Here is an interesting video of a manual metal spinning operation. It shows a nose cone for a wind vane being made. This form is somewhat simple and much more complex shapes can be manufactured with metal spinning. Whilst automated or CNC metal spinning operations are available these days it is good to see how these processes are done by …
Has Ford Developed The Most Flexible Sheet Metal Forming Process?
Just when you thought that sheet metal forming technology couldn’t progress much further Ford Motor Company has managed to almost re-invent the wheel. The machine shown in their video below is called ‘Ford Freeform Fabrication Technology’ (F3T) and is a cross between a sheet metal press tool and a 3D printer. The machine uses a pair of opposed delta robots where the upper robot …
Six Axis Robot For Multi-Stage Grinding And Polishing
Investment in automation is key for any situation where repetitive tasks are performed. Using a multi-axis axis robot as part of the automation can eliminate the need for a manual operation whilst maintaining process flexibility. This video shows how two KUKA six-axis robots were utilised by Aesculaps to perform several different grinding and polishing operations on medical implants. Using a robot ensured reliability …
Hot Tube Spinning
Pressure vessel manufacturing using hot metal spinning.
3D Multi Interconnect Device Manufacture Using Laser Direct Structuring
LPKF Laser & Electronics has created an interesting video series on the manufacture of a 3D Multi Interconnect Devices, or ‘3D MIDs’, using Laser Direct Structuring (LDS) to create the circuit. A 3D MID is a type electronic device that includes the electrical components and its interconnecting circuits and has a 3 dimensional shape, as opposed to a typical flat …
Operations Of An End Mill In Carbon Steel
A series of end mill operations are demonstrated in this video from Seco Tools. Their Turbo 10 End Mill tool is shown working SS2244 Medium Carbon Steel (same as or similar to AISI 4140 Steel) with operations such as plunge milling, slot milling, shoulder milling and ramped pocketing. Watch those chips fly!
Aluminium Extrusion Die And Process Explained
This video provides a breakdown of the components in an aluminium extrusion die. Machine and die components shown for the extrusion process are; the container the inner tool the outer tool the tool carrier the press disc; and the main ram. The video goes on to show aluminium extrusion process used to make a round tube including how the inner and outer extrusion …
Airbus Sees Cost And Mass Reduction Opportunities From 3D Printing
Airbus uses 3D printing of metals and plastics for production and service parts. Future aircraft will benefit from cost and mass reductions enabled by 3D printing.
High-Speed Laser Welding On Sheet Metal Components
Rofin-Baasel present high-speed laser welding of an automotive sheet metal component in this video.
3D CNC Tube Bending
I was absolutely mesmerised by this process when I first saw it. The machine shown in this video is a Nissin 3D CNC Tube Bender. You can see the machine bend tube in any direction to form complex 3D forms. It is even possible to bend continuously variable curvatures. Imagine the design optimisation that is possible with such a flexible …