Patent Application
20140131208
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to metallic shells and a method for etching a pattern on the metallic shells.
2. Description of Related Art
Electronic devices, such as notebook computers, include a shell for receiving electronic components of the electronic device. A pattern is formed on an outer surface of the shell for identifying a trademark or manufacturer of the electronic device. However, the color of the pattern is the same as the color of the outer surface, which makes the pattern indistinctive and sometimes hard to read.
Therefore, there is room for improvement in the art.
Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.”
Referring to
Referring to
The protecting layer 102 with a first color (such as silver) is formed by anodizing the metal layer 101 a first time. The protecting layer 102 evenly coats the outer surface 103, the bottom surface 104, the base portions 301, and the sidewalls 302. Because the outer surface 103, the base portions 301, and the sidewalls 302 are all coated by the protective layer 102, the color of the pattern 200 is substantially the same as the color of the metal layer 101. As a result, the color of the pattern 200 is not distinguished from the color of the metal layer 101.
Referring to
Referring also to
Referring to
In step S210, a metal layer 101 is provided, wherein an outer surface 103 of the metal layer 101 defines a plurality of engraving portions 300 for forming the pattern 200. Each engraving portion 300 includes a base portion 301 and a sidewall 302 connected between the base portion 301 and the outer surface 103.
In step S220, the metal layer 101 is anodized a first time to form a protecting layer 102 having a first color, the protecting layer 102 coats the outer surface 103, the base portions 301, and the sidewalls 302.
In step S230, a portion of the protecting layer 102 coating the sidewall 302 is removed by a cutting tool (such as diamond milling cutter) to form a bare metal surface 303.
In step S240, the metal layer 101 is anodized a second time to form an antioxidation coating 105 coating the bare metal surface 303, the antioxidation coating 105 having a second color different from the first color of the protecting layer 102. As a result, the pattern 200 is distinguished because of the contrast in color between the antioxidation coating 105 and the protecting layer 102.
Although information as to, and advantages of, the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the present embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only; and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present embodiments to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012104524609 | Nov 2012 | CN | national |
