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Metal Spinning

Spinning Metal: The Advantages of Using Spun Components in Heavy Machinery

Manufacturers in the heavy machinery industry are constantly seeking innovative solutions to improve equipment performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness. One such concept gaining popularity is the use of spun components produced through the metal spinning process. It transforms metal components into robust, lightweight, and customizable parts.

Let’s look at the advantages of utilizing spinning metal components, such as enhanced strength, weight reduction, durability, cost savings, and design flexibility. If you work with turbines, automotive or aerospace components, industrial machinery, construction equipment, etc., contact Glenn Metalcraft to optimize your heavy machinery projects.

The Spinning Process for Metal Components

Metal spinning, also known as metal turning, is a specialized manufacturing method that involves a sheet metal-forming technique called metal spinning. The process begins with a flat, round metal blank or disc-shaped workpiece clamped onto a lathe machine. It rotates the blank at high speeds, while a skilled operator uses either hand metal spinning tools like a spoon over a mandrel or hydraulic pressure to shape a blank.

As the lathe spins, an operator employs a mandrel or a roller to apply pressure onto the metal, which is gradually shaped and thinned to achieve the desired thickness and contour. The process creates various complex shapes, such as cones, cylinders, and hemispheres. This allows for greater design flexibility, customization, and the production of complex shapes with precise tolerances that meet the specific requirements of heavy machinery.

Spun components boast multiple features and characteristics compared to traditionally manufactured parts. For example, they can be produced with seamless construction, thus eliminating potential weak points like joints or welds. The result is increased structural integrity and improved component durability.

Metal spinning also helps redistribute the metal material to produce a higher strength-to-weight ratio, better than traditional machining or casting methods. Such components are ideal for heavy machinery where weight reduction is needed without affecting an equipment’s strength and reliability.

Advantages of Spun Components in Heavy Machinery

Spinning Process for Metal Components

The utilization of metal spun components in heavy machinery offers a wealth of advantages. Predominantly, this manufacturing method is chosen for its ability to create durable parts that withstand high loads and extreme operational conditions, enhancing structural integrity and eliminating the weak points often associated with conventional manufacturing methods.

Metal spun components boast an exceptional resistance to fatigue, along with increased reliability and lifespan, even in the harshest of machining environments. Some of the key benefits include:

  • Weight Reduction

Manufacturers can achieve thinner and lighter parts by utilizing spinning metal components in heavy machinery applications without compromising equipment performance. The consequent weight reduction leads to improved energy efficiency, reduced fuel consumption, enhanced movability, and expanded load capacity.

  • Cost-effectiveness

The cost-saving potential of utilizing spinning metal components in heavy machinery applications is substantial. For example, spun components typically require less machining than parts produced using traditional methods, leading to reductions in both production time and costs.

Moreover, the metal spinning process optimizes material usage, minimizing waste and cutting down material costs. This provides an economical solution that streamlines production processes.

  • Design Versatility and Effectiveness

Spinning metal components offers a level of design flexibility that enables the creation of complex geometries and customized designs. Producing intricate shapes with precision ensures that spun components can accommodate the diverse needs of heavy machinery applications, whether for turbines, automotive parts, industrial machinery, or construction equipment. This level of adaptability allows for tailored solutions to meet specific heavy machinery requirements, thus optimizing performance and functionality.

Common Uses of Spinning Metal Components in Heavy Machinery

Spun components demonstrate a remarkable resistance to metal fatigue. The fabrication process refines the metal’s grain structure, making these components perfectly suited for applications subject to constant stresses and rapid rotational velocities. This attribute is precisely why spun components are predominantly employed in manufacturing turbine parts, including impellers, rotors, and casings..

In addition to their resilience, spinning metal components exhibit superior heat resistance. The intrinsic properties of the chosen materials result in components that can endure high temperatures, thermal cycling, and thermal gradients. Such resilience guarantees optimal performance and reliability of turbine machinery parts. The use of spinning metal components extends across various industries:

  • Automotive and aerospace industries: These sectors utilize spun components extensively, particularly in engine parts, exhaust systems, fuel tanks, and rocket motor casings. The weight reduction and design flexibility offered by spun components enhance equipment performance, fuel efficiency, and functionality.
  • Industrial machinery: Metal spinning is advantageous in the production of various industrial machinery parts, including hydraulic cylinders, pump housings, and pressure vessels. These parts require robustness, precision, and efficient material utilization, attributes readily provided by the metal spinning process, resulting in reliable and efficient machinery.

Powerful hydraulic cylinders. The main power and driving element for construction equipment

  • Construction Equipment: Heavy machinery such as excavators, loaders, and cranes in the construction sector benefits from the strength, durability, and lightweight nature of spun components. These features contribute to machinery longevity, fuel consumption optimization, and maneuverability, effectively boosting performance on construction sites.

Work With Industry Leaders

The advantages of using spinning metal components in heavy machinery applications are compelling and numerous. The benefits extend from enhanced strength and durability to weight reduction, cost savings, and design flexibility. Collaborating with Glenn Metalcraft, a recognized industry leader in metal spinning, can help you improve the performance and efficiency of your heavy-duty machinery metal parts while achieving cost-effective solutions.

For more information on metal forming processes, various metalworking solutions, and metal spinning services, contact us today. Discover how spun components can elevate the performance of your heavy machinery projects.

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Metal Spinning

GMI Delivers Superior Metal Spinning

Founded in 1947, Glenn Metalcraft Inc. (GMI) provides high-quality expertise and services to countless businesses. GMI became one of the first U.S. companies to invest in innovative CNC spin technology to present clients with superior metal spinning services. It remains committed to a high standard of excellence and customer satisfaction.

By prioritizing the relationship between Glenn Metalcraft’s employees and customers, GMI delivers quality customer service and skilled craftsmanship to ensure it meets every customer’s needs. In addition to superior metal spinning services, GMI’s roster of metal industry experts allows the firm to recommend the best materials for new products, review engineering designs, and create cost-reduction solutions.

Your success is Glenn Metalcraft Inc.’s success. But don’t just take our word for it ‒ contact us today and learn more about what makes GMI a superior metal spinning company.

Superior Metal Spinning

Metal Industry lathe machine work

Metal spinning, also called spin forming, spinning, or metal turning is the process of rotating a tube or disc of metal at a high speed and applying localized pressure to shape the metal, which is similar to the method used in clay pottery. The process, which creates an axially symmetrical product, can be done by hand or performed by a machine.

Artisans and commercial companies use metal spinning to produce high-quality metal parts for various industries, including home goods, science and technology, and automobiles.

The metal spinning process is cost-effective and produces very little material waste. 

Any form of ductile metal can be used in metal spinning, such as aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, brass, Hastelloy, Inconel, and titanium. The diameter for metal spun through this process can range between one inch to eight feet.

How Does It Work?

Examples of spinning tools litter history. The Ancient Egyptians used manual spinning techniques to create everyday tools or build architectural masterpieces. The process shifted in the Middle Ages to metalwork and would eventually become the machine-operated precision heavy gauge metal spinning it is today.

To begin the spinning process with a CNC machine, a pre-cut sheet of metal also called a blank, is clamped between the mandrel and tailstock of the spinning machine. A primary drive rotates the mandrel and tailstock as a spinning roller performs a series of passes over the block to change its shape.

A skilled hand spinner can also manually spin and shape a piece of metal by applying a roller by hand.

Advantages of Using GMI

A worker operating a metal spinning machine

By using Glenn Metalcraft Inc., you can expect to receive the highest-quality metal spun parts at great prices. GMI’s employees are focused on forging strong relationships with customers to provide the best service possible. Some advantages to working with Glenn Metalcraft Inc. include: 

  • its efficient work center equipped with a mechanical workhorse and a CNC lathe 
  • access to GMI’s metal spinning experts 
  • cost-effective solutions for the OEM industry
  • incredible customer service from the moment you create an order

GMI’s Work Center and CNC Lathe

GMI has increased capacity by adding the 48 ROBOT – R 2000IB 165F to its workspace, which can handle large, heavy parts throughout the shop. This mechanical workhorse speeds up production time by allowing GMI employees to focus on quickly and efficiently creating your product with the company’s CNC metal spinning machine.

GMI’s CNC metal spinning machine is programmed to inspect parts for quality control to ensure every component created meets the highest standard. The machine is capable of in-cell deburring, has flexible pack-out options, and is equipped with two vacuum circuits and two pressure circuits. 

This machine can perform different processes without needing additional tools so that clients can set up with GMI under one purchase order. The CNC machine creates parts with maximum accuracy, flexibility, and efficiency in a short amount of time, ensuring GMI’s customers receive the best product as quickly as possible.

GMI is always looking for new ways to increase efficiency and introduce innovative technology to continue to meet customer’s evolving needs.

Metal Spinning Experts

Superior metal spinning on a CNC machine

A machine is only as good as the person operating it. At Glenn Metalcraft Inc., our craftsmen work with our equipment within tight tolerances to meet each customer’s specifications and standards. Our craftsmen are also skilled in robotic welding, punching, automated machining, assembly, and waterjet cutting. 

GMI’s employees have mastered the latest innovations and technology in the metal spinning industry to provide customers with the best and most reliable parts. GMI is part of the Elemet Group of metalworking companies, which provides access to GMI’s sister companies, Minnesota Industrial Coatings, and Elemet Manufacturing, to offer additional finishing and fabricating services to interested clients.

Steel-Forged Customer Relationships

Close up of handshake in the office

As a local, family-owned business, GMI understands the importance of the relationship between company and customer. You can count on communicating with staff members who see your success as their personal triumph and who will work hard to ensure they meet every one of your needs.

Because Glenn Metalcraft Inc. wants to grow in the right direction, GMI ensures every type of work accepted fits into the company’s overarching beliefs and goals. GMI knows how critical it is to choose the business that will fit the needs of your company.

GMI has locations in Fort Worth, Texas, and Princeton, Minnesota, with customers located nationwide. GMI is a business-to-business (B2B) company and is excited to work with your company.

Get Started With GMI Today

Sheet metal forming on a CNC machine

Let GMI’s expert craftsmen help you succeed with superior metal spinning services, access to industry-leading metalwork expertise, and innovative technology. GMI prioritizes consistency, excellence, and accuracy for every job.

GMI made providing innovative solutions to customers’ metalwork needs its mission. The company is constantly adding capabilities, automation, and capacity. It is committed to giving customers an environment of respect where they are allowed to grow and develop. The firm strives for success which translates into a desire to see its customers succeed, ensuring beneficial and lasting relationships.

Glenn Metalcraft not only serves as a leader in its industry because of the innovative and cutting-edge technology and equipment used by highly trained professionals. But also because GMI wants to provide the best experience and products for its customers.

Get started with Glenn Metalcraft and get an estimate today.