FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is metal spinning?
The Metal Spinning Process
There is unlimited scope for producing components using the metal spinning or flow forming process. Products of symmetrical dimensions such as curved, conical, spherical and cylindrical shapes are made in ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Metal spinning is a manufacturing process that takes a blank sheet of metal and forms this into a cylindrical, spherical or circular shape. The blank sheet metal is rotated about an axis using a spinning lathe while a forming roller is pressed against the part while spinning continuously to form a desired shape.
The friction of the spinning lathe contacting the roller creates the necessary force in order to accurately shape the part.
This application performs a pre-programmed sequence of operations on the parts. With the equipment moving at a very rapid speed, the machine can apply the roller in several different ways, and these parts can be manufactured within ±1 mm accuracy each time.
More accurate parts can be produced with further calibration operations which are performed afterwards. These do lead to higher cost runs however.
What are the benefits to metal spinning?
As a cost-effective alternative to pressed metal production, Autoform CC can supply specialised parts for many industries in bulk, throughout South Africa and to the rest of the continent.
Key benefits of metal spinning include:
1. Objects can be built using one piece of material to produce parts without seams. Without seams, a part can withstand higher internal or external pressure exerted on it.
2. Several operations can be performed in one set-up and minor adjustments and alterations can be made fairly quickly.
3. Once tooling is manufactured, the resultant production costs are comparatively low.
4. Low material wastage and minimal scrap is generated.
5. Spinning on necks and beading as well as reverse angles and reveals are possible with metal spinning.
The wide variety of design ideas and cost-effective options make metal spinning a very viable option to consider for your next production run.
What forms can be achieved through Metal Spinning?
* Round spheres
* Venturis
* Hollow pipes with flanges
* Flanged covers
* Cones
* Dished ends / tank ends
* Funnels
* Stepped parts
* Parabolas
As a general rule, spun parts are symmetrical in shape.
What job quantities are viable for Metal Spinning?
Shorter, medium and long running jobs are viable for spinning. Some jobs actually combine spinning and other processes to obtain the desired part. Please contact us if you have any questions about quantities,
What are metal spinning tolerances?
Typically our tolerances are +- 1.0mm below a 0.3 metre diameter. Tighter tolerances can be achieved with calibration operations but this has a direct correlation to the cost of the part. Each job needs to be individually assessed to see if the given tolerances can be achieved and how this impacts the cost.
How long is your lead-time for new jobs which require new tooling?
New tooling lead-times range from five to six weeks. This is the for the development of the spinning process and for the manufacture of the tool. Simple jobs can sometimes be faster and the more complex jobs may take longer.
What are the normal production lead-times?
Normal lead-times for continuous production of existing jobs are between four and five weeks.
Do you have more questions about metal spinning?
Please contact us if you have any more questions.