Precision metal manufacturing is one of the single most important industries in the world. Without it, superalloy aerospace rotor blades wouldn’t be in the right shape to do their job. You need hundreds of blades working in unison with very little tolerance. Did we mention that the superalloy they’re made from is a single metal crystal?

Precision work with high-tech materials literally gets you where you want to go on a daily basis.

But what is Precision metal manufacturing, and how does precision fabrication work? Is it the same as welding?

Keep reading to find out all the answers you need!

What Is Precision Metal Manufacturing?

At precision metal manufacturing companies, like Atlas Tool Works, they use a variety of processes to make a product exactly as intended. Although there’s a wide variety of these processes, the most commonly used subtractive manufacturing processes in metal fabrication are:

  • Precision metal stamping
  • Sheet metal fabrication
  • Machining and turning
  • Mechanical assembly and testing
  • Electronic and pneumatic assembly and testing
  • Welding
  • Riveting and screw or nut assembly
  • Wire EDM (electrical discharge machining)
  • Sinker EDM
  • Water jet cutting
  • Laser cutting

There are also many additive processes. Most people are familiar with the term “3D printing,” the most common form of additive processes. Many people have seen products 3D printed in plastic or even used in rapid prototyping.

Did you know that there are 3D printers for metals, though? Additive manufacturing for metal prototyping uses metal “powders” to that a laser or electrical discharge will melt and merge to create a solid object.

Another form will “spray” this metal powder, timed with a laser or electrical discharge. Both have their merits and their drawbacks but both help to usher in a new era of complex geometric shapes and manufacturing methods.

What Makes It Precise?

For a part to be “precise” it usually has tight tolerances for operation. The manufacturing technologies we use today are up to supplying our demand for high-quality products.

Much of this is due to the increasing ability of CNC machines like 5-axis or 6-axis CNC machines working with higher resolution CAD/CAM. Computer-aided design has improved dramatically, along with computer technologies.

Precision metal fabricators and technicians spend thousands of hours learning their tradecraft. They learn engineering on CAD/CAM to lathe works to precision sheet metal punch presses to laser cutters to metrology using micrometers, calipers, and laser inspection devices.

They’re usually working on a micrometer or sometimes even nanometer levels to ensure the accuracy of the part or assembly.

What Kinds of Products Need Precision Metal Manufacturing?

Many of the parts that need precision metal manufacturing are in everyday products. We need to rely on these products to do their jobs without jamming. They need to work every time without giving it a second thought.

Most often, these parts are in:

  • Medical equipment
  • Pneumatic equipment
  • Photovoltaics
  • Solar concentrators
  • Electromechanical devices
  • Automotive industry components
  • Defense
  • Aerospace
  • High-speed trains
  • Household appliances

Precision Metal Fabrication and You

Almost every business can benefit from precision metal manufacturing and fabrication. This is true whether you’re making a precision component of a larger assembly or the whole assembly must follow strict tolerances.

Now that you know everything you need to know to get started, do you have a product in mind? Do you need to learn about prototyping and design?

Keep browsing our articles for the business and technology tips you need to make it unique and marketable!