Guest Posts

Spin Forming Companies - Metal spinning

Author:

Joy

Jul. 21, 2025
  • 69
  • 0

Spin Forming Companies - Metal spinning

The spinning of sheet metal includes the application of pressures to shape the sheet metal; no material is removed during the process.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit our website.

How Sheet Metal Spinning is Performed

In a sheet metal spinning operation, the metal piece is quickly turned while being forced against rollers. The mandrel supporting the sheet metal causes it to take the shape of the mandrel when it is pressed by the rollers, giving the desired shape. The components created by spinning sheet metal exhibit rotational symmetry; most are hollow-shaped (like a cylinder, hemisphere, or cone). A manual lathe or CNC lathe is typically used for sheet metal spin forming. The blank, mandrel, roller, and a spinning machine tool are the important primary elements throughout the metal spinning process (i.e., manual or CNC lathe).

A sheet of metal in the shape of a disk is cut out of the stock and used as the spinning blank. A mandrel is a sturdy object that aids in giving the desired shape to the blank sheet when pressed with a roller. And the rotating chuck of the lathe is joined with this mandrel. There are several types of mandrels for varied uses, but multi-piece mandrels are employed in sheet metal spinning, especially for spinning complex pieces. A wooden mandrel or a plastic mandrel may be utilized because the spinning process does not subject the mandrel to much wear.

But the metal mandrel is favored for purposes of large-scale manufacture. The lathe's headstock and tailstock are secured together with the sheet metal blank and mandrel, and the lathe is then rotated rapidly. With a roller tool, force is provided during the rotation of these components, pressing the sheet metal and causing it to bend and take the shape of the mandrel. The final shape is achieved by repeatedly passing the roller tool over sheets with thicker or more intricate shapes. Typically, steel or brass rollers attached to a lever press a metal sheet. The spinning rollers are inexpensive and seldom worn out during spin forming.

Spin Forming Methods

There are four main spinning techniques utilized in spin forming.

  • Conventional Spinning
  • Shear Spinning
  • Cold Spinning
  • Hot Spinning

Conventional Spinning

Conventional spinning involves pushing the blank up against the mandrel, giving it its shape. Therefore, the completed component will resemble a mandrel in shape and have a diameter less than the blank. Additionally, the spinner component's thickness will remain consistent.

Shear Spinning

In shear spinning, the roller moves forward while bending the sheet blank over the mandrel and applying downward stress. As a result, the thickness of the spinned component will decrease as the sheet blank stretches. With shear spinning, the spinned part's outside diameter maintains its initial blank diameter.

Types of Spinning Processes

Depending on whether the blank or workpiece has been heated before spinning, the spinning process is divided into two categories: hot-spinning and cold-spinning.

Hot Spinning

The metal blank is heated to the forging temperature and then formed into the required shape during hot spinning. It is done by pressing metal over the forming mandrel using a blunt tool that makes contact with the rotating part's surface. This technique is typically utilized for thicker plates and sheets that cannot be deformed plastically by a pressing instrument at room temperature. In addition, backup support opposite the tool is utilized when dealing with relatively thin sheets to prevent creasing at the outer edge. The hot spinning creates components like the heads for huge tanks, refinery equipment, and pressure vessel vessels.

Cold Spinning

The difference between the cold and hot spinning processes is that the metal blank is handled at room temperature. Thin aluminum plates, sheets, and other soft metals are typically the ideal candidates for this technique. In addition, light reflectors, culinary utensils, liquid containers, radial engine cowlings, hollow domestic parts, and other items are produced via cold spinning.

Advantages of Spinning

When several different forms are required, but only a small number of each shape is needed, the spinning technique is typically utilized to manufacture huge pieces. Some advantages are listed below.

  • Comparable to Drawing Process: Spinning is similar to drawing when making cylindrical, axisymmetric pieces.
  • Economic process: Spinning requires a few basic tools, so tiny lots may afford it.
  • Suitable for Large Parts: Spinning makes larger pieces much easier to create than sketching.
  • Complicated Shapes Produced: The spinning method makes it simple to create complex shapes.
  • No Investment in Die Making: Since no unique tooling or dies are needed to be made, the spinning action can be quickly tested without spending money on new models.
  • No Finishing Operation Required: The spun parts don't need finishing processes, such as bending, trimming, etc.

Limitations of Spinning

  • More Time Required: The spinning process takes longer than the drawing procedure to make a cup.
  • More Skill Required: The tool must be manually forced on the metal blank during the spinning process, so operator expertise is more important.
  • Not Suitable for Large-Scale Production: Large-scale production is not a good fit for the spinning process because it takes more time.

Applications of Spinning

The majority of metals that come in sheets can be spun. Carbon steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless steel are the most frequently utilized materials.

  • Alloys made of molybdenum, titanium, and magnesium are often spun using a heated process.
  • It is simple to hand spin aluminum alloy to a thickness of 6 mm, low carbon steels and brass up to 4.5 mm thick, and stainless steel up to 3 mm thick.
  • Axis-symmetrical cup-shaped products are made using the spinning technique.
  • When the expense of the necessary instruments makes a drawing technique unprofitable, a small batch of products is produced using the spinning method.
  • Making deep conical pieces is especially suited for spinning.
  • The only method for creating many intricate objects and re-entrant shapes is spinning.
  • Additionally, hollow items with a neck diameter that is smaller than the midsection can be produced by spinning.

Choosing the Right Spinning Manufacturer

To make sure you have the most positive outcome when purchasing Spinning from a Spinning Manufacturer, it is important to compare at least 4 Companies using our Spinning directory. Each Spinning Manufacturer has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each Spinning business website using our proprietary website previewer to get an idea of what each business specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple Spinning companies with the same form.

Metal spinning - Wikipedia

Metalworking process

Metal spinning, also known as spin forming or spinning or metal turning most commonly, is a metalworking process by which a disc or tube of metal is rotated at high speed and formed into an axially symmetric part.[1] Spinning can be performed by hand or by a CNC lathe.

The metal spinning trade is one that dates back to antiquity and was a skill used in the Ancient Egyptian era. This is when metal spinning was limited to soft metals spun by human power on primitive lathes. The technique gave significant advances to hydro and steam power in Europe and North America in the 19th century and by the early 20th century the electric motor provided the necessary power and high-speed turning capability. With this advancement, metal spinning craftsmen were now able to spin higher quality pieces made out of brass, copper, aluminum and even stainless and cold-rolled steel.

Metal spinning does not involve removal of material, as in conventional wood or metal turning, but forming (moulding) of sheet metal over an existing shape.

For more information, please visit US Metal Spinning.

Metal spinning ranges from an artisan's specialty to the most advantageous way to form round metal parts for commercial applications. Artisans use the process to produce architectural detail, specialty lighting, decorative household goods and urns. Commercial applications include rocket nose cones, cookware, gas cylinders, brass instrument bells, and public waste receptacles. Virtually any ductile metal may be formed, from aluminum or stainless steel, to high-strength, high-temperature alloys including INX, Inconel, Grade 50 / Corten, and Hastelloy. The diameter and depth of formed parts are limited only by the size of the equipment available.

The spinning process is fairly simple. A formed block is mounted in the drive section of a lathe. A pre-sized metal disk is then clamped against the block by a pressure pad, which is attached to the tailstock. The block and workpiece are then rotated together at high speeds. A localized force is then applied to the workpiece to cause it to flow over the block. The force is usually applied via various levered tools. Simple workpieces are just removed from the block, but more complex shapes may require a multi-piece block. Extremely complex shapes can be spun over ice forms, which then melt away after spinning. Because the final diameter of the workpiece is always less than the starting diameter, the workpiece must thicken, elongate radially, or buckle circumferentially.[1]

A more involved process, known as reducing or necking, allows a spun workpiece to include reentrant geometries. If surface finish and form are not critical, then the workpiece is "spun on air"; no mandrel is used. If the finish or form are critical then an eccentrically mounted mandrel is used.

"Hot spinning" involves spinning a piece of metal on a lathe while high heat from a torch is applied to the workpiece. Once heated, the metal is then shaped as the tool on the lathe presses against the heated surface forcing it to distort as it spins. Parts can then be shaped or necked down to a smaller diameter with little force exerted, providing a seamless shoulder.

The basic hand metal spinning tool is called a spoon, though many other tools (be they commercially produced, ad hoc, or improvised) can be used to effect varied results. Spinning tools can be made of hardened steel for use with aluminum, or from solid brass for spinning stainless steel or mild steel.

Some metal spinning tools are allowed to spin on bearings during the forming process. This reduces friction and heating of the tool, extending tool life and improving surface finish. Rotating tools may also be coated with a thin film of ceramic to prolong tool life. Rotating tools are commonly used during CNC metal spinning operations.

Commercially, rollers mounted on the end of levers are generally used to form the material down to the mandrel in both hand spinning and CNC metal spinning. Rollers vary in diameter and thickness depending the intended use. The wider the roller the smoother the surface of the spinning; the thinner rollers can be used to form smaller radii.

Cutting of the metal is done by hand held cutters, often foot long hollow bars with tool steel shaped/sharpened files attached. In CNC applications, carbide or tool steel cut-off tools are used.

The mandrel does not incur excessive forces, as found in other metalworking processes, so it can be made from wood, plastic, or ice. For hard materials or high volume use, the mandrel is usually made of metal.[1]

Several operations can be performed in one set-up. Work pieces may have re-entrant profiles and the profile in relation to the center line virtually unrestricted.

Forming parameters and part geometry can be altered quickly, at less cost than other metal forming techniques. Tooling and production costs are also comparatively low. Spin forming, often done by hand, is easily automated and an effective production method for prototypes as well as high quantity production runs.[1]

Other methods of forming round metal parts include hydroforming, stamping, forging and casting. These other methods generally have a higher fixed cost, but a lower variable cost than metal spinning. As machinery for commercial applications has improved, parts are being spun with thicker materials in excess of 1in (25mm) thick steel. Conventional spinning also wastes a considerably smaller amount of material than other methods.

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. For example: scuba tanks and CO2 cartridges.

One disadvantage of metal spinning is that if a crack forms or the object is dented, it must be scrapped. Repairing the object is not cost-effective.

  • Curling (metalworking)
  • Shear spinning

https://www.metalcraftspinning.com/metal-spinning/

http://www.dfe.com.tw

Comments

0/2000

Get in Touch