Precision Metal Parts Manufacturing Services

Metal Parts manufacturing materials & production

In contemporary manufacturing, metal parts manufacturing is a core process that covers a wide range of areas and is technically complex. Whether it is household appliances in daily life or key components of high-end equipment such as aviation and automobiles, they are almost inseparable from the forming and processing of metal materials.

Metal parts manufacturing is not just a single processing behavior, it is also a collection of systematic processes. From the initial design concept to the delivery of the finished product, each step has a profound impact on the performance and quality of the final product.

1. What is metal parts manufacturing?

The essence of metal parts manufacturing is the organic combination of a series of processing and treatment technologies around the material metal. From engineering drawings to finished products, each metal part must go through multiple links such as material screening, forming processing, connection assembly, and surface treatment. This involves both high-precision CNC machinery and the experience judgment and quality control of process personnel.

In today's increasingly customized and complex parts manufacturing, Xavier's metal parts manufacturing services have won wide recognition from customers from various industries with the three core advantages of flexibility, precision and repeatability.

With many years of processing experience and in-depth understanding of the characteristics of metal materials, we can accurately adjust the process parameters according to different structural requirements to ensure that each product meets high quality standards.

2. Types of metal materials

In the entire manufacturing chain, material selection is a crucial starting point. Although there are many types of metal materials, the ones that are truly widely used are concentrated in a few categories. Their common characteristics are excellent mechanical properties, thermal properties and processing adaptability. For example, metals such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and titanium play an important role in different industrial fields due to their respective strength, density, ductility and corrosion resistance.

Steel is widely used in structural parts manufacturing due to its excellent strength and processing performance, while stainless steel has become the preferred material for industries such as food, medical and shipbuilding due to its corrosion resistance. Aluminum is widely used in aerospace and automobile manufacturing due to its light weight and high strength. Copper and brass play an irreplaceable role in electrical equipment due to their electrical and thermal conductivity. Titanium alloys show great advantages in scenarios with extremely high requirements for strength, weight and corrosion resistance.

In addition to these common metals, some high-performance alloys are also used in the manufacturing process, such as Inconel alloy. This material still maintains excellent mechanical properties in high temperature environments and is an ideal material for aircraft engines and energy equipment. Similarly, magnesium alloys are gradually being widely used in lightweight automobiles and aircraft structures due to their extremely light weight and good strength.

Common metal material properties and application distribution table:

Material Name	Main Constituent Elements	Typical Characteristics	Common Application Fields
Steel	Iron, carbon, manganese, silicon, etc.	High strength, high hardness, heat treatable, moderate cost	Structural components, gears, shafts, tools
Stainless Steel	Iron, chromium (≥10.5%)	Corrosion-resistant, aesthetically pleasing, easy to weld, high temperature-resistant	Food equipment, medical devices, architectural decoration, fasteners
Inconel Alloy	Nickel, chromium, iron, etc.	Extremely high strength, heat fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance	Aircraft engines, chemical equipment, energy facilities
Chromium Alloy	Chromium as the main component	Extremely high hardness, strong corrosion resistance, bright appearance	Decorative coatings, tool coatings, wear-resistant components
Titanium	Pure titanium or titanium alloy	High strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, low thermal expansion, good biocompatibility	Aviation, medical implants, chemical equipment, high-end sports equipment
Aluminum	Aluminum as the main component (with small amounts of copper, magnesium, etc.)	Lightweight, good thermal conductivity, easy to process, corrosion resistance	Aviation structures, automotive parts, electronic casings, building materials
Magnesium	Magnesium as the main component	Ultra-lightweight, high strength, good flame retardancy, long mold life	Automotive components, aviation parts, consumer electronics casings
Brass	Copper and zinc	Easy to machine, antibacterial, beautiful color, corrosion resistance	Decorative accessories, instrument valves, medical components
Copper	Pure copper or copper alloy	Excellent electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, soft, strong ductility	Electrical wires and cables, electronic components, heat exchangers, alloy base materials

3. Popular metal parts manufacturing technology

Once the material is selected, the metal processing method depends on the structure, precision requirements and batch size of the part.

(1) Subtractive manufacturing process: CNC machining

CNC machining is undoubtedly the most commonly used method at present. Through precisely controlled milling, turning, drilling and other means, metal is cut and formed with high efficiency and high precision. This method is suitable for the manufacture of parts with complex surfaces, precise dimensions and small batch customization. CNC machine tools can operate continuously around the clock, greatly improving production capacity while maintaining extremely high dimensional consistency and repeatability.

(2) Metal forming processes: die casting, forging, sheet metal and stamping

However, for parts with large batches and relatively fixed structures, die casting, forging and sheet metal stamping are more cost-effective options.

The die casting process uses high pressure to inject molten metal into a metal mold to achieve rapid cooling and forming. It is suitable for manufacturing parts with complex shapes and smooth appearance.

Forging applies huge pressure to change the shape of metal in a plastic state. Its finished products have higher structural strength and fatigue resistance. It is the preferred method for load-bearing parts such as gears, connecting rods, and flywheels.

Sheet metal and stamping processing are mainly used for cutting and forming thin sheet metal, and are widely used in electrical housings, equipment panels, brackets, etc.

(3) Additive manufacturing process: 3D printing

In addition to traditional subtractive processing and forming processes, additive manufacturing, namely metal 3D printing, has also been developing rapidly in recent years. It builds parts by stacking metal powder or wire layer by layer, and can easily realize the manufacture of complex geometric structures, such as built-in cooling channels or multi-functional integrated parts. This technology is particularly suitable for trial production, small batch production and customized parts in high-end fields. Although the current cost is relatively high, its unique advantages in the fields of aerospace, medical implants, etc. are promoting its rapid popularization.

4. Post-processing process of metal parts

It is worth noting that the manufacturing of metal parts is not limited to forming processing. Post-processing processes also play a vital role in the performance and life of products, mainly including heat treatment and surface treatment.

(1) Heat treatment

Heat treatment is a commonly used secondary processing method. It can not only enhance the strength of the material, but also effectively eliminate the internal stress generated by the raw material during initial processing or heavy mechanical cutting. For example, carbon steel such as 1018 can be surface hardened by carburizing or nitriding to improve wear resistance. 4140 alloy steel can easily reach a hardness of more than 50 Rc by quenching and tempering. 17-4 PH stainless steel can also obtain extremely high hardness after heat treatment, as can some 400 series stainless steel.

In contrast, due to its austenitic structure, 300 series stainless steel cannot be hardened by traditional heat treatment and usually relies on cold working or die drawing to increase hardness. As for soft metals such as aluminum and magnesium, although they cannot be hardened by heat treatment, their stability and performance can be improved by low-temperature stress relief or "aging" heating.

(2) Surface treatment

Surface treatment can improve the appearance, corrosion resistance or bonding of parts. For example, steel parts are often carburized, quenched, tempered and other methods to improve hardness. Stainless steel parts have better surface texture after polishing. Aluminum alloys are anodized to obtain higher corrosion resistance and various color effects. Magnesium alloys and copper alloys can also improve their surface performance and aesthetics through chemical plating, electroplating, painting and other methods. Mechanical treatment methods such as shot peening and sand blasting can not only remove burrs, but also improve the microstructure of the surface of parts, which helps to improve fatigue resistance.

5. Summary

In the entire metal parts manufacturing process, the selection of technology should not be considered in isolation, but should comprehensively consider the function of the parts, the use environment, the output requirements and the budget cost. For example, large-volume consumer products are more suitable for die casting and stamping, while key parts used in aviation, medical and other industries tend to choose CNC machining or 3D printing to ensure performance and precision. At the same time, the manufacturing process also needs to focus on quality inspection, including dimensional measurement, hardness testing, fatigue testing, etc., to ensure that each product meets the design standards.

Metal parts manufacturing involves multiple aspects, including material selection, process planning, dimensional accuracy, and post-processing. Even experienced engineers often encounter challenges. For example:

• How can I determine if a particular manufacturing process is suitable for my parts?

• What are the key factors affecting lead time and cost?

• How can I balance high precision with low cost?

These questions are not easy to answer. To help you make better decisions, we have prepared a more comprehensive guide to metal parts manufacturing on our website. Click here to read it.