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Pros and cons of types of metal manufacturing

5/12/2016

23 Comments

 
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Need to make metal parts but having trouble navigating the processes? Use this beginner's guide to metal parts manufacturing.

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.
23 Comments
David Johnson link
12/6/2019 01:09:52 pm

That's crazy that with stamping it takes seconds to make a product. My boss just picked up a new construction project last week and we need parts. We'll have to look into metal stamping.

Reply
Tori Raddison link
12/10/2019 01:10:30 pm

It's awesome that stamping has a rapid production time because that'll save a lot of time. It'll be good to be able to mass-produce so many at one time. I'm going to talk to my business partner about using this method.

Reply
Fay link
1/15/2020 12:18:36 pm

Wow, I had no idea that aluminum can be used for metal stamping. My sister told me that she is looking for a metal stamping service. She said that she would like me to help her find the right option in her area.

Reply
Matt Bishop link
6/24/2020 01:11:42 am

This is one of the best write up on pros and cons of types of metal manufacturing.Such content must be made more and more available. Thank you for this article! This is really very informative.Thanks for such a nice blog. I must say this, if you get time can visit Bvtengineering.com for ideas on this topic.

Reply
rotating laser level link
9/4/2020 08:47:14 am

This article provides us information regarding pros and cons of types of the metal manufacturing. It provide us true and insightful information regarding it .So, anyone searching for same topic may find their shelter over here. This is a great article and you are banged on with your points about it.

Reply
Staplers NZ link
9/10/2020 12:09:56 am

All the things about the pros and cons of types of metal manufacturing are discussed over here. This article mentions and acts as such a moving trigger. It is an article worth applauding for based on its content. I am sure many people will come to read this in future.

Reply
Braden Bills link
2/19/2021 09:43:49 am

I need to get some metal coils put together, but I'm not sure how to go about it. It makes sense that I would want to get a professional to ensure that I get them put together right. I'll be sure to get a professional to help me out with this.

Reply
Kristofer Van Wagner link
2/25/2021 10:46:21 pm

I appreciate that this post mentioned that when choosing a metal fabrication, it is important for us to choose the right metal. My dad is planning to have some metal sheets fabricated. I will ask him to speak with an expert to ensure he chooses the proper metal material and ratio.

Reply
Adam Golightly link
3/3/2021 07:03:27 pm

I can see how a business could really benefit from getting the right supplies in order to be more effective with its system. Making sure that they can get some help from a professional could allow them to get the right metal in order to be more effective. It was interesting to learn about how they can use copper, aluminum, lead, magnesium, tin, and zinc when they put metal into a mold that is compressed in order to create a product.

Reply
Taylor Hicken link
5/25/2021 01:46:57 am

I appreciated it when you shared that you can use sheet steel for laser cutting applications to produce the product that you want. In this way, you can assure to acquire the desired product within a short period of time. I would like to think if a company is working with laser cutting application, it should consider getting sheet steels from a reliable supplier.

Reply
Chance Cook link
7/15/2021 01:59:27 pm

It's good to know that stainless steel can be used in laser cutting. I need a laser to cut out my parts. Otherwise, they won't be as precise, besides, I was hoping to use stainless steel anyways.

Reply
Beverly Minyard link
7/15/2021 02:01:26 pm

It's interesting that laser cutting has a slower process time. I would have thought that it would be faster. My brother is going into welding school in the fall so I wanted to read up on the different kinds of things he could do as a welder.

Reply
Mia Evans link
10/12/2021 08:24:02 pm

Thanks for helping me understand that die casting is when you put liquid metal into a mold under high pressure to produce the materials. I guess that is what is done from aluminum die casting processes which I heard earlier from my dad. It appears that he needs that kind of service to have our gate produced since the old one has been worn out after we bought this house ten years ago.

Reply
Millie Hue link
10/28/2021 01:31:06 am

It's great to know that there are options where the metal is manufactured in a rapid production time with the most cost-effective part pricing. I hope that there are steel supplies at an affordable price near me just like what you said. It's to have a steel gate built by professionals without breaking the bank, since I really need security for my family now that there has been an incident last week.

Reply
Kristofer Van Wagner link
12/9/2021 10:28:31 pm

I do agree that when looking for steel fabrication, it is important that we consider the materials used. My brother mentioned he needed to have some steels fabricated. I will remind him to be mindful of the materials he used.

Reply
Kristofer Van Wagner link
2/24/2022 02:46:18 am

I appreciate that this post reminded us that when we are looking to have metal fabrication, it is important that we choose the right material as it will impact on the durability and the outcome of the end product. I do believe that it is important for us to hire a professional contractor to ensure it is done properly. I will definitely keep this information in mind when I plan to have metal fabrication done.

Reply
John Carston link
3/31/2022 04:49:56 am

I love that you talked about the importance of considering the operation to know the best solution. My cousin informed me last night that he's looking for a steel metal fabrication service to help him get his projects done faster, and he asked if I had any suggestions. Thanks to your informative article, I'll be sure to tell him that consulting a reputable steel metal fabrication company will give him additional information and ideas about their services.

Reply
Victoria Addington link
9/1/2022 07:03:14 am

It got me when you discussed that laser cutting leaves a high-quality surface finish on aluminum. My friend wants their aluminum product to be precise in shape. I should advise him to hire an expert in aluminum fabrication to ensure a precise outcome.

Reply
Iris Smith link
9/14/2022 11:51:32 pm

Thank you for mentioning that parts made of aluminum, stainless steel, and electrolytic steel may be produced quickly and at the lowest possible cost. My factory manufactures machine bodies. I'll contact a metal fabrication service to talk about my project's timetable and price.

Reply
Jessie Holloway link
9/23/2022 01:33:38 pm

Thanks so much for talking about metal fabrication and steel cutting. My uncle is working on a project in her backyard and he needs some metal to continue his construction. He's been looking into finding a fabrication company he can work with to help him finish his project.

Reply
Iris Smith link
11/7/2022 12:45:38 am

Thank you for mentioning that using a laser to cut and etch metal typically involves optics and CNC for material or laser beam control. My dad is a factory owner. He is looking for a unique metal for a forthcoming project. I'll advise him to choose a company that specializes in custom metal fabrication and can provide metal cutting and etching services.

Reply
Daisy James link
12/21/2022 05:10:47 pm

It's good to know that metal coils and strips are cost-effective. My sister was at my house yesterday afternoon for lunch, and she talked about how she needs to hire steel fabrication services for her work next month, so she wants to make sure she hires the right company. I'll pass this information along to her so she can know more about the different types of metal manufacturing and fabrication.

Reply
Eli Richardson link
1/5/2023 09:42:43 am

It's interesting to know about different types of metal manufacturing processes and how to choose the one for you. Recently, my uncle mentioned he's interested in starting a new business next summer, but he needs to partner up with a steel manufacturer and doesn't know how to start looking for one, so I believe your guide might help him. Thanks for the insight on metal manufacturing and its production times.

Reply



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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
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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