We regularly update articles related to the manufacturing industry.
Brass is a copper-zinc alloy well known for its easy machinability and natural resistance to corrosion. Because of these qualities, it is widely used in plumbing parts, decorative pieces, and electrical fittings. On the other hand, stainless steel is an iron-based alloy with chromium. It provides high strength, excellent durability, and strong resistance to rust and chemicals.
Tensile stress is the force applied to a material divided by its cross-sectional area. It shows how much pulling force acts on each unit of area. The standard units are pounds per square inch (psi) or megapascals (MPa). When the stress reaches a material’s tensile strength, the material will break.
Fiber laser welding uses a powerful laser beam to melt and join metal parts. The laser comes from optical fibers, which keep the beam stable and energy efficient. The focused beam makes deep, narrow welds with little effect on the surrounding metal. This differs from arc welding, which often creates broad heat zones and requires more finishing work.
Laser welding copper uses a focused light beam to heat and melt a small metal area. This energy fuses the material along the weld line. Unlike traditional welding, which spreads heat over a larger area, laser welding targets energy precisely. This helps reduce distortion and allows for accurate welding, even on small or delicate parts.
Deep laser engraving is a process where a focused laser beam removes layers of material to create a mark below the surface. The laser generates heat, vaporizing the material and cutting deeper with each pass. Depending on the material and settings, the engraving can range from a few microns to several millimeters deep.
Grit blasting is a way to clean and prepare surfaces. It works by shooting abrasive particles at high speed against a workpiece. These particles remove unwanted layers and create a specific surface texture. The process uses compressed air or special blasting equipment.
Fabrication joins and shapes metal parts using cutting, bending, and welding methods. Machining removes material from a solid block using tools like mills or lathes. Fabrication works well for large or complex assemblies, while machining is better for small, precise parts. Sometimes, the two methods overlap, but each has its own strengths.
Zinc machining is the process of cutting, shaping, or finishing zinc materials into the necessary components. Engineers often use common operations like CNC milling, drilling, or turning to make precise parts. Zinc can come as sheets, castings, or billets, which are then machined for specific purposes.
Sheet metal defects are common, but they can be identified and traced to their causes. With the right approach, these problems can be fixed. By knowing what to look for, you can reduce scrap, improve part quality, and keep production running smoothly. Using proper equipment and following consistent processes makes solutions more effective.
Angular milling is a method of machining in which the cutter removes material at an angle to its axis. The cutter is set to the desired angle and moves across the workpiece, allowing it to create angled surfaces such as chamfers, grooves, slots, and V-shaped cuts.
Brass 260 is strong and resistant to corrosion. It is often used for drawn parts such as tubes and cartridges. Brass 360, on the other hand, is popular because of its excellent machinability. It works best for machined parts like valves, fittings, and hardware. The choice depends on how the part is made, the needed mechanical properties, and the project’s budget.
3D laser cutting is a method that uses a focused laser beam to cut, trim, or shape metal parts in three dimensions. Unlike flat laser cutting, which works only on sheet materials, 3D laser cutting can handle curved surfaces, tubes, formed parts, and welded assemblies. The laser beam targets a small spot, producing heat that melts or vaporizes the material. A stream of gas then blows away the molten metal, leaving a smooth and precise edge.
Straight turning is a cutting method used on a lathe. In this process, the workpiece spins around its axis while a fixed tool moves in a straight line along the same axis. The tool slowly cuts away material and reduces the diameter, forming a smooth and even cylinder across the length of the part. The focus is on keeping the surface straight and uniform, without any taper or curve.
The best way to design sheet metal parts for laser cutting is to keep shapes simple, add proper spacing between features, and match thickness to the design needs. Corners should have radii instead of sharp edges. Holes should be large enough to cut cleanly. Designs should also consider how the part will be bent or welded later.
Flatness in GD&T shows how close a surface is to being perfectly even across all points. It controls how much a surface can vary in height. Flatness sets a tolerance zone made of two parallel planes to do this. The surface of the part must stay between these two planes. This prevents bends, waves, or bumps that could cause trouble during assembly.
Galvanized steel is stronger and cheaper, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications. Aluminum is lighter, resists rust naturally, and is better for projects where weight matters. Both metals perform well in different environments, but the choice depends on specific needs such as strength, weight, and corrosion resistance.
We will contact you within 1 working day, please pay attention to the email with the suffix”@goodsheetmetal.com”
