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Metal Spinning


Established in 1964 and incorporated in 1969, Metal Craft Spinning & Stamping is a family-owned business now into the fourth generation, continuing a hard-earned legacy of quality, service and on-time delivery.

Our metal spinning department has mastered this ancient art and we’ve stayed on the leading edge of the industry with state-of-the-art CNC machines and hydraulic presses. These metal spinning tools allow us to produce thousands of quality parts and products for our hundreds of loyal customers across North America. When you’re ready to put our nearly 50 years of experience to work for you don’t hesitate to contact us.

CNC Metal Spinning and Automation Today at Metal Craft

CNC and automatic spin forming machines turn out pieces at tolerances, which exceed even the most skilled manual processes. At Metal Craft Spinning & Stamping, we’ve added automated robots to our CNC production line to enhance accuracy in large-scale orders with the quickest turnaround times.

Our state-of-the-art KUKA robot arms enable a savings of 18% in cycle times for unloading tasks while ensuring that our products have no defects. Whether short lead prototyping or large-scale production is required, our versatile custom metal spinning capabilities have a diverse spectrum of applications in industries and markets.

  • Fast & Greater Flexibility
  • Powerful & Precise
  • Ergonomic & Safe

Metal Spinning Tools & Machines

Metal spinning lathes fall into three general categories, each particularly suited for certain applications depending upon the material and dimensions of the workpieces.

  • Manual Spinning: Lathes can accommodate a wide range of blanks from 1.0″ (6.35 mm) up to 72″ (1.8 m) in diameter. The largest finished diameter is 58″ and the smallest is 1.0″. Forming tool pressure is applied by a skilled human operator.
  • Power Assisted Spinning: Used for forming strong metals such as stainless steel. Hydraulic cylinders provide the additional force required to shape the piece when human power alone is insufficient.
  • Automatic Spinning: Uses Computer Numerical Control (CNC) or Programmable Numerical Control (PNC) to automate the spinning process. This is especially effective for precision high-volume production. With PNC the first blank is formed with manual spinning while the PNC system records the forming tool movements. In “playback” mode the PNC lathe can repeat the process as many times as required, producing an exact duplicate each time; the operator need only position the blanks in the lathe and initiate the playback cycle.

Traditional Metal Spinning Process

Metal spinning in the past was restricted to soft metals and low volume production runs, but this is no longer the case. Today’s advanced metal turning techniques have opened the door to high-volume production with the most highly durable materials. Below are the three typical steps in traditional metal spinning.

1

The mandrel chuck is mounted to the headstock, and the blank is fixed in place by advancing a follower block fixed to the tailstock of the lathe.

2

A tool rest and pin combine as a support system for the lever arms, a scissor-like apparatus. In this configuration, the arms have sufficient leverage to apply adequate pressure to the blank against a roller or other forming tool.

3

Each movement of the roller across the surface of the blank is called a pass. A series of passes is usually required to form the completed part. Multiple passes are achieved by adjusting the lever arms incrementally as the blank is reduced to its final finished form.

Metal Craft’s Specialized Metal Spinning Services

At Metal Craft Spinning & Stamping, we’re equipped to take on any job, large or small, providing an economical option for high and low-volume production and prototype fabrication with a host of advantages.

Diameter of Finished Part

  • Up to 24″ in diameter (600 mm)
  • 25″ to 36″ in diameter (600 mm to 900 mm)
  • 37″ to 42″ in diameter (900 mm to 1067 mm)

Material Thickness

  • 7ga (maximum thickness)
  • 7-10ga (maximum thickness)
  • 12-14ga (maximum thickness)

Tolerances

  • +/- 0.030″ (0.76 mm)
  • +/- 0.030″ (0.76 mm)
  • +/- 0.030″ (0.76 mm)

Metal Spinning Shapes

Metal spinning in the past was restricted to soft metals and low volume production runs, but this is no longer the case. Today’s advanced metal turning techniques have opened the door to high-volume production with the most highly durable materials.

That makes custom metal spinning a very cost-effective option for rounded metal parts and products in industries across the board. At Metal Craft Spinning & Stamping, our hand and CNC lathe operations now serve industries including:

  • High integrity and reliability for structural parts
  • Simple setup and quick changeover add up to short lead times for new parts
  • Design changes with minimum expense
  • Superior tensile strength within the finished material
  • Dimensional stability with precise tolerances to 1000ths of an inch or 100ths of a millimeter
  • Refined and strengthened grain structure

More Information About Metal Spinning

  • Simple setup and quick changeover add up to short lead times for new parts
  • Design changes with minimum expense
  • Superior tensile strength within the finished material
  • Dimensional stability with precise tolerances to 1000ths of an inch or 100ths of a millimeter
  • Refined and strengthened grain structure
  • High integrity and reliability for structural parts

Metal spinning is best applied to turn out symmetrical parts with a circular cross-section, but these may later be cut for reassembly in a variety of shapes to create a vast range of new products. After multiple passes have been made the finished piece most frequently has a diameter much smaller than the blank, though the original surface area is retained.

The thickness of the material also changes as the metal approaches its final shape. The metal behaves as if it was soft and malleable as multiple axial strokes are made with a variety of roller tools. The entire lathe operation is completed in a single horizontal setup, taking the piece from blank metal disc to the required design shape, and even removing excess flash on the final step.

The metal spinning trade is one which dates back to antiquity. The skill was in use as far back as the Ancient Egyptian era when metal spinning was limited to soft metals like bronze spun by human power on primitive lathes. The hand spinning technique saw significant advances with the advent of 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. Metal spinning craftsmen were now able to turn out quality workpieces in brass, copper, aluminum, titanium and even stainless and cold-rolled steel.

Traditionally, metal spinning has been associated primarily with low volume production, chiefly due to the requirement for highly skilled human operators in a trade with a rather steep learning curve. While the metal turning process and its machine and tooling setups are quite fundamental, developing the required hand eye-coordination may involve a relatively long period of apprenticeship before the skill is mastered.

The dawning of the digital age in manufacturing has advanced metal spinning in a way that makes it cost-effective for both prototyping and volume production.

In the basic set-up for a horizontal spinning lathe the tool (mandrel chuck) is mounted to the headstock of the lathe. A follower block (tail block) is mounted to the tailstock. A circular blank is then clamped to the tool by advancing the follower. The tool rest and pin provide a support system for the lever arms, a scissor-like apparatus. The lever arms apply pressure to the blank via a roller or other forming tool. The movement of the roller across the blank is called a pass.

Metal spinning tools are grouped into three general categories, including:

  • Male: The male tool is the most common and duplicates the interior dimensions of the part.
  • Female: Exterior dimensions are duplicated by the female tool, commonly used to form returns and flanges.
  • Collapsible or Segmented: Collapsible or Segmented: A collapsible male tool is required to remove the tool when the diameter of the workpiece is reduced while forming. The collapsible tool has a removable core which secures the perimeter forming pieces while turning is in progress. The core can be removed to allow those pieces to be removed when the forming is complete. Collapsible tools require assembly and disassembly for each new piece spun.

Metal spinning tool materials can be made from a variety of materials. Most frequently, spinning tools are fabricated from these three types:

  • Steel: Steel tooling is required to form parts made from stainless steel and other strong metal alloys. Mild steel or tooling steel can be used to fabricate tooling, which can achieve a superior surface finish while still maintaining precise tolerances. Heat treating can also increase the lifecycle of the steel tool.
  • Plastic: When the tool needs more durability to maintain closer tolerances, plastic tooling is an ideal solution. Plastic tools also provide a superior finish compared to wood.
  • Wood: When exact tolerances or finish aren’t a concern, wood tooling can be a quick and inexpensive option. Wood spinning tools can be fabricated from maple or even fine grain particle board.

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Why Metal Craft?

With over 60 years of metal spinning experience, we deliver the highest standards of quality throughout our manufacturing process, prioritizing customer satisfaction.

1

Quality & Experience

With decades of metal spinning expertise, we bring precision and craftsmanship to every project, ensuring consistent, high-quality results.
2

CNC Automation

Our state-of-the-art equipment streamlines production, delivering high-precision metal components with exceptional accuracy and repeatability.
3

Hassle Free Shipping

Efficient logistics and dedicated support ensure that orders are delivered on time, with careful handling to maintain quality from our facility to yours.