There’s more than one way to craft metal artwork. Below, we outline the most commonly used metalworking processes and techniques, breaking down the applications and advantages of each. Let’s dive in!
Forging
Forging is one of the oldest and most celebrated metalworking traditions. Its origins stretch back to the beginnings of human civilization when craftsmen discovered that they could bend the elements to their will through the application of extreme heat.
Traditionally, forging was done by hand using a simple forge, hammer, tongs, and an anvil. Today, many metal workers use machine presses to forge hot metal quickly and precisely. This involves heating the metal and feeding it into a machine press where it can easily be manipulated into shape.
Advantages: Forged metal is typically stronger than cast or machined metal because the metal grains are aligned.
Applications: Auto Industry, Aerospace, Hardware Tools
Casting
Casting involves pouring liquid metal into a mold and then letting it solidify (think back to the opening of Lord of the Rings). This enables the creation of intricate shapes that would be next to impossible using just a machine press.
Advantages: Complex shapes and large parts to be cast with relative ease
Applications: Engine Parts, Complex Machinery, Metal Art Installations
Welding
Welding describes the process of combining metal pieces by melting them at the joint and adding a filler material to create a bond. There are several different techniques for welding metals together, including spot welding, flux welding, and arc welding.
At Latest Metalworks, our team adheres to strict Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety standards. Our designated on-staff inspector verifies that each weld that leaves our building meets set quality control standards.
Advantages: Creates strong, permanent joints and can be used on various metals.
Applications: Construction, Auto Repair, Manufacturing, Shipbuilding
Extrusion
Extrusion involves pushing metal through a die to create objects of a fixed cross-sectional profile.
A die is a template. Think of the metal cookie cutters your mom used to create different-shaped goodies, except replace the dough with molten metal, and you have a pretty good idea of what we’re talking about.
Advantages: Creates complex cross-sections.
Applications: Pipes, Rods, and Structural Components
Tubing
Tube extrusion involves forcing metal through a die to create a continuous length of tubing with a fixed cross-sectional profile. This process is similar to extrusion for solid profiles but designed explicitly for hollow sections.
Latest Metalworks’ tubing center uses cutting-edge technology to create precision tubing for all applications. Our triple stack die bender is equipped with a mandrel for perfect form throughout the bend. Various dies give us limitless possibilities for forming different-size tubing without scratches and gouging. Tube rolling is offered for tubing that needs larger sweeping radii.
Advantages: Can produce complex shapes with high precision and minimal waste.
Applications: Used in automotive, aerospace, and medical industries for making gears, bearings, and filters.
Powder Metallurgy
Powder metallurgy involves compressing metal powders into their desired shape and heating them to bond particles. Despite its fabulous name, which sounds like some sort of sorcery, metallurgy is a highly scientific process. Its key advantage compared to other types of metalworking is that it eliminates the need for subtractive processes, thereby minimizing product waste.
Advantages: Can produce complex shapes with high precision and minimal waste.
Applications: Used in automotive, aerospace, and medical industries for making gears, bearings, and filters.
Water Jet Cutting
Water jet cutting involves using a pressurized stream of water mixed with an abrasive substance to cut through metals. Water is pressurized to about 30,000 to 90,000 psi and expelled through a small nozzle at a high velocity.
Latest Metalworks’ Omax Machines have a highly abrasive grit, which helps us get through stronger, thicker material faster without sacrificing edge quality.
Advantages: Waterjets can cut a wide range of materials with extreme precision, and because they do not generate heat, there is no warping or changes to material properties.
Applications: Auto, Architecture, Art and Design
Our Processes
Latest Metalworks uses various time-tested and cutting-edge techniques to craft beautiful metal masterpieces. Learn more about our specific services.