It is common to think of metal spinning and hydroforming as highly specialised and targeted metal-forming techniques. Consequently, many engineers need to know how useful these methods are.
Hydroforming and metal spinning are the most common industrial processes used to make many products, including gas cylinders, lighting gear, musical instruments, satellite dishes, etc. You may choose the most appropriate metal-forming technique for your needs by learning about the advantages of each procedure.
Hydroforming and metal spinning are the most effective and efficient techniques for producing high-quality, long-lasting metal components and parts.
Parts and components made with the hydroforming technique are robust and well-built, and there is almost little waste. One common method for making complicated components and parts out of flexible materials is the inexpensive and widely used hydroforming process.
The process of metal spinning, also known as spin forming, involves shaping metal discs using methods that are conceptually comparable to those used in the sculpture of clay pots. Metal spinning can be manually or automated using CNC lathes; the latter is more common for smaller production runs. Stainless steel dishes, gas cylinders, brass instruments, and bowls are some of the common metal components spun into production.
Spinning metal allows for the creation of any ductile metal, including:
Metal spinning is a cold forming, yet it can also be a hot forming technique, depending on the material.
Technicians can use a torch to hot-form a component when cold-forming isn't an option. With the item heated, it can be easily shaped or necked to smaller diameters with low effort and work hardening.
This is for all you machinists who have ever wondered what goes into making those pieces that look like bowls and top hats. For metal spinning to occur, a mandrel that has been machined to match the intended workpiece's dimensions and shape is used to gently push metal sheets over it.
The flow is improved wherever work hardening is an issue, such as in confined spaces, around corners, or during a "cold" operation. You might need a blowtorch to soften the metal.
Superalloys like titanium and Inconel and ductile metals like aluminium, copper, brass, carbon, and stainless steel are all good candidates for metal spinning.
For example, a bell-shaped mandrel would be mounted onto a lathe spindle to create a stainless-steel bell. The mandrel can be manufactured from metal, hard plastic, or wood for tasks requiring a higher production volume.
A thin disc, about 1/8 of an inch thick (or more or less, depending on the bell's size), is required to be slightly longer than the outer surface's maximum length. Some specialty businesses have suggested that materials with a thickness of 1 inch or more can be spun.
Aluminium, stainless, carbon, and high-performance alloys are just a few examples of ductile metals that can be created. Machine intricate curves, narrow grooves, and other complex features can be the machine with a single cycle.
Comparable in design to traditional turning centres, metal spinning lathes have indexable tool holders that permit the operator to swiftly and easily execute secondary turning operations and edge detailing without interrupting the process for setup.
Various forming procedures can be used for metal spinning depending on the building material and the desired output volume. For thinner gauge materials and low-to medium-volume applications, the hand-shaped metal might be best achieved by a trained operator delicately pulling a roller. This procedure is known as manual spinning. In situations when higher pressures are necessary, such as when working with harder metals or larger gauge materials, hydraulic-assisted spinning provides the advantages and versatility of manual spinning.
Including cutting-edge gadgets. With computer numerical control (CNC) controls, metal spinning becomes faster, more precise, and more consistent. Complex geometries with strict tolerance requirements can be produced quickly, accurately, and reliably in medium to high production numbers.
Modern computer-assisted machining (CAM) software is used to program this equipment. Additionally, operators can use a "teach" mode, where the computer records the movements of manually spinning the initial component. You can automate manufacturing a huge volume of components once the initial workpiece is made by using replay mode, which precisely replicates the actions of the hand-spinning operation.
One metal production method is sheet hydroforming, which involves using pre-shaped plates or dies and pressurised fluid to mould malleable metal into the desired components. Reduced wastage and guaranteed structurally durable parts and components result from hydroforming, a fast, efficient, and inexpensive metal-forming process.
Hydroforming is superior to conventional stamping when shaping complicated, asymmetrical, or intricate components. Hydroforming is the way to go if you need to shape carbon or stainless steel, copper, aluminium, bronze, or brass.
Among the many uses for hydroforming are the aerospace and defence industry, the commercial food industry, medical equipment, satellite communications, and many more.
Although the displacement mechanism differs in hydroforming and metal spinning, the two processes have similarities. For example, a blank marginally bigger than the final product is utilised as the foundation.
As long as the corners are rounded, hydroforming can create polygons and workpieces with irregular shapes; a round shape is not necessary. While metal spinning allows for forming a broad array of ductile metals, hydroforming suits smaller gauge materials and more intricate part geometries.
Copper, aluminium, carbon, nickel, stainless steel, and nearly all high-strength, high-temperature alloys can be hydroformed. This includes nearly all metals that can be cold-formed. Producing structurally solid components with diameters ranging from 1.0" to 30.0" and draw depths up to 12.0" is made possible by its expansive and versatile work envelope. The standard tolerances for aeroplanes, which are tight, are easily attained at ±.003".
A male dies and a draw ring, also known as a blank holder, make up the tooling used in sheet hydroforming. No fabrication is required because the hydroforming press's urethane rubber diaphragm serves as a universal female die.
Less complex tooling also allows for shorter lead times, and the process dynamics make it possible to modify the material thickness without changing the tool. Compared to traditional press tooling, hydroform tools often cost half as much, sometimes even less, than the latter.
A wide range of sectors utilise superior manufacturing techniques, including hydroforming and metal spinning, to create essential parts and components. You should consider the details of your application carefully before deciding which of these methods to use because each has its own set of benefits.
Producing components of exceptional quality and performance is another application of metal spinning. The metal spinning technique allows for the rapid creation of components, typically within a few weeks, greatly reducing the time it takes to have parts and components ready for use. The metal spinning technique usually allows the most adaptability and efficiency for making parts and components. Metal spinning works with various metals, including carbon steel and aluminium.
These techniques offer superior choices because of the relatively low tooling investment required for metal spinning and hydroforming compared to conventional deep drawing. Additionally, there is more leeway and setup times are reduced.
Hydroforming, in particular, is an area where these technologies may compete at bigger volumes. Many complicated, production-level components in the aerospace and automobile sectors employ it.
Metal spinning and sheet hydroforming are two manufacturing processes that have a lot of promise for prototypes and low to medium-volume production. This is a popular trend, especially for products with unique customisations, low demand, or a short life cycle due to changed consumer preferences.
Cheap, low-volume production also allows companies to break into untapped markets or carve out a unique niche in well-established ones. A corporation can test growth and expansion potential and product development plans in less-known markets by producing at a lower investment and volume, reducing risk and exposure.
Both metal spinning and hydroforming are extremely adaptable processes that find employment in various commercial, architectural, medical, transportation, and industrial settings. Both have the potential to enhance and add versatility to the production of a wide variety of components, and they can meet an almost endless diversity of design issues.
The car industry is one sector keen on using lighter components to achieve fuel reduction goals and cut CO2 emissions. Automotive manufacturers must use innovative production techniques and strong, lightweight materials like aluminium to reduce vehicle weight and meet the increasing demands for optimal fuel efficiency, safety, and environmental regulations. Engineers can specify stronger and more resistant to environmental exposures to spun metal or hydroformed components, which are lighter than machined or stamped counterparts.
Both of these production methods find application in the architectural sector for projects of varied sizes and degrees of complexity. Large quantities of cylindrical lighting components are available for commercial use. However, designers looking to add dramatic, one-of-a-kind lighting to a commercial project on a budget might benefit greatly from low-volume manufacture. Door knobs are just one example of an ordinary product that may have a personalised touch while still being functional and durable.
Spin and hydroforming are perfect for just-in-time delivery of a few units per order because technologically complicated equipment, such systems utilised in the medical business, is usually created in low volume numbers. The major benefits are avoiding the cost of long-term part inventories and making easy, low-cost design adjustments in response to technical developments.
There are several advantages of hydroforming over more traditional processes, such as stamping, including:
Hydroforming eliminates the need for further finishing processes and forms structurally sound, flawless components in approximately 20 seconds with a tolerance of +/- 0.003 inches.
Hydroforming is the way to go for parts with complicated or odd shapes.
Hydroforming is economical for small, medium, and big batches. The great adaptability of hydroforming to design modifications makes it a great material for prototyping.
When compared to metal stamping, hydroforming leaves almost no scrap.
The benefits of metal spinning for a flexible and efficient process include:
Metal spinning may be easily adjusted to meet the changing needs of product designs, providing maximum flexibility at all times.
Components that demand exceptional strength and aesthetics might benefit from metal spinning, which creates seamless, long-lasting pieces devoid of seams or welds.
Metal spinning tools are usually 10% more expensive than equipment used in other forms of forming, such as stamping, casting, and forging.
Significantly reduced turnaround times are made possible by the metal spinning process. We can have the tooling and spun components ready in weeks.
Numerous sectors make use of metal spinning and hydroforming methods, such as:
components of aircraft, satellites
surface cookware, well-seasoned cookware
lighting components,
energy equipment for solar, steam, and wind power, in addition to fuel cells
Thermostats, HVAC, filters, and pressure vessels; OEM partner
medical imaging facilities, research tools
drilling for oil, pipelines
parts for hot rods, rims for wheels, and housings made of steel
Metal spinning and hydroforming are two specialised ways to shape metal that are used in many fields, such as to make gas tanks, lighting equipment, musical instruments, and satellite dishes. They work well and quickly to make high-quality metal parts and components that last a long time. Metal spinning is the process of shaping metal plates in ways that are similar to making clay pot sculptures. It can be done by hand or automatically with CNC lathes. It can be used to make any metal that can be bent, like aluminium, stainless steel, alloy steel, gold brass, and steel titanium Hastelloy.
Metal spinning can be done on superalloys like titanium and Inconel or ductile metals like aluminium, copper, brass, carbon steel, and stainless steel using a mandrel that has been made to fit the size and shape of the workpiece that will be spun. Depending on the building material and the amount that is wanted, different forming methods can be used. For smaller gauge materials and low to medium-volume jobs, manual spinning works best. Hydraulic-assisted spinning, on the other hand, has all the benefits and flexibility of manual spinning.
Hydroforming is a quick, easy, and cheap way to shape metal that cuts down on waste and makes sure that parts and pieces will last. It works better than regular stamping when shaping parts that are difficult, asymmetrical, or intricate. Hydroforming works well with thinner materials and parts with complicated shapes, which makes it a great choice for many businesses.
Hydroforming and metal spinning are two ways that parts and pieces are made and used in many different industries. With hydroforming, you can make physically solid parts with diameters from 1.0" to 30.0" and draw depths up to 12.0". Compared to standard deep drawing, it requires fewer tools, gives you more freedom, and takes less time to set up.
For example, metal spinning lets parts be made quickly—within a few weeks—which cuts down on the time it takes to get them ready to use. It can be used with many metals, such as aluminium and carbon steel. Both ways are good because they can make things quickly and efficiently, give you more design options, use cheaper tools, and cut down on wait times.
Hydroforming is very popular in the aerospace and auto industries because it can compete at higher volumes and meet the growing needs for safety, fuel economy, and environmental regulations. It can also be used for just-in-time delivery of a few units per order since high-tech items are usually only made in small quantities.
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Hydroforming is better than standard methods in many ways, such as speed, efficiency, complexity, cost-effectiveness, and long-term use. Metal spinning gives you more design options, high-quality, seamless pieces, cheaper tools, and shorter wait times.
These methods are used in many fields, including architecture, commercial kitchenware and tools for food preparation, energy, industry, medicine, oil and agriculture, and vehicle parts.
Metal spinning, also known as spin forming, is a precision metalworking process where flat or hollow billets are mounted onto a spinning machine's mold. As the billet rotates, a spinning wheel or driving rod applies controlled pressure, inducing localized plastic deformation to shape the material.
At Yixing Technology, we elevate this process by combining the principles of forging, extrusion, stretching, and bending into a seamless operation. Our advanced techniques minimize or eliminate the need for cutting, ensuring efficient material usage and superior surface finishes. By pressing metal billets—whether cylindrical, flat, or preformed—onto a rotating core mold, we achieve continuous, point-by-point deformation, producing high-precision hollow rotating parts with complex geometries.
Ideal for conical components used in:
Aerospace: Engine cones, nose cones, and aerodynamic fairings.
Automotive: Exhaust components, air intake cones, and suspension parts.
Lighting: Reflectors, lamp shades, and conical light fixtures.
HVAC: Ducting components and conical diffusers.
Defense: Missile casings and radar housings.
Perfect for manufacturing:
Ball Valves: High-precision spherical components for fluid control systems.
Decorative Elements: Architectural domes, ornamental spheres, and artistic installations.
Lighting: Spherical lamp covers, pendant lights, and decorative lighting fixtures.
Medical Equipment: Spherical housings for imaging devices and surgical instruments.
Energy Sector: Pressure vessels and storage tanks.
Consumer Goods: Cookware lids and spherical containers.
Essential for creating cylindrical parts in:
Machinery: Hydraulic cylinders, rollers, and bearing housings.
Instrumentation: Sensor housings, telescope tubes, and laboratory equipment.
Automotive: Fuel tanks, exhaust pipes, and shock absorber tubes.
Aerospace: Rocket bodies, satellite casings, and engine housings.
Lighting: Cylindrical lamp bodies, housings for LED fixtures, and industrial light tubes.
Industrial Equipment: Compressed air tanks and pneumatic cylinders.
Yixing Technology delivers precision metal spinning services that cater to a wide range of industries, including lighting, aerospace, automotive, nuclear power, and electronics. Our advanced spin forming technology enables the production of high-quality, complex components with exceptional accuracy and efficiency.
Automotive: Car wheels, exhaust diffusers, oxygen sensor housings, and other critical components.
Aerospace: High-precision parts such as aircraft engine turbine blowers, rocket engine turbine pumps, and aerodynamic fairings.
Lighting: LED reflectors, lamp cups, lampshades, downlights, and other lighting components.
Electronics: Housings for sensors, connectors, and other precision parts.
Nuclear Power: Radiation shielding components and specialized containers.
Our metal spinning services are versatile and adaptable, making them ideal for diverse sectors, including:
Lighting Industry Sculpture and Ornamental Cryogenic Industry
HVAC Industry Craft Brewing Industry Agricultural Industry
Transportation Industry Oil & Gas Food Industry
Marine Industry Bulk Handling Medical/Pharmaceutical
Aerospace Automotive Electronics Industry
At Yixing Technology, we combine cutting-edge technology with expert craftsmanship to provide tailored solutions for your unique needs. Whether you require high-volume production or custom prototypes, we are committed to delivering precision and quality in every project.
Contact us today to learn how our metal spinning and spin forming expertise can elevate your next project!
Discover the precision and versatility of Yixing Technology's Custom Metal Spinning Service through our production showcase. From intricate lighting components to high-performance aerospace parts, our advanced spin forming technology brings your designs to life with unmatched accuracy and quality. Explore how we transform raw materials into flawless, custom-made products for industries like automotive, electronics, and more.
Yixing Technology specializes in both CNC metal spinning and manual spinning, offering versatile solutions for a wide range of metal forming needs. With advanced CNC technology, Yixing Technology ensures high precision, consistency, and the ability to handle thicker materials efficiently. At the same time, our expertise in manual spinning allows for flexibility in crafting custom or intricate designs, particularly for smaller-scale or specialized projects. This dual capability enables Yixing to cater to diverse customer requirements, combining the efficiency of modern machinery with the artistry of traditional craftsmanship.
Control Method: CNC metal spinning uses a numerical control system to accurately control the path of the cutter wheel and the gap between the cutter wheel and the mold. Manual metal spinning completely relies on manual control of the cutter bar to determine the path of the cutter wheel. The path and gap between different products will be different, and are greatly affected by human factors.
Processing Accuracy: CNC metal spinning equipment offers high precision, rigidity, and processing power, ensuring consistent product accuracy, whereas manual metal spinning struggles with unstable precision. Manual metal spinning is limited by human strength, making it difficult to process thicker materials like iron over 1.2mm, aluminum over 1.5mm, or stainless steel over 1mm, often leading to defects. CNC metal spinning, however, overcomes these limitations and handles thicker materials efficiently.
Product Consistency: CNC metal spinning parts have better consistency. Due to differences in manual operation, there are certain differences between each product in manual spinning, so the consistency of batch products is poor.
Production Efficiency: CNC metal spinning can realize automated production and has high production efficiency, while manual metal spinning has lower production efficiency.
At Yixing Technology, we specialize in spin forming for a wide range of materials, from easy-to-spin aluminum to challenging titanium alloys. Our advanced equipment and expertise ensure high precision and efficiency, even for the most demanding projects.
Contact us today to learn how we can meet your custom metal spinning needs with the right materials and cutting-edge technology!
Aluminum spinningCopper spinningBrass spinningSteel spinningStainless steel spinningSpecial alloy spinningMaterialGradeProperty Spin Forming PerformanceApplicationAluminum etcExcellent ductility; spinning performance varies with heat treatment state (soft, semi-hard, hard). Soft state (O state) is ideal for spinning. Performance decreases from to series under the same heat treatment.Low hardness, excellent spinning performance.Lighting, Home Appliances, HVAC etcGood tensile strength, moderate ductility.Suitable for hydraulic stretching and forming.Hydraulic Components etcRequires heat treatment to O state for optimal spinning.Moderate spinning performance; pre-treatment improves formability.Automotive Parts etcLower ductility compared to series.Challenging to spin; requires precise control.Construction, Structural ComponentsCopperT1 T2 TU0 TU1 etcExcellent ductility; easy to form. Brass has lower ductility and higher rebound.Copper spins well; brass is more difficult due to poor ductility and rebound.Crafts, Military ApplicationsSteelSPCC DC04 Q235 etcModerate hardness and ductility; spins better than stainless steel but harder than aluminum.Easy to spin with standard equipment.Industrial Equipment, LightingStainless Steel201 304 316 etcHigh tensile strength and hardness; poor ductility.Difficult to spin; requires high-power equipment and precise control.Industrial Equipment, TablewareTitanium Exceptional tensile strength but poor ductility; harder to form than stainless steel.Extremely challenging to spin; requires specialized equipment and techniques.Aerospace, Military, TablewareLow Mold Cost: Compared with die casting and stamping, metal spinning usually only requires simple core molds and spinning wheels and other tools, so the mold cost is low. Suitable for low volume production.
Superior Strength: During the spinning process, the metal material undergoes continuous plastic deformation. The metal grains are refined and arranged in a specific direction to form a fibrous structure so the strength and hardness of the metal spun product is improved.
Ideal for Axisymmetric Parts: Metal spinning is best for cylindrical, conical, hemispherical, parabolic, etc designs which cannot be realized through other methods economically.
Seamless Design: Since the metal spinning parts are seamless without welding joints and points, it can stand higher pressure internally and externally.
Dominique Vinci(France)
We have received the samples and confirm that they have been qualified. They successfully passed all our inspections.
Petr Hein (Czech Republic)
Good job, thank you. We agree with the adjustments you made. We approve the samples. Today I will send a request for paying the remaining USD. Please start to plan your production, you will get your money within a few days, and I will send you the bank payment confirmation after we pay it.
James Irvine (Australian)
Those test samples came and we have tested them.They are perfect! They worked excellent! We need to complete the immediate order of 20,000 ASAP. Can you get that under way immediately?
Thank you!!
I will check 6mm Cup drawing tonight and initiate that over the coming days.
Markus Kalmbach (Germany)
Thank you very much for your patience! We are just proceeding the last tests and right now we are really happy with the quality. Some minor things where we need to talk about, but we are convinced that your company is able to deliver the quality we nee. We would like to extend our cooperation with you.