Manufacturing processes Articles

Forging and casting are two foundational metal manufacturing processes that produce the majority of structural components used in automotive, aerospace, energy, and medical devices. In simple terms, forging reshapes solid metal by compressive force to align and refine its grain structure, while casting pours molten metal into a mold to form complex shapes. A growing…

Tempering steel is the controlled reheating of quenched steel to a temperature below the lower critical point, typically between 150 to 700 °C, followed by a soak and a controlled cool. The goal is simple yet profound. reduce brittleness, relieve internal stresses, and tune the balance between hardness and toughness so the steel can perform…

What Is Alloy Steel? Alloy steel is steel in which purposeful additions of elements such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium, manganese, and silicon are used to tailor properties beyond the iron and carbon base. By modifying chemistry and heat treatment, engineers can achieve an optimized balance of strength, toughness, hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion performance…

Molding and casting are formative manufacturing processes that shape materials within a cavity to create parts. In simple terms, molding creates the negative cavity or tool, and casting is the act of filling that cavity with a liquid or pliable material that solidifies into the final part. As Smooth-On explains, the mold holds a negative…

In the realm of metal part manufacturing, Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and Powder Metallurgy (PM) stand out as two prominent techniques. Both processes utilize metal powders to fabricate components, yet they differ significantly in methodology, capabilities, and applications. Understanding these differences is crucial for engineers and manufacturers aiming to select the most suitable process for…

In the oil and gas sector, manifolds are critical assemblies that consist of interconnected valves, pipes, and fittings. Their primary function is to control, distribute, and monitor the flow of fluids, such as oil, gas, and water, during various phases of operations, including exploration, drilling, production, and processing. By efficiently managing fluid flow, manifolds ensure…

Gate valves are essential components in fluid control systems, designed primarily to start or stop the flow of liquids through pipelines. These valves operate by lifting a gate out of the fluid’s path, providing a straight-through passage when fully open, which results in minimal pressure drop. This characteristic makes gate valves ideal for applications requiring…

What it is, how it works, when to use it, and how it compares to alternative manufacturing methods Why MIM Matters in Modern Manufacturing As consumer products become more compact, functional, and refined, the components inside them must meet higher standards—mechanically and visually. That’s where Metal Injection Molding (MIM) stands out. MIM is a modern…

Stainless steel is a versatile and corrosion-resistant alloy composed primarily of iron, chromium, and other elements such as nickel, molybdenum, and carbon. Its unique properties make it indispensable across various industries, including construction, automotive, medical, and kitchenware. The specific grades of stainless steel determine their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and suitability for particular applications. Stainless…

Metal casting has shaped human civilization since 4000 BC , evolving from ancient bronze statues to today’s precision-engineered components. In the modern world, this transformative process-where molten metal is poured into carefully designed molds-drives a global industry worth over  Us$179.08 billion. Custom castings represent the cutting edge of this field, where advanced engineering meets ancient…