Stainless steel as a material is one of the finest for manufacturing precision parts. The material is durable and flexible enough to get moulded into any desirable shape. It is corrosion-resistant, making it a favourite for marine, aerospace and automotive industries. People use custom stainless steel parts in the food and beverage industry because they are easier to clean.
The manufacturing of stainless steel parts is evolving, and with the help of technology, we’ve come a long way to get desired CNC machined parts in no time. Are you fascinated by what stainless steel can achieve in the manufacturing sector? Find out about the manufacturing process of parts.
Process of getting desired custom stainless steel parts
Stainless steel has to go through various steps for the desired product. When making the stainless steel parts the manufacturer has to keep the grade in mind. They need to choose the steel grade according to the industry. Here are the three most common grades:
- Stainless Steel Grade 302
- Stainless Steel Grade 303
- Stainless Steel Grade 430F
Once you have decided on the steel grade and gathered the raw materials, the rest of the manufacturing process can begin. Here are the steps:
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#1. Melting the raw materials
In a furnace, typically an electric one, stainless steel components heat to their melting point, a process that usually takes 8 to 12 hours. Once the metal melts, the production process forms common shapes such as slabs, blooms, billets, and rods.
#2. Removal of excess carbon
People place the molten material in the VOD or AOD system to remove any excess carbon present in stainless steel. Depending on how much carbon you want to remove will affect the quality of the final product. It can impact the tensile strength and hardness of the machined part. It can result in a standard or low-carbon variant of the alloy.
#3. Tuning
The next step is to fine-tune the quality of the final product. For this, the manufacturers need to stir, helping to distribute and remove the specific components from the mixture. It ensures that the stainless steel is of uniform quality. And will meet the specifications set by the manufacturer.
#4. Forming the metal
The semi-finished steel shapes now undergo a series of forming operations. For example, stainless steel is hot-rolled, and the blooms and bars mentioned in point 1 get converted to bar and wire. The slabs get formed into plates, strips or sheets. It is easier to turn semi-finished shapes into bars as they are the most versatile stainless steel form. It is all-around because it comes in all grades and sizes. You have plenty of options to choose from for different applications.
#5. Heat treatment
The heat treatment is the following procedure. It get heated during annealing. Then it’s cooled down in a controlled environment. The reason for this heat treatment is it relieves the pent-up stress that is present in the stainless steel. It softens the material to make it suitable for a variety of applications. The operator has to be careful while carrying out the annealing process about the control conditions as even minute changes in the pressure, temperature, duration or cooling rate result in a faulty product.
#6. Descaling
On the surface, many scales form. It occurs as a result of the heat treatment process. People can use descaling to remove these scales. One of the popular methods is pickling to carry out the descaling process.
#7. Cutting and shaping
People cut and shape it to manufacture the ideal product for the application. The specific operations used to cut the stainless steel will vary depending on the size and the shape of the bloom and the final product. The manufacturer may cut the steel mechanically using large metal shears if they produce thick metal plates. If you want to cut thin metal sheets you can use CNC punch or laser cutting machines. MDA’s manufacturing team manufactures custom metal cutouts from metal sheet plates by using up-to-date machining processes.
#8. Finishing
The manufacturer might apply different surface finishes according to the requirements of the final product. We apply finishing to enhance the product’s appearance, smooth the part, and ensure it’s easier to clean, which is crucial in most industries.
Which Tips You Should Know Stainless Steel Manufacturing?
Stainless steel machining is a complex process due to certain complications. Here are some ways to avoid them:
- People apply lubricants and coolants to the tools.
- People use large equipment to help dissipate heat.
- People require consistent feeds and light cuts.
- People use chip breakers to deflect debris.
- Choosing a machine that is vibration-free.
- Keep the cutting edges sharp at all times.
| Read more: Why Steel Is Ideal For Custom CNC Machined Parts |
Choose Machining Design Associated for all your custom steel parts requirements
Metal contract manufacturing partners must be dependable, competent, and knowledgeable to enable manufacturers and OEM organizations to produce steel and metal finished products effectively and to the highest standards feasible. Choose MDA if you need a precise metal production firm to fulfill your specific business needs.
For over the years, MDA has been assisting companies in producing parts more efficiently using cutting-edge production and manufacturing procedures. From initial design and engineering support through laser cutting, 3D machining, and steel and metal welding procedures. Our contract metal production services cover it all.
For more information on contracting for custom metal manufacturing, contact us today. Call us at tel:1(888)440-4435 or request a quote online.