Are you ready to go to mass production with your metal components but don't know where to start? This beginner's guide to metal manufacturing explains types of metal manufacturing and each type's metal options, run sizes, and pros and cons.
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SIMPLE: Using Metal Coils or Strips
Stamping: Forming metal coils or strips into shapes (blanks, embosses, and bends, for example) using a press (a single operation or a series of stages)
Metals used:
Pros: Rapid production time (seconds) and most cost-effective part pricing
Cons: Tooling generally costs from $10,000 to $50,000, and tooling changes are limited.
Laser Cutting: Cutting and etching metal using a laser, usually through optics and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) for material or laser beam control. The process leaves a high-quality surface finish and permanently etched parts.
Metals used:
Pros: No tooling needed
Cons: Slower process with longer turnaround time and higher prices
COMPLEX: Using Bar Stock or Melted Metal
Die Casting: Putting liquid metal into a mold under high pressure, commonly used for the production of complex geometries.
Metals used:
Pros: Rapid production time (seconds) and cost-effective part pricing
Cons: Tooling generally costs from $10,000 to $50,000, and tooling changes are limited.
Machining: Drilling and threading bar stock, commonly used in production of nuts.
Metals used:
Pros: Little or no tooling needed
Cons: Slower process with longer turnaround time and higher prices
Want to know more? Contact Curtis: 508-845-6501 x306 or sales@donahueindustries.com.
Stamping: Forming metal coils or strips into shapes (blanks, embosses, and bends, for example) using a press (a single operation or a series of stages)
Metals used:
- Aluminum
- Electrolytic steel
- Stainless steel
Pros: Rapid production time (seconds) and most cost-effective part pricing
Cons: Tooling generally costs from $10,000 to $50,000, and tooling changes are limited.
Laser Cutting: Cutting and etching metal using a laser, usually through optics and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) for material or laser beam control. The process leaves a high-quality surface finish and permanently etched parts.
Metals used:
- Aluminum
- Sheet steel
- Stainless steel
Pros: No tooling needed
Cons: Slower process with longer turnaround time and higher prices
COMPLEX: Using Bar Stock or Melted Metal
Die Casting: Putting liquid metal into a mold under high pressure, commonly used for the production of complex geometries.
Metals used:
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Lead
- Magnesium
- Tin
- Zinc
Pros: Rapid production time (seconds) and cost-effective part pricing
Cons: Tooling generally costs from $10,000 to $50,000, and tooling changes are limited.
Machining: Drilling and threading bar stock, commonly used in production of nuts.
Metals used:
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Stainless steel
Pros: Little or no tooling needed
Cons: Slower process with longer turnaround time and higher prices
Want to know more? Contact Curtis: 508-845-6501 x306 or sales@donahueindustries.com.