7 Fast Facts About Aluminum

From soda cans and ladders to electrical wiring and airplane fuselages, countless products are made of aluminum. Along with steel, it’s become one of the world’s most widely used metals. While you’ve almost certainly used a product containing this metal … Read More

What Is Metal Spinning?

Also known as metal turning, metal spinning is a type of metalworking process that involves the use of a rotating machine — typically a CNC lathe — to deform metal over a pre-shaped mold. Unlike with other metal turning processes, … Read More

6 Surprising Facts About Steel Mills

Steel mills, also known as steelworks, are industrial factories that specialize in the production of steel. They typically smelt down iron and carbon, mixing the two together in a specific ratio to create steel. Even if you’re familiar with this … Read More

What Is a Manufacturing Execution System?

To track the expenditure of raw materials, many manufacturing companies use a centralized computer system known as a manufacturing execution system (MES). Featuring both hardware and software, an MES allows manufacturing companies to analyze their production processes in real time … Read More

What is Contract Manufacturing?

One of the most misunderstood segments of manufacturing involves the use of a third-party to manage the relationship between an end user and the folks who actually make the parts. With the advent of the world market, realizing lowest manufacturing … Read More

Evaporative-Pattern Casting 101: What You Should Know

Along with sand molding, plaster molding and shell molding, evaporative-pattern casting is a common casting process used in the metalworking industry. Statistics show that it accounts for up to 29% of all aluminum casting performed in the United States. But … Read More

Electroplating vs Electroless Plating: What’s the Difference?

It’s not uncommon for manufacturing companies to add a layer of metal over the surface of their products or components used to make their products. Known as plating, it’s used in a variety of applications. Jewelry, for example, often contains … Read More