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metal spinning

Metal Spinning

Bowl & Vessel Shapes

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Guide

WHAT IS METAL SPINNING?

Metal spinning, also known as spin forming, is a metalworking process where a disc of metal is rotated at high speeds and formed into an axially-symmetric part using spin tools. Picture the art of pottery sculpting, but envision it in a horizontal plane, and instead of molding clay, we’re shaping metal! Metal spinning is used in various industries to produce a wide range of products—anything from architectural pieces, speciality lighting, and decorative household goods to cookware, gas cylinders, and much more. For cones and domes, specifically, the roller tool exerts force onto the sheet metal while spinning, pushing the metal onto the mandrel and creating a seamless, symmetrical, and smooth product. This manufacturing process is particularly effective for creating rounded or conical shapes.

What Raw Materials Can Be Used?

Typically, the most common types of metals that are being spun in our shop are aluminum, stainless steel, and mild steel. Without getting into the deep specifics, different metals have different properties, so the preferred metal for cones and domes depends on the application of the part. Mild steel tends to be more cost-effective, but it is prone to rust under certain weather conditions. Aluminum won’t rust, but it is a much softer metal when compared with stainless steel.

WHAT PRODUCTS CAN BE MADE?

There are many examples of products that are made from bowl and vessel-shaped metal spinning. Some of which many of us see and walk past every day, such as bowls, bowl covers, lighting fixtures, goblets, fire pit bowls and dome shades. Here are some more examples:

What Sizes Can Be Achieved?

This group about bowl and vessel shapes have almost identical spinning capabilities as the first group about domes. Of course, the shapes and geometries are slightly different between domes and bowls, but the biggest OD being spun and material thickness limitations are the same as the dome-shaped sections. Our maximum blank diameter for spinning is still 102”.

Instead of repeating the capabilities, here are some differences:

Capabilities
  • As the part gets larger in size, the tolerances will often increase.
    • The industry’s general tolerances will start off around ±0.030”, but as the part gets larger in size, that tolerance may change to a ±0.060” or even ±0.125”.
    • Those are just some common tolerances, but it depends completely on the part shape/geometry, customer use, feasibility, etc.
  • Most bowls will have a center hole of anywhere between 0.25” to 0.75” for the spin tool, but oftentimes, it will be plug-welded and grinded flush to have a smooth bowl-like finish.
  • On some parts, bowls and vessel shapes may be able to be spun without a center hole.
Thickness

Here’s a chart of KRYTON’s metal spinning material thickness capability:

Mild Steel

⅜” (0.375”)

Stainless Steel

3/16” (0.1875”) or 7 Gauge

Aluminum

½” (0.5”) – Must Be O-Tempered

 

 

metal parts on blueprints

Kryton Metals

Quality Control

Our product quality control process is meticulous and thorough, ensuring the highest standard at every stage of production. Every new part undergoes a quality assurance inspection before every operation.

For instance, after a flat blank is laser cut, it is immediately checked by our QC team. The same checks are applied after metal spinning the flat blank, trimming, 3D laser cutting, and any other processes that may be applied. This diligent process guarantees that every part meets the customer’s and our exacting standards before it leaves our facility.

Finally, before a part is shipped to the customer, it undergoes one last comprehensive check, ensuring that what reaches our customer is nothing short of perfection.

Guide

How Does Pricing Work?

Generally, the pricing process stays the same as it would for the first and second group, but in this case, we will not mention rolling, as bowls and vessel shapes are spun. There are many variables that go into pricing, as mentioned in the first group. The most common factors in pricing are found within material cost, size, complexity, quantity, tolerances, and finishing processes/operations.

Let’s take our stainless steel funnel for example.

The estimators will conclude that the best approach to making a funnel will be to cut a flat blank on our laser cutter, spin the metal into shape, and trim it. For factors that most influence the cost, the estimators will look at using

stainless steel instead of mild steel for better environmental protection, using the appropriate thickness, and reducing operations wherever possible to reduce the quoted price for the customer.

Wrapping Up

Let’s shape the future together!

If you’re interested in learning more about our services, wanting a deeper understanding of our capabilities, or simply obtaining a quote for your project, don’t hesitate to contact our KRYTON team. We’re always ready to turn your ideas into reality with our state-of-the-art metal spinning techniques.