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Author Archives: Aranda Tooling

  1. Welding Techniques – What to Use for Your Industry

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    Generally speaking, welding utilizes heat and pressure to fuse multiple metal components together into one. However, several welding methods are available for sheet metal operations, and each has its optimal uses. Deciding which is right for your business will depend on your application and intended material. Learn more about the many welding techniques, the metals that are compatible with these processes, and common welding applications.

    Types of Welding Processes

    Manufacturers can choose from several welding techniques. based on the required welds and an application’s unique needs.

    Stick/Arc Welding

    Employing simple, affordable equipment, this welding process involves melting a consumable electrode to form a weld. The needed heat comes from an electrical arc that develops between the metal material and the electrode.

    Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding

    MIG welding entails feeding a continuous wire through a shielding gas and welding gun, with an arc forming between the metal material and the wire. The benefits of MIG welding include the process’ capability to prevent contamination in the weld pool, generate smooth and consistent welds, and achieve speeds faster than that of other welding techniques.

    Resistance Welding

    This process uses a combination of electricity and pressure to generate heat that melts the metal to join components together. Metal’s resistance to the electrical current flow produces the heat necessary for this process. Like MIG welding, resistance welding offers a fast welding speed with smooth, clean welds.

    Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

    This alternative to MIG welding melts metal to produce a weld using a shielding gas, metal wire electrode, and constant voltage as the source of power. It’s fast like MIG welding, creates clean welds, and works in many of the same applications.

    Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

    GTAW uses a non-consumable electrode consisting of tungsten along with a shielding gas to form a weld, with the arc developing between the electrode and metal workpiece. This process is ideal for applications requiring precision welding and clean welds.

    Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

    While SMAW shares similarities with stick welding, it uses an electrode coated with flux. This enables a protective shield to form around a weld pool. Equipment for SMAW, too, is simple and cost-effective.

    Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

    This process is also similar to stick welding, only it uses an electrode comprising a flux-filled tubular wire. The result is a rapid, efficient welding process that doesn’t require a separate flux.

    Types of Metals for Welding

    Different welding processes are compatible with different metals. Common options include:

    • Steel. Welding processes often use steel because of its supreme strength. This versatile metal is available in many types and grades from tool or mild steel to high-strength varieties.
    • Stainless steel. An alloy with chromium, this metal provides high rust and corrosion resistance. These properties make it popular in healthcare and food applications.
    • Cast iron. This carbon-rich iron is suitable for creating many types of cast parts from pipes to engine blocks.
    • Brass and copper. Both of these non-ferrous, conductive metals are good choices for the plumbing and electrical industries.
    • Aluminum. For a corrosion-resistant metal with an optimal strength-to-weight ratio, industries like construction, automotive, and aerospace use lightweight aluminum.
    • Titanium. Titanium offers the same benefits as aluminum, with the addition of its resistance to high temperatures. These qualities lend it to both healthcare and aerospace applications.
    • Magnesium alloy. Like aluminum and titanium, magnesium alloy is lightweight yet strong and corrosion-resistant, which is subsequently why it’s optimal for automotive and aerospace applications.

    Common Welding Applications

    Typical applications for the different welding techniques include:

    • Stick/arc welding. This welding process helps join thicker metals and works well for windy, outdoor environments.
    • MIG welding. Applications requiring welds for thin metal sheets often use MIG welding to achieve optimal results and clean, high-quality welds.
    • Resistance welding. Another welding process compatible with thin sheet metal, resistance welding integrates well with automation for high-volume production.
    • GMAW. This is another welding process like MIG and resistance welding that fuses components consisting of thin metal sheets for a high-quality and consistent weld.
    • GTAW. This technique is an ideal option for welding thin pieces of dissimilar metals.
    • SMAW. This welding process works for joining thick metals and is compatible with outdoor applications and windy conditions.
    • FCAW. FCAW is an optimal choice to achieve an efficient weld between thick metals.

    Welding & Assembly Services From Aranda Tooling

    For reliable welding services, trust Aranda Tooling, Inc. Our team provides comprehensive welding capabilities with an emphasis on automation and quality. We specialize in robotic welding services for optimized efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and precise, consistent welds.

    For superior quality control and assurance in our welding services and products, Aranda Tooling also offers quality testing and non-destructive, visual inspections, as well as assistance in implementing quality control systems. As a result, our clients can rest assured that they will receive top-quality products that meet their exacting standards.

    Our broad range of services also includes metal fabrication and stamping, laser cutting, assembly, and design and manufacturing for sheet metal dies. To learn more about our capabilities, contact us today.

  2. What Is Metal Fabrication & What Is the Scope of the Industry?

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    Metal fabrication is the process of making metal materials into various end products. The process can include bending, cutting, and assembling raw metal stock to form parts for electric appliances, chassis, automotive components, and more.

    These wide-ranging applications mean that metal fabrication is a broad-reaching, steadily growing industry. Learn more about specific metal fabrication processes, the scope of the metal fabrication industry, and trends in this field.

    How Is Metal Fabrication Performed?

    Metal fabrication involves processing sheet metals into specific shapes and sizes to form an end product. Common metal fabrication processes include the following techniques:

    • Cutting: Cutting is usually the first step in the sheet metal fabrication process and involves cutting sheet metals into smaller pieces using equipment such as lasers, saws, water jets, and plasma for precise cuts.
    • Machining: Machining is a manufacturing process that removes materials from a stock workpiece to create an end product. Most fabrication companies prefer computer numerical control (CNC) over manual machining technologies since CNC machining offers faster processing and more precise output.
    • Welding: Welding is the process of joining two or more metal pieces using pressure and heat.
    • Punching: This process uses a die and a punch to create holes in specific locations of a metal workpiece.
    • Drilling: Like punching, drilling also creates precise holes in metal workpieces, but it does so using a drill bit.
    • Forging: Forging is a common metal fabrication process that involves forcefully compressing metal into a specific shape.
    • Stamping: Stamping uses one or more punch presses to fabricate metal into various shapes and sizes.
    • Drawing: Drawing is the process of using force to pull metal into a tapered die.
    • Forming: Forming is any process that reshapes a metal workpiece using mechanical deformation rather than cutting away or adding material to the metal.
    • Turning: In metal turning, a lathe rotates and moves a workpiece against a stationary cutting tool, which removes material.

    Metal Fabrication Industry – Market Analysis and Size

    A recent study of the metal fabrication industry suggests it is expected to rise from $20 billion in 2021 to nearly $29.5 billion by 2029. This increase is due to increased demand for metal products in various industries and new technologies—like additive manufacturing—that require mass metal fabricated products. Key industries driving the growth of metal fabrication include:

    • Consumer goods
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Construction

    Industry Outlook and Opportunities

    The metal fabrication industry has a positive outlook and promising growth potential. Below are some of the key opportunities and trends to watch out for in the industry.

    Need for Greater Efficiency

    Because critical industries around the world are increasingly demanding high volumes of metal fabricated parts, there will be a need for greater efficiency. Using advanced equipment and software will help fabricators reduce labor costs and optimize production efficiency.

    Automated Fabrication

    Due to the need for higher efficiency, automated fabrication processes are expected to drive the growth of this industry. Robotics and other automated technologies like IoT devices will help companies minimize human error and free up employees for more specialized tasks.

    Demand for Metal Machining

    As the industry demands higher volumes and levels of precision from fabricated parts, there is an increased demand for companies like Aranda Tooling who specialize in multiple fabrication processes.

    Need for Digital Pre-Programmed Production Techniques

    Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs are among the most crucial systems on any metal fabrication tools list. There is an increasing need for these systems as they facilitate the efficient design and manufacturing of precise metal products and components.

    The Future of Metal Fabrication

    Analysis of the growth of metal fabrication indicates there will also be significant growth in these industries:

    • Aerospace: The aerospace industry will continue to propel the growth of the metal fabrication industry, as more metal aircraft and spacecraft components are needed for future projects.
    • Construction: As commercial and residential construction projects continue to grow around the world, metal fabrication will be crucial to producing the necessary metal structures and other components.
    • Energy: Energy industries require fabricated metal components to aid in energy distribution and production.
    • Defense: The defense industry will drive the growth of the metal fabrication industry through increased demand for metal products in defense applications.
    • Automotive: Automotive manufacturing will continue being a key driver of metal fabrication, as automobiles require a variety of fabricated metal parts.

    Metal Fabrication and Engineering From Aranda Tooling

    The metal fabrication industry will continue to grow and impact other industries in the coming years. At Aranda Tooling, Inc., we provide high-quality metal fabrication and engineering to a variety of critical industries around the world. Our team of approximately 300 skilled professionals produces more than a million parts per week. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer, Aranda Tooling ensures every customer receives the highest quality products and customer service.

    Contact us today to get started on your metal fabrication project.

  3. What is EV Stamping?

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    Metal stamping for electric vehicles (EVs) is a crucial element of the automotive industry. Metal stamping is an efficient machining process that uses stamping presses and dies to form sheet metal into various shapes.

    Metal Stamping / Fabrication Services for EV Manufacturers

    It is a common process in the automotive industry because it is highly efficient in manufacturing complex components that meet tight specifications and tolerances with high levels of repeatability. Metal stamping is especially beneficial for EV components due to its ability to produce complex, lightweight parts that aid in fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions. Some of the most appealing benefits of EV stamping include material efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

    Advantages of Using EV Stamping

    EV stamping advantages include:

    • Automation: Metal stamping is a process that can be easily automated. Automation in the EV industry reduces labor costs and the risks of injuries to personnel. With automation, you can produce large component volumes without spending a lot of investment in labor. Automation increases precision production by cutting out human error.
    • Material Efficiency: EV stamping uses sheet metal for component manufacturing. Working with sheet metal reduces waste since it can utilize the majority of the raw material to create the component.
    • Cost-Effectiveness: Once the die has been designed and formed, there is no additional overhead and the dies are simple and affordable to maintain. This makes it possible to manufacture high volumes of parts in different materials while maintaining minimal costs.

    EV Stamping Process

    There are several different stamping processes, but the general process involves placing the raw material between the two die sections and applying pressure to form the material into the intended shape for the final product. Some of the most popular stamping methods include:

    • Progressive die-stamping: In this metal forming process, sheet metal is passed through a series of stations to progressively shape the material into the final component.
    • Compound dies: This stamping process conducts multiple actions in a single stroke. It is an affordable, highly repeatable way to produce simple components fast.
    • Transfer dies: Components are taken via the tooling process as individual units. The components are disconnected from the metal strip in the initial operation to allow for the creation of more intricate design elements.

    The machinery involved in EV stamping includes:

    • Straight side presses
    • Tooling
    • A well-equipped tooling department

    EV Stamping Industry Applications

    Metal stamping is in the EV industry to consistently manufacture accurate and dependable precision components used in the design, manufacture, and operation of electric vehicles. EV stamping capabilities are applicable in producing components of virtually any size, including:

    • EV battery components
    • EV charging components
    • Battery trays
    • A-Frames
    • Floor panels
    • Brackets
    • Transmission components
    • BIW components
    • Seating components
    • Brake components
    • Heat shields

    EV stamping uses various materials in its applications, from aluminum to carbon steel and stainless steel.

    Metal stamping processes can also be applied to components in other industries, including:

    • Healthcare
    • Food and beverage
    • Appliances
    • Electronics
    • Automotive

    EV Stamping Vs. Other Stamping Methods

    At Aranda Tooling, we provide a range of stamping methods for EVs, including progressive die, compound die, transfer die stamping, and more. As previously mentioned, progressive die stamping uses a progressive die containing multiple stamping stations that conduct progressive operations on sheet metal strips. The ability of this process to perform several forming techniques progressively makes it highly viable for high-volume production runs.

    Our alternative stamping options include:

    • Fine blanking
    • Transfer
    • Compound
    • Stage tooling

    Our alternative stamping options reduce labor costs and production time through high-tech automation. Our stamping solutions are ideal for reducing lead times and increasing productivity.

    EV Stamping Services at Aranda Tooling

    At Aranda Tooling, we provide a wide range of tooling services, from fine blanking to compound stamping. We can help you optimize your production and lead times and reduce labor costs to increase your productivity. Our solutions encourage precision and high-quality end products. Contact us to learn more or request a quote for our services and products.