and conditions specified herein.

• The defects fail when they can be observed and equal or exceed the allowable values defined in the defect tables.

In the case of defects considered marginal or compromised by an inspector's prior knowledge, it is recommended
that an additional person (not having knowledge of the defect or the location) views the parts.
Under no circumstances can any defect compromise the functionality, performance, or safety of the individual part,
or the system where the part ultimately resides.

Table 4-2, Time and Distance, below, shows the viewing T&D for each designated area or surface. Inspect parts and
products under the following viewing conditions:

• Lighting should be sufficient to inspect the part (recommended 1000 Lux).

• Avoid over inspection, surface should not be inspected for more than the viewing time per table 5.1.

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• Do not use magnification when inspecting for cosmetic defects, unless otherwise specified.

• View surfaces at approximately 90 degrees. For category A1 and A, view surfaces once at 90 degrees and once at
30 to 45 degrees.

Table 4-2 Time and Distance

NOTE 2: Refer to Table 4-1, Cosmetic Categories, for examples of surfaces in each category type

5. Cosmetic Reference Standards and Defect Tables

5.1 Cosmetic Defect Definitions
The following defects are defined for clarification when determining if a surface meets the appropriate defect table
standards:

• Scratch: a continuous scraped line.

• Scuff: an area of light abrasion must be considered as a whole.

• Nick, dent, or gouge: an area with distinct material movement, or leaving an indent in the base material.

• Discoloration: areas of the surface in question that are not consistent, an unintended contrasting shade on the
surface or in the material. Change from original color or inconsistent color within the same part. Color Matching
between adjacent parts falls in these criteria.

• Non-uniform machining marks: a given area where the machining marks and/or patterns are visibly different,
and it is visually obvious on a continuous surface area. Each distinct machined surface must be considered
separately.

• Gouge through to base material: a gouge in a finished surface that causes the material to be displaced,
creating a distinct burr or divot. Shiny areas on aluminum surface are not otherwise considered 'through to base
material'.

• Extrusion marks: non-uniform surface that appears to be slightly cracked or checked

 Burrs: a rough or sharp edge caused by manufacturing processes.

 Oxidation/Rust: Reaction due to a metal and oxygen combination

NOTE 3: Cosmetic flaws can be acceptable but must not be so obvious or consistent.

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5.2 Cosmetic Defect Tables
5.2.1 Plastics
Table 5-1 Plastics – Maximum Allowable Defects

Some example of defects:

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5.2.2 Coated & Formed Sheet Metal
Table 5-2 Coated & Formed Sheet Metal – Maximum Allowable Defects

NOTE 4: At defect code S07, defects that compromise the coating effectiveness are not acceptable. Therefore, if
the defect affects the base metal, it is not acceptable

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5.2.3 Printed Information, Product Names, and Logos
Printed Information – Maximum Allowable Defects, below, shows the cosmetic reference standard for printed
information, pad printing, screen printing, printed labels, nameplates and logos.

Table 5-3 Printed Information – Maximum Allowable Defects

NOTE 5: At defect code I10, printed label, part number, and serial number labels must be read by a barcode reader
and with naked eye.

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5.2.4 Coated Machined Metal
Coated Machined Metal – Maximum Allowable Defects shows the cosmetic reference standard for coated machine
metal surfaces that received phosphate coating, chromate conversion, passivation, or are uncoated.

Table 5-4 Coated Machined Metal – Maximum Allowable Defects

NOTE 6: At defect codes M02, M03, M06, and M07 defects that compromise the coating effectiveness are not
acceptable. Therefore, if the defect affects the base metal, it is not acceptable.

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5.2.5 Pre-Plated Metal
Table 5-5 Pre-Plated Metal – Maximum Allowable Defects

NOTE 7: At defect code PR02, defects that compromise the coating effectiveness are not acceptable. If the defect
affects the base metal, it is not acceptable.

NOTE 8: At defect code PR07, category C, oxidation must not be more than a fine layer and there must be no loose
particles. Plating must not be compromised by, for example, flakes, peels, cracks, and so on.

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5.2.6 Cast and Powder Metal
Cast and Powder Metal – Maximum Allowable Defects shows the cosmetic reference standard for cast and powder
metal parts and assemblies (coated, painted, plated, anodized, phosphatizing, chromate conversion, and
uncoated).

Table 5-6 Cast and Powder Metal – Maximum Allowable Defects

NOTE 9: Cast and powdered metal cannot go through secondary machining or deburr operations after the final
application of the chemical film.

6. Control of Non-Conforming Material

If the product does not meet the above stated criteria, the team members should follow the non-conforming
material procedure.

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7. Clear Sheet Inspection Guides
This visual aid document contains guidance on five of Section 6 tables and 16 of the most common defects that
refer to a dimension and or surface area.

• Table 7-1 – Plastics

• Table 7-2 – Sheet Metal

• Table 7-3 – Coated Machined Metal

• Table 7-4 – Pre-Plated Metal

• Table 7-5 – Cast and Powder Metal

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7.1 Plastics

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7.2 Coated, formed sheet metal

7.3 Coated machined metal

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7.4 Pre-Plated metal

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7.5 Cast and Powder metal

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8. Glossary
Abrasion: area damaged by scraping or wearing away that does not remove or displace material

Base Metal: bare metal used to fabricate the part

Bend Line: a mark created parallel to an edge bend (created by press brake tooling)

Bleed Out: a discolored substance that runs out of seams or holes leaving a stain

Blistering: area of air, gas or moisture entrapment that causes non-adhesion or a bubbling surface finish

Burnish Marks: marks or lines caused by friction at the surface Burns: black or brown marks on the surface of a part
caused by overheating

Burrs: a rough or sharp edge caused by manufacturing processes such as punching, shearing, milling or drilling
Chipping: area where paint or coating has been mechanically displaced from the surface

Composition: foreign particulate that has been added to the base material

Corrosion: oxidation reaction of a metal when exposed to air or contaminant C

Rack: a narrow break or split in the material

Delamination: separation or peeling of a thin layer of material

Dent: a noticeable depression on a surface caused by a force or impact

Die Marks: a mark made by insertion tooling around the perimeter of inserted hardware

Ding: surface damage similar to a dent or nick

Discoloration: unintended contrasting shade on the surface or in the material

Ejector Pin Mark: a mark created by pins used to eject work piece from a tool, die or mold

Fisheye: a surface defect having the form of a spot or bubble

Flaking: area in which adhesion between the paint and surface is poor causing the paint to come off

Flash: excess material located around the mold parting line or internal shutoff areas Flash: plastic in unintended
areas, often at the parting line

Flow Marks: excess wavy or streaked appearance visible at the surface

Fracture: a break, fissure, or split

Gates: a point where plastic is injected in cavity / Area where the sprue intersects the molded part, often leaving a
small protrusion on the part

Gouge: a groove or depression caused by a sharp object that may dig into the base metal

Grease: a thick oily material that is often used as a lubricant causing shiny or glossy patches on the surface

Incomplete Fill/Cold Shot: areas of incomplete fill in the casting process

Insufficient/Excess Coverage: too much or too little paint or coating

Mark: a visible impression of something such as a line, cut, dent stain, or bruise that remains visible even after
coating

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Nick: a small notch, groove, or chip that is cut into a part or dented into a material Oil Spots: a hydrocarbon residue
remnant

Orange Peel/ Orange Skin: a paint defect caused by improper painting or drying which leaves a rippled or mottled
appearance on the surface similar to the appearance of the surface of an orange

Overspray: excess paint or other coating that spreads beyond the designated area

Oxidation: a coating of rust that leaves a discolored area on the surface

Parting Line: a raised line formed at the seam of two halves of the mold / Area where the two halves of the mold
come together, leaving a seam

Peeling: area where adhesion between paint and surface is poor causing paint to strip or rip off.

Pits: small craters on the surface

Porosity: a collection of multiple small voids or air bubbles in a material that shows on the surface as one or more
voids or bubbles

Protrusions: a section of material that extends beyond or above a surface

Punch Mark: mark on the surface caused by the punch process

Rainbow Effect: discoloration causing a colored appearance

Removable Particulate Foreign Material: air fibers, metal flakes, dirt, lint, specks, and other particles

Ripples: small undulations, ruffles or folds on a surface

Runs: area of excess paint that is noticeably thicker and flowed downward before drying

Rust: an area of corrosion or oxidation on a metal surface

Scratch: a long, narrow (less than 0.40mm wide) mark on the surface deep enough to catch the fingernail

Scuff: a light mark caused by scraping or wear that can be seen but not felt

Short-Shot: molded part that is incomplete because of insufficient material injected into mold

Sink Marks: a depression or dimple caused by non-uniform material shrinkage

Slug Mark: surface deformity caused by the punch process (Similar to punch mark)

Specks: See Pits

Split: a cleaved area in a section of material

Stains: a discoloration produced by foreign material having reacted with the surface or base material

Tooling Marks: impact from a tool during the fabrication process

Voids: an empty space, gap or opening in a material

Water spots: residue or discoloration remaining after water on the surface dries

Weld Line: area where molten plastic flows come together during injection molding without knitting together
leaving a mechanically weaker area

Welded Area showing burn: black area where welding process had excess heat or soot on the surface

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