Category Archive: Steel

6 Tips For Improving Sheet Metal Design

Following manufacturing design steps is critical for a thin steel sheet metal project to ensure success without issues cropping up. Sheet metal is a $30 billion industry, so it’s important that the sheet metal part is ready for manufacturing to keep project costs down. Whether you’re working with 17-7 stainless, 302 stainless, 304 stainless, or stainless steel, here are a few tips for improving sheet metal design:

Determine Hole Sizes

If you design the wrong hole size, it could break your punch equipment. Determining the right hole size for the punch being used will help the thin steel sheet make its way through the manufacturing process. The hole’s diameter should be equal or greater than the sheet metal’s thickness.

Inside Radius

Strain inside the piece can increase as the bend radius reduces size. If you exceed a materials fatigue point, cracks will start to form. Use the 1x Thickness=Inside Radius Rule when working with thin sheet metal.

Simplify Folds

If you can simplify your design, it will be less expensive for production in the long run. Simple angled bends can help you achieve this goal. These bends feature a radius that is the same or larger than the sheet’s thickness. Keep in mind that designing small bends for large and thick parts may be inaccurate and costly. Consider how you can create the simplest design possible for your part that will also be cost-effective and easy to produce.

Tooling

The tooling you use will limit how that part is shaped, as well. Conventional brake tooling creates precision straight line bends for any length of parts made from fabricated sheet metal. Machined and precision sheet metal parts have very different terms in how they can be manufactured and what tolerances they will allow.

Limit Tight Tolerance

Having too many tolerance callouts on a part can be unnecessary and expensive. There are only a few surfaces to a part that are critical for its ability to function. These include distances, radii, and hole diameters. Limiting tight tolerance will help you create a more budget-friendly design.

Uniform Bend Maintenance

Maintaining proper uniform bends can increase the affordability of the part. Bends that are in the same place on a part should be designed in the same direction to avoid the occurrence of part reorientation. This helps create more cost-effective parts that are also easier to produce.

By following these tips, manufacturing designers can make sure a thin steel sheet is formed and produced accurately. This can help reduce project costs, improve lead times, and provide better quality to customers. Producing quality parts takes careful consideration every step of the way if you want to be successful.

7 Advantages of Manufacturing with Sheet Metal

Are you, or someone you know, involved in manufacturing? Or, are you perhaps thinking about investing in the manufacturing industry? If so, you may want to take a close look at the lucrative business of sheet metal. One key question to think about before making a decision might be: “Where are the best metal sales near me?” And once you have this answer, you will be ready to objectively assess the advantages of working in the sheet metal business. There are many benefits, and a few of them are listed here for you to consider.

Seven Advantages of Sheet Metal Fabrication

1. 1. 1. Employment: In the U.S. alone, there were 138,900 sheet metals workers recorded in the year 2016. This is a significant amount of workers who are steadily employed, which helps the economy.
      2. Easy to Transport: In general, thin sheet metal is low in weight and gauge. This makes it very easy to transport and easy to work with and install, as well.
      3. Economical: Sheet metal is light, high-quality, and efficient. It is also very affordable, which means customers can purchase it because of its low cost, answering the question of: “Where are the best metal sales near me?”
      4. Variety: There are several different types of sheet metal, such as thin aluminum strips, thin sheet metal, and stainless steel. It is even possible to find copper sheet metal for sale, as well as brass and copper sheets. With all these varieties of sheet metals, it means that the materials are available in abundance. This, of course, is beneficial for business, since an abundance of materials usually keeps prices down, while a scarcity of materials could lead to increased demand and higher prices.
      5. Benefits the Economy: Overall, the sheet metal industry currently adds revenue totaling about $30 billion to the U.S. annually.
      6. Accuracy: Sheet metal projects can be completed using modern technology. The sheet metal works very well with a punch press, for example. And measurements are extremely accurate, also, because of the use of computerized technology.
      7. Durability: Sheet metal can be formed into many shapes. It creates a very durable surface. This makes it ideal for use in many different climates and many different weather conditions, including extreme hot and cold temperatures.

So the next time you are thinking about manufacturing and how it affects business in general, remember to explore the advantages of sheet metal fabrication. Finding the answer to the question “Where are the best metal sales near me?” will be of great benefit to getting involved in the metal fabrication industry.

The Importance of Finding the Right Supplier for Your Thin Metal Strips

With industries using more and more metal each day, it becomes even more critical to find the right supplier for thin metal strips and other metals that you use to complete important jobs. The metal fabrication industry is projected to add 12,000 jobs to the sector in this decade alone, according to data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you or your company fall into this figure, then it is wise to prioritize finding a metal supplier that can meet your needs and keep up with your demands.

Industry experience is vital when it comes to selecting a supplier. Every detail matters when it comes to thin metal strips and other combined metals, so you can afford to choose a supplier that has not demonstrated their worth and value in your particular industry. Checking for suppliers that are compliant and certified is a good way to filter out legitimate prospects from those that aren’t worth your time.

Assessing your needs before you enter into any type of supplier contract can also give you a better sense of your needs. When you align your focus to your company’s goal, it will be much easier to know whether or not your supplier works with a similar mission in place. For instance, finding a supplier that specializes in recycled metals will be absolutely necessary if you work within a company that wants to show its dedication to environmental sustainability. Of course, the quality of materials should never be overlooked, but a keen sense of purpose and customer service should not have to be sacrificed in order to get the metals you need.

Finding the right supplier for your thin metal strips, copper brass, and other types of combined metals is the first step toward operating a business that offers the highest quality materials. If you’re in need of a trusted manufacturer for your facility, then get in touch with us today. At Thin Metal Sales we have the experience and know-how to help you find the brass and copper and stainless steel products you need at an affordable rate.

3 Most Considered Characteristics Of Metals In The Aerospace And Medical Industries

If you were to say that the discovery of metal is the greatest thing that has ever happened to man, then chances are, you will be right. From transport, communication, health and even in your home or workplace, different metals define your day to day activities.

The world offers you an endless supply of metals which appear in their natural forms such as iron, copper, and silver. However, there is another category of metals known as combined metals. Combined metals play a significant role in the manufacturing of sophisticated items that significantly help humans realize a whole new world of technological advancements.

What are combined metals? These are alloys of two or more naturally occurring metals.

Alloying is done to improve the quality or achieve specific attributes of the metals. These qualities include electrical conductivity, heat resistance, strength, resistance from corrosion by other elements, durability, and other essential attributes. An excellent example of such metals is stainless steel which has several subtypes/specifications such as the ams5510, which is heat and corrosion-resistant.

A research conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicted that the metal fabrication industry will grow by 9% in a span of 10 years — from 2016 to 2026. The ever-growing technological advancements and research motivate this growth in areas such as the aerospace industry and the medical fields.

You might be asking yourself, what do these metals have to do with the aerospace industry? Well, these are some of the reasons combined metals are used in the aerospace industry.

Heat resistance

Jet and rocket engines produce a lot of heat. Jet engines produce up to 900 degrees Celsius (1650 F) while rocket engines produce heat up to 3200 degrees Celsius (5800 F). Exposure to these levels of heat for a long time can quickly melt most metals.

It is also important to note that at high speeds, aerodynamic friction can generate a lot of heat that can easily lead to melting of metals such as aluminum. Just like aluminum, titanium is lightweight but has a high heat resistance, which makes it the metal of choice when building crafts that are associated with high speeds.

Resistance to corrosion

Corrosion is a chemical process where air reacts with a metal to form the metal’s oxide. This can translate into expensive maintenance costs and a wide range of risks, including fatal accidents. Brass and copper are some of the most commonly used metals to provide corrosion resistance.

In the medical industry, stainless steel is widely used in the manufacture of medical and surgical equipment due to its high resistance to corrosion. This metal is an alloy of several materials that includes molybdenum, nickel, chromium, iron, manganese, and silicon.

Despite offering resistance to corrosion, stainless steel is one of the most durable materials that exist today which makes it ideal in the production of a vast number of medical equipment used in all medical fields. One such stainless steel specification is the ASTM A666.

Electrical conductivity

When you read or hear about electrical conductivity, copper automatically comes to your mind. Copper is a naturally occurring metal and one of the most used metals on the planet. From thin metal strips, copper can be converted into wires or plates to be used in motherboards for equipment used in the medical and aerospace industries.

As mentioned earlier, copper is a naturally occurring element/metal that can be combined with other metals to form alloys such as brass. It can also be recycled for reuse in the manufacturing of communication and electrical equipment.

It is clear that combined metals have been instrumental in the advancement of communication, medical, and aerospace equipment. However, the effectiveness of these metals is as good as the people doing metal fabrication work. Such jobs should be left in the hands of experienced metal fabricators who understand the wide range of products coming from metal manufacturers.

5 Types of Sheet Metal Finishes

Many types of metal are pliable and insulate great. These features make different types of metal extremely useful. But in addition to brass and copper, what is the most versatile of the primary metals? It would have to be the metal made from thin aluminum strips—sheet metal. Here is a look at the thin metal strips of stainless steel sheet metal, a few of the different finishes used on it, and some of the products — or applications — that are made from the different sheet metal varieties.

1. Applications of Number One Finish: When stainless steel is heated and then rolled, this creates number one finish. Next step of the process is a heat treatment to make sure that the thin metal strips of stainless steel look uniform and meets all requirements. This type of stainless steel typically has an inconsistent appearance. It is used in items such as furnace linings conveyors, oven liners, kiln liners, and parts for oil burners.
2. Applications of Number 2B Finish: Again, stainless steel is rolled, but this time it is cold. This cold rolling process produces a shinier and more reflective finish compared to the completed rolls. This type of stainless steel is used for wheel covers, flatware, laundry, and dry cleaning fixtures, bakeware, and plumbing fixtures, to name a few.
3. Applications of Number 2D Finish: The Number 2D finish goes on sheet metal rolls that have been thinned down by cold rolling. The final step in the process is pickling. The applications for this type of stainless steel include furnace parts, rail car parts, roofing, and chemical equipment.
4. Applications of Number 3 Finish: Stainless steel sheet metal with a Number 3 finish sets itself apart because it has a pattern pressed into a surface that gives it a look of scratching and abrasion. Additionally, it is fairly bright, offering a modest reflection. The roughness of the Number 3 finish is great for use in kitchen equipment, brewery equipment, and items used in food processing.
5. Applications of Number 4 Finish: Picking up where the Number 3 finish left off, the patterning of the Number 4 finish takes it to an even higher level — much brighter and more reflective. For applications with a Number 4 finish, think of luggage carousels, escalator trim, doors on elevators, and hospital surfaces and equipment.

It’s also interesting to note that brass and copper, as well as stainless steel, can be used in various applications. Just imagine a kitchen that is finished with stainless steel; then imagine one that is finished with brass and copper. The two kitchens would have completely different personalities. Working with copper and brass, and even stainless steel sheet-metal can produce a wonderful variety of looks.

And there is an added benefit: metal is recyclable! Right now all around the world, about 40% of all the steel that is produced is created from recycled metal. This is a win for aesthetics and the environment!

4 Great Benefits of Using Recycled Steel

Recycled Steel

Combined metals of Chicago deals with all sorts of metal including brass, copper, stainless steel, thin aluminum strips, and so much more. These metals are important for aerospace engineering and other manufactured metal parts across various industries. Today we wanted to discuss the benefits of going with recycled steel. In fact, nearly 70% of the steel in the U.S. is recycled steel, which is a pretty big testimony to how great recycled steel actually is.

Sometimes there is a misconception that recycled goods are not as high quality, or don’t have as much durability as their “newer” counterparts. In the case of steel, that just isn’t true. Here are a few advantages of recycled steel:

Using Recycled Steel is Environmentally Responsible: Keeping the planet a little greener and healthier is important. Using recycled steel on your next project is a great way to help reduce your carbon footprint and go green. Just how eco-friendly is recycled steel? Using one ton of recycled steel will save a half a ton of coal and one and a half tons of iron. Additionally, it saves thousands of gallons of water! This is absolutely one of the best ways to better maintain the world we live in.

Quality Retention After Recycling: Combined metals of Chicago are rigorously tested to ensure only the top quality goods are utilized throughout industries. This is especially true with steel. Steel, even when recycled, doesn’t lose any of its strength because it retains its natural qualities. It doesn’t matter if the steel is being used for construction or for ornamentation, its durability and appearance is always preserved.

Super Easy to Recycle: Steel is very easy to recycle and doesn’t need to be sorted by size or color. Additionally, steel can be recycled many times over, meaning that it’s easy to re-recycle your own recycled steel when the need arises.

Massive Waste Reduction: Waste reduction is a big deal. Rather than let scrap metal take up space in a junkyard, have it recycled. This will put all that metal to good use. No need to unnecessarily clutter landfills with scrap metal when it is so easy to recycle.

If you want to learn more about combined metals of Chicago, give Thin Metal Sales a call today!