One of the lesser known types of metal forming is spinning. It is, perhaps, better known among certain metal artisans than among the general public. Yet, spun metal products are manufactured by companies around the world for common applications. When it comes to refrigerant and HVAC systems, spinning is a technique often employed to create a product. Spun copper driers are but one example.
What Is Metal Spinning?
Metal spinning goes under several different names. These include spin forming, metal turning or spinning. Spun copper driers by Spinco Metal Products, for example, are formed by using the process. The process consists of several components:
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Computer numerical control (CNC) lathe – upon which the metal and form are spinning (although it can be performed by hand, the lathe is the more convenient, fastest and least expensive means of doing so). It is programmed with the desired pattern
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The wooden pattern or form – pre-turned and three-dimensional which will provide the desired shape for the metal
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The metal disk or blank – generally copper or brass are the most common choices for spinning. This is because both metals have high ductility and are, therefore, are easily spun, producing the desired and desirable products
The pressure on the metal must be applied with care and speed if it is to take the pattern. One interesting fact about the overall process is that it is usually done cold with cold metal, although hot spinning does exist and can be used.
As may be the case with spun copper driers, spinning is usually restricted to the production of a limited number of specific parts. This makes the process advantageous. In fact, spinning copper and other metals is advantageous to producers in a number of ways.
Advantages of Metal Spinning
When it comes to metal spinning and the production of spun copper driers, the method is said to be advantageous for the following reasons:
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Tooling – low costs
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Turnaround time – fast
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Strength and hardness not as easily achieved through other forms of metal forming
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Smoother lines than those arrived at through welding
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Superior quality finish
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From prototype to production is an easy conversion with the use of CNC Lathes
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Small batches are manufactured in this manner more inexpensively than by several other methods
Overall, as spun copper driers by Spinco Metal Products can show, copper spinning is an efficient, cost-effective way to produce a quality product. Whether the company plans to produce spun copper driers or to send small batches of other types of copper or brass components to an OEM, eh process can be beneficial for all parties. It must, however, be performed properly under the right conditions and to the exact specifications asked for by the OEM or other client.
