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metal spinning

Metal Spinning

Unique & Geometric 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 unique and geometric shapes metal spinning. Some of which many of us see and walk past every day, like garbage lids and architectural lighting fixtures. Here are some more examples:

What Sizes Can Be Achieved?

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

Instead of repeating the capabilities, here are some differences:

Lids/Garbage

Garbage lids usually follow the manufacturing process of laser cutting a flat blank, metal spinning, and then getting features cut out on our 5-axis laser cutter.

Hoppers/Funnels

The outside diameter of the hoppers and funnels can reach impressive sizes, typically ranging up to 50”, depending on the specific part.

The inside diameter of the hoppers/funnels we can metal spin is highly versatile, accommodating sizes as small as an inch.

Lampshades/Lighting Fixtures

Most lampshades 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, unique 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?

There really isn’t a different process for pricing unique and geometric shapes when compared to the other four groups, but it may be worthwhile to note that the more complex that a shape is, the more in price it will typically be.

Shapes that are more complex will generally require multiple spin tools or even multiple spins. The other factors include size, material, and other 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.