Manufacturing metals
There are a range of industrial manufacturing processes that are used in creating products from metal.
Die casting
Die casting is a process of producing metal parts or components by forcing molten metal into cavity moulds under high pressure. It can produce large numbers of complex pieces and so is ideal for mass production. Because die casting can have expensive set-up costs, large volumes of goods need to be produce to make if cost effective.
An example of goods produced via die casting would be component parts for engines.
How die casting works
Sand casting
Sand casting is another way of creating metal products using a mould. A pattern shape of the product to be manufactured is made in sand. Molten metal is then poured in and allowed to cool before being removed from the sand.
Sand casting is one of the oldest forms of metal casting. It can produce a wide variety of product but, because of the length and involved processes involved, it cannnot produce high volumes of products. The products it produces can also have a rough finish.
Sand casting is used to produce goods such as components for cars.
How sand casting works
Metal lathe
Metal lathes are a common tool used for machining metal to produce goods. They work by rotating a workpiece and moving a cutting tools to remove material.
There are a variety of finishes that can be applied to metal products by using different tools and processes on the lathe. Chamfering cuts sloped or angled edges on to a piece, facing-off creates a flat plane on a surface, while knurling produces a patterned effect on the surface of a product.
How metal lathes work