Donahue Industries, Inc. | A full service international metal components manufacturer
  • Grinding Wheel Industry
    • Abrasive Wheel Inserts
    • Cup Wheel (Spider) Bushings
    • Disc Wheel Inserts
    • Reducing Adapter Bushings
    • Reusable Adapter Kits
    • Safety Backs
    • Throw-away Mounting Flanges
    • Threaded Hex Inserts
  • Wire Rope Industry
    • Fractional Wire Rope Gauges
    • Metric Wire Rope Gauges
    • How To Use A Wire Rope Gauge
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A beginner's guide to metal manufacturing 

4/2/2015

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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:
  • Aluminum
  • Electrolytic steel
  • Stainless steel
For large runs (10,000+ parts)
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
For small runs (less than 10,000 parts)
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
For large runs (10,000 parts)
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
For large runs (10,000+ parts)
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.
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​Grinding Wheel Industry
   Abrasive wheel inserts
   Cup wheel (spider) bushings
   Disc wheel inserts
   Reducing adapter bushings
   Reusable adapter kits
   Safety backs
   Throw-away mounting flanges
   Threaded hex inserts

Wire Rope Industry
   Fractional sheave gauges
   Metric sheave gauges
   How to use a sheave gauge
Customize
About
Contact
Donahue Industries



​
Donahue Industries, Inc. is a full service international metal stamping manufacturer in Massachusetts specializing in parts for the grinding wheel and wire rope industries. 

Donahue Industries, Inc.
5 Industrial Drive
Shrewsbury, MA  01545-5835

Phone: (001) 508-845-6501
Fax: (001) 508-842-7665
sales@donahueindustries.com