Flashing is a thin sheet of material that prevents water from entering cracks and other openings in a roof. Roofers apply the material under the shingles to repel water and redirect it to a location like the gutters. Flashing is vital to protect various roofing vulnerabilities, including where the roof meets the wall, edges, low points where slopes meet, and protrusions.
Why Do I Need Roof Flashing?
Roof flashing is a vital component of roof construction. It can secure joints and protect areas that receive large amounts of water. The ideal roof flashing will keep water from pooling in susceptible areas and allow the water to move toward the gutters.
A roof without flashing would quickly become leaky as the water finds its way into vulnerable areas. Roof flashing’s role in the soundness and integrity of a roof cannot be overlooked. The roof protects the interior of a home from the environment, but weak points can easily let water and other elements inside to cause damage. Vulnerabilities include joints where two slopes meet, chimneys, skylights, and vents.
Types of Roof Flashing
There are many types of roof flashing to suit various applications. These include:
Continuous Flashing: A long thin piece of metal that sends water toward the lower shingles. This flashing is sometimes called apron flashing because it works like an apron.
Base Flashing: Two pieces of metal that carry rainwater downward. It makes flashing installation around chimneys and other roof features less frustrating than most flashing options.
Counter Flashing: A vital part of base flashing, counter flashing is placed above or opposite the base flashing.
Step Flashing: A rectangular metal piece with a 90-degree bend in the center. Step flashing can be applied in layers between the shingles to ensure water flows away from walls where the roofing meets.
Skylight Flashing: A solution for preventing water from entering around skylights.
Valley Flashing: An essential component for protecting open valleys on the roof from water.
Drip Edges: Flashing installed along the edges of the roof. It is critical for preventing leaks from entering the home, expanding, and causing damage.
Kickout Flashing: A solution to bridge the gap between the gutter and the end of the step flashing. It carries water from the wall and repels it toward the gutter.
Common Materials Used
Selecting the right flashing material is vital to constructing a durable and leak-resistant roof. The following materials are ideal for roof flashing:
Aluminum. Aluminum is a durable, formable, and cost-efficient material that is ideal for difficult areas of the roof like chimneys. Aluminum flashing often requires a protective coating to eliminate corrosion.
Copper. Copper is a highly durable flashing material that is more expensive than other options but offers enhanced curb appeal. It is long-lasting and will not require paint, but forms a green patina over time.
Stainless Steel. Stainless steel is a corrosion-resistant flashing solution that can withstand exposure to acids and salt spray. Stainless steel flashing can be expensive due to its material and installation costs.
Lead. Lead offers high longevity and resistance to water. It is also soft and expands and contracts with outside temperatures.
AIC’s Roof Flashing Solutions
Roof flashing is an essential component of roofing installation, as it carries water away from vulnerable areas to prevent leaks and damage. At American Industrial Company, we are an ISO 9001:2015 certified company with over 40 years of excellent precision metal stamping services. Our 25,000 square-foot facility is equipped with the latest technology and a dedicated staff that is ready to deliver precision metal stamping and laser cutting services that meet your needs.
American Industrial Company is leading the way for metal stamping manufacturers with high-quality custom solutions for our clients throughout North America and in Europe. With a 25,000-square-foot facility just north of Chicago O’Hare airport, we specialize in turnkey packages that take your project from design to prototype to precise finished product.
Since 1981, we have been setting ourselves apart with our streamlined metal stamping manufacturing process. We take time to understand your vision and specifications, then we manage all the details to make metal stamping simple and cost-effective for you.
AIC’s Metal Stamping Services
Metal stamping is a precise, cost-effective method of forming metal into the complex shapes required for everything from cars and power tools to household appliances and sporting goods. As a one-stop manufacturer, we support the production of entire assemblies, forming metal into thicknesses of 0.005″ to 0.188″ and to tolerances of ±0.001″. Whether you need a prototype or a run of up to 1,000,000 parts, we’re on the job, with lead times ranging from just two to four weeks.
We work with stainless steel, cold/hot rolled steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, brass, copper, high strength low alloy steel, and more to create components for a variety of applications, including automotive, consumer electronics and appliances, aerospace, industrial machinery, and telecommunications. Our highly experienced machinists use state-of-the-art equipment and technology to create precise parts that meet stringent industry standards. With expert designers and engineers, automated processes that ensure consistency, and a quality control system that monitors your project every step of the way, AIC is your go-to metal stamping supplier.
Choosing AIC for Your Metal Stamping Needs
AIC is more than a metal stamping manufacturer—we’re your partner. With top-of-the-line equipment, expert designers, engineers, and machinists, and years of experience in the metal stamping industry, we have a lot to offer:
Extensive Experience
With a full line of metal stamping services and 40 years in the industry, we’ve worked on projects of all sizes, materials, and complexities. Our capabilities include everything you need to take your project from start to finish, from design and engineering to stamping and assembly, laser cutting, tooling, and a range of secondary services. Our team is committed to ongoing education and training for all our employees to ensure we stay at the top of the industry.
Quality Control
We work according to ISO 9001:2015 standards, and we’re dedicated to meeting your specifications. We’re familiar and experienced with the standards and expectations for many industries. Our thorough quality control system ensures high-quality results for our clients, and we consistently evaluate our processes for opportunities to improve. These quality assurances help you save time and money by greatly reducing errors or recognizing a potential problem early on in the process.
Customer Care
We’re competitive and committed to innovation, and, as a result, we’re able to offer the latest technology and best outcomes for our clients. We take a collaborative approach to your project to ensure we thoroughly understand your needs, and our friendly, responsive customer service team is prepared to answer any questions you have along the way. As your metal stamping partner, we look forward to a long-lasting relationship with you.
At American Industrial Company, we put our experience and expertise to work for you. Whether you need help with design and prototyping or if you’re ready for a large-scale production run, our team is here for you. Contact us to learn more about our extensive metal stamping services, or request a quote for your next project.
Depending on your application, you may be wondering whether hot rolled or cold rolled metal stamping is the best choice. Each provides advantages for different applications. However, the chemical composition of a material grade can differ depending on the manufacturing process. This blog will explore the differences between hot roll and cold rolled steel and how to choose the best forming process for your application.
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What Is Cold Rolled Metal Stamping vs. Hot Rolled Stamping?
Cold Rolled Metal Stamping
Cold rolled metal is formed by being pushed through a series of rollers at room temperature. Thick pieces of metal are ideal, and they are shaped through high pressure, which allows the material to be rolled to accurate dimensions and provides a smooth finish. Since no heating is required, cold rolled metal stamping creates a stronger product without additional resources to heat and cool it.
Hot Rolled Metal Stamping
When metal is heated above its recrystallization temperature, it becomes malleable. It can then be rolled and formed into the desired shape. However, the high temperatures required for heating mean that the product must also be cooled at room temperature to prevent stress fractures, resulting in shrinkage and a dry, scaly finish. Unfortunately, the variations in shape, size, and finish of hot roll-formed metal can’t be accurately predicted.
What Are the Advantages and Applications of Cold Rolled Metal Stamping?
Cold rolled metal stamping offers increased efficiency, fast turnaround, stamping accuracy, and close tolerances. Hot rolled metal stamping can only be performed on limited types such as boron steel, while cold forming is appropriate for a wide variety of metals. Cold rolled metals are more sharply and accurately defined, have increased strength and hardness, and higher technical and cosmetic precision than hot rolled products, making them desirable for many applications, including:
Appliances
Computer cabinets
Fan blades
Furniture
Metal containers
Structural parts
Water heaters
Why You Should Choose Metal Stamping With American Industrial
American Industrial is an industry leader in metal stamping services. When you partner with us, you are assured of the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness. We use state-of-the-art machinery and advanced stamping technologies to create parts for various industries quickly, efficiently, and with the highest quality. Our automated processes ensure repeatability and consistency in quality.
Our capabilities serve the automotive, construction, lighting, and mining industries, among many others. We work with our customers in every phase of manufacturing, from design to prototype to finished product. With the best in stamping machines, quality control machines, and artisans, our ISO 9001:2015 certified facility manufactures products that meet the most stringent specifications and demanding timelines. Our team can also provide custom manufacturing, featuring metal stamping capabilities such as:
Bending
Blanking
Coining
Forming
Piercing
Progressive Die Stamping
Secondary Production
Shallow Draw Stamping
Whether you need a highly complex order of multi-step manufactured components or a one-time prototype, our team is here to serve you. Contact us today to learn more.
The electronics industry is constantly changing. New technological innovations come out rapidly, and that means that manufacturers need to stay on top of current trends and produce innovative new items quickly, accurately, and cost-effectively. An expansive range of electronics available on the market today contain components that were stamped (or could have been). Precision metal stamping offers an excellent choice for producing electronic components thanks to its low processing times and high level of precision.
As an example, light-emitting diodes (LED) have gained significant popularity as a lighting solution in recent years. LED lighting has a wide range of residential and commercial applications, and the market for it expected to grow 13% through 2022 to reach more than $54 billion in total sales globally. Other popular electronics include smartphones, augmented reality devices, and smart home technology, including appliances with IoT technology. All of these electronic items have components that can be accurately produced with metal stamping.
What are Some Common Electronic Stamping Applications?
Electronics is a large and diverse industry that serves countless residential, commercial, and industrial needs. There are many metal stamping applications within its different subsets. For example, computers, telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, and household appliances all include electronic components that can be manufactured through metal stamping.
At American Industrial, we produce a wide variety of metal stampings for electronics manufacturers. We regularly stamp everything from small electrical components found in automotive lighting systems to larger housings using our extensive metal stamping expertise.
We have served numerous customers across the electronics sector with metal stampings that for various electronic assemblies. For example, we’ve produced components used in:
Cameras
Cleaning appliances and robots
Computer electronics
Connected audio devices
Handheld AR devices
Head-up displays
Heating and cooling devices
Kitchen appliances
Lights
Smart plugs and power strips
At American Industrial, our engineers craft a unique solution for each client’s application. We work from your part drawings to produce parts within your precise specifications.
What are the Key Benefits of Electronic Stampings?
Metal stamping has many unique benefits that make it one of the best production methods for electronic components. Metal stamping is favored by electronics OEMs and suppliers due to its high accuracy and repeatability.
Electronic devices often contain very small metal parts with no room for errors. For example, IBM’s PowerPC used billions of accurately stamped edge clips. Even with a tiny 0.5-millimeter pitch, the parts came out flawlessly. Precision stamping is the best production method available for ensuring components like these are formed correctly.
In addition to its ability to produce even tiny components accurately, some other advantages of precision metal stamping include:
Cost-efficiency. Metal stamping has a fast processing time and requires less labor than other methods, making it a cost-effective choice. It can easily fulfill high-volume orders with relatively short lead times. High-volume productions of identical units gain further economies of scale by offsetting the initial costs of tooling and set-up.
Consistent accuracy and quality. Even when producing multiple pieces simultaneously, metal stamping is extremely accurate. Even complex stamped shapes maintain accuracy, repeatability, and quality across all items within the production run
Human error has largely been eliminated from metal stamping since most aspects of the metal stamping process are automated. Automation also ensures that production is fast and efficient.
A wide variety of materials can be used in the metal stamping process, including stainless steel, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, and more. Using processes such as embossing, metal bending, metal punching, and other techniques, there is a high level of versatility in the metal stamping process that allows it to meet the demands of many applications.
Why American Industrial Is the Optimal Choice
American Industrial company has specialized in precision metal stamping for four decades. Our experts ensure that your electronic stampings are not only of the finest quality, but that they also include quick delivery times and competitive prices. We are experienced in a wide variety of stamping techniques, including:
Metal coining
Metal punching
Bending
Blanking
Piercing
Shallow draw
Progressive
Combined with our wide selection of materials, we can meet the needs of customers throughout many industries. We can handle virtually any volume, large or small, even for the most complex components. All of our processes are subject to strict quality assurance processes, as demonstrated by our ISO 9001:2015 certification.
There are many electronic applications that benefit from precision metal stamping. As industries such as LED lighting continue to expand, the ability to quickly produce large quantities of accurate components will become even more valuable to manufacturers. American Industrial Company is your source for custom-engineered metal components.
Because so many industries rely on metal stamping for their precision metal parts, metal stamping services remained in demand throughout 2020, despite the many changes and challenges the world experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Efficient and cost-effective, metal stamping allows for accurate production with an automated process that reduces a company’s labor costs. You can easily increase volume of complex metal components in a variety of shapes and sizes without necessarily increasing your workforce.
The demand for custom metal stamping is poised to increase over the next several years, as industries like automotive, aerospace, industrial, and electronics are driving the need for precise metal components to match their innovation and growth.
How Did the Metal Stamping Industry Conclude 2020?
The pandemic required many manufacturers to pivot. Facing disruptions to the supply chain and changes in consumer wants and needs, companies were forced to adapt if they wanted to survive. For some, this meant finally adopting new technology that once seemed overwhelming or cost-prohibitive, and those changes will continue to serve them into the future. Metal stamping manufacturers in particular started looking to the data to guide their strategies and realizing that with automated processes and advanced technology, including remote access capabilities for their equipment, there are new considerations for the size and location of their workforce.
Despite the many surprises 2020 threw at us, the metal stamping market continued its upward trajectory. The future is bright: the demand for precision metal components is only continuing to grow, and the market may increase by $28.41 billion in the four years leading up to 2024.
What Are the Key Changes and Insights for 2021?
Metal stamping enables the production of complex lightweight components in a variety of materials, including stainless steel, galvanized steel, high strength low alloy steel, copper, aluminum, brass, and more. The automotive and aerospace industries rely heavily on these components, because they are always looking for ways to make their vehicles lighter and more fuel efficient without sacrificing safety and durability. Demand from those industries, combined with low materials costs, will drive metal stamping trends in 2021.
Despite the state of commercial air travel in 2020—for example, the Europe region was forced to reduce their flight schedule by up to 95%, and they were not alone as would-be passengers around the world canceled their travel plans—the aerospace industry has been on a steady growth trajectory over the last several years. Even though many commercial airlines have temporarily stopped ordering new aircraft, there’s still a move to replace old passenger planes and fighter jets with new aircraft that take advantage of advanced technology to offer greater fuel efficiency and sound reduction. Metal stamping for aerospace and defense alone is projected to hit $33.6 billion by 2027, a CAGR of 4.6%. In automotive, the move toward electric and hybrid vehicles is enhancing production.
In particular, signal and power distribution systems, communication devices, and flat connection systems require metal stamped clips, switches, assemblies, bushings, connectors, and fasteners. Those applications and components alone are expected to play a big role in the industry’s growth in 2021.
Why American Industrial Is the Optimal Choice
For 40 years and counting, American Industrial Company (AIC) has offered precision metal stamping services to our clients throughout North America and around the world. From the beginning, we’ve been committed to lean manufacturing, competitive prices, and rapid delivery with a long tooling life, consistency, and uniformity within each order. We have the capabilities to manage all projects, from small to large, simple to complex, and our ISO 9001:2015 certification guarantees our commitment to quality control and customer satisfaction.
It will be another busy year in the metal stamping industry for 2021, and we’re prepared to meet demand from companies that are looking for ways to innovate and improve their products with custom metal components. We look forward to serving you. Contact us or request a quote for your next project.
The construction and power tool industry is integral for many tasks around the globe from creating homes and commercial buildings to use in everyday life. Since power tools and construction equipment are often exposed to harsh building environments, such as extreme temperatures, impacts, vibrations, and more, the industry relies on high-quality stampings capable of withstanding these conditions.
The strength, durability, and resistance of metal stamped components grants them the ability to hold up against heavy loads, aggressive use, and various types of rugged environments. Metal stamped components are made from various materials using numerous techniques, depending on the needs of the application.
What are the key metal stamping materials used?
Building owners, designers, architects, and general contractors tend to use metal instead of other materials for their projects due to its combined efficiency, durability, and minimal maintenance requirements. When selecting a material for metal stamping, it is crucial to consider the specific requirements and specifications of your project to ensure that all metal stamped components meet your needs.
Common metals used in metal stamping include:
This is the most popular and commonly used metal for construction and power tool applications. It’s highly sustainable as it consists of mostly recycled metals and is subsequently used to create many sustainable structures that are both cost-effective and durable.
If you’re in need of a versatile metal, copper is one of the best options. It’s useful for many applications because of its flexibility, durability, corrosion resistance, strength, and conductivity.
Aluminum has a high strength to weight ratio and features more corrosion resistance than other metals.
Similar to aluminum, titanium is both durable and lightweight. It’s frequently used for heating and cooling system construction due to its high corrosion resistance.
Brass offers a smooth surface, high corrosion resistance, high conductivity, and the ability to be easily soldered. It’s often used for metal components in electronics.
Both cast and wrought iron are often used for many applications in the construction industry because of their durability. While wrought iron is rolled toward the end of production, cast iron is melted, poured, and molded to form many parts in architectural applications.
What are the metal stamping applications?
In the construction industry, stamped metal parts need to be durable, reliable, and long-lasting. Due to demanding construction industry requirements and standards, parts also need to be resistant to rust and corrosion and capable of enduring extreme temperature fluctuations.
Applications for metal stamped parts within the construction and power tool industry include:
● Commercial and Private Buildings. Metal stamped parts are ideal when constructing commercial and private buildings due to their high level of precision.
● Equipment for Construction Projects. Metal stamping is used to create parts for power tools, industrial switches and connectors, panel fastening systems, and custom assemblies used in many construction projects.
● Appliances. Metal stamped parts can be found in a variety of home and commercial appliances, including dishwashers, washer/dryer units, HVAC systems, refrigerators, and more.
● Miscellaneous Construction Supplies. Metal stamped parts used in the construction industry can also include various types of brackets, housings, shields, clips, trusses, and lighting components.
What metal stamping techniques are used?
To produce metal parts, a metal stamping manufacturer uses certain techniques depending on the needs of the application. Generally, metal stamping entails feeding flat metal sheets through a stamping press. Using a tool and die surface, the press will form the metal into the completed shape based on the design.
A wide variety of components are created with metal stamping for the construction and power tool industry using several techniques, including:
Metal bending
Metal punching
Metal coining
Metal forming
Blanking
Flanging
Embossing
Curling
Drawing
Piercing
The specifications of each project and product design will dictate which technique or combination of techniques is best suited for your needs.
Metal Stamped Parts From American Industrial
Metal stamped parts offer a range of advantages, making them crucial for power tools and construction applications. At American Industrial, we specialize in manufacturing precision metal stampings for a variety of industries. Our dedication to providing high-quality parts and commitment to customer satisfaction ensures reliable metal stamped parts designed specifically for your needs. To learn more about our capabilities, or to get started on your custom metal stamping project, contact us or request a quote today.
Many manufacturing operations and machine shops consider excess metal scrap as part of the cost of doing business. As a result, many manufacturers fail to implement planning and process improvements that can minimize the amount of scrap they generate during production. While scrap can be recycled to recoup some financial loss, minimizing scrap generation has a much more positive impact on an operation’s bottom line.
Scrap rates can actually be used as a valuable data tool. Measuring the amount of scrap generated by a process in the form of discarded materials and reworks will help to benchmark the effectiveness of the production process. While some scrap is natural to any manufacturing operation, streamlining the processes that generate the most scrap will ultimately lower the overall cost of production. The goal should be to minimize both as early in the manufacturing process as possible.
Why is Reducing Your Metal Scrap Important?
Some degree of scrap and rework will inevitably occur in virtually all manufacturing processes, no matter the industry or product. The causes for scrap generation may include:
Order mistakes
Poor quality raw materials
Errors in communication
Implementation of design changes
Inefficient procedures
Machinery or operational issues
Failure to properly execute the approved design
Regardless of the reason, the ultimate result is wasted time and money. Inefficiencies that generate scrap and reworks are at the core of many continuous improvement efforts. In Lean manufacturing, the scrap production always represents an opportunity for scrap minimization. Focus areas like product documentation, process optimization, and communication of manufacturing and engineering changes can go a long way toward minimizing waste and increasing profits.
How To Avoid Scrap Generation
Though it may be impossible to completely eliminate scrap or rework in custom metal stamping or laser cutting, it can be minimized through continuous improvement efforts.
Reduce the Chances of Human Error
Unfortunately, humans are fallible. Fatigue, unclear communication, misunderstandings, and accidents can all occur anywhere in the supply chain. Any time you can automate material handling processes to minimize physical contact, you reduce the chances of human error.
More comprehensive training is another strategy for minimizing scrap generated by human error. Well-trained and experienced employees understand the procedures, software, and machinery, which translates to fewer mistakes. Fewer operator errors result in less waste.
Streamline Processes
To fully minimize scrap and waste, processes must be streamlined from end to end, beginning with the initial sales contact through the final delivery of the order. Mistakes or inefficiencies at any phase can result in unnecessary waste. Here are some examples of ways to address waste generation in varying processes:
Address inconsistencies and inefficiencies in sales and customer service practices to avoid unnecessary order changes that may impact production.
Implement simulation software to minimize the number of prototypes.
Use design practices like nesting or offal dies to reuse or reduce scrap.
Conduct a comprehensive inspection of the production line to replace worn or damaged tools.
Robust process control measures for identifying the causes of defects, ensuring adherence to design specifications, and measuring the consistency and stability of the output.
Have a Reuse or Recycle Plan in Place
Accepting that some scrap is unavoidable means having a plan for how to manage it. Adopting practices to stitch or fasten scrap together for reuse is one way to recycle internally before defaulting to external recycling programs.
Use Efficient Product Design
Planning for the most efficient use of material during the design phase is a strategy that cuts initial material costs and reduces the amount of scrap generation. Reconfiguring the layout can minimize the amount of raw material needed. Some examples of material content reduction include:
Orienting the pieces closer together
Fitting pieces together like a puzzle rather than in strips
Using the same sheet layout for similar parts with different dimensions
Choosing an Optimal Metal Stamper with AIC
At American Industrial Company (AIC), our customers depend on us for a full range manufacturing services, including comprehensive metal stamping and precision laser cutting. Our metal fabrication and precision laser cutting services incorporate the latest technology and techniques, such as CNC laser cutting and melt and blow.
Our metal stamping machines produce a variety of hand and power tools for a wide range of applications and industries, including automotive, aerospace, construction, mining, and many more. We offer a full range manufacturing, custom laser cutting, and metal stamping services from our ISO 9001:2015-certified facility, and our strict dedication to quality assurance ensures that our customers always receive the highest quality products.
At American Industrial Company, we implement the latest technology and Lean manufacturing procedures to eliminate avoidable waste. In optimizing our production techniques to reduce waste, we provide higher quality and more cost-effective services thanks to our reduced material and rework costs. To see how AIC can help with your project, please contact us today
The optimal metal finishing chosen for an application can significantly influence the performance and success of a project. When selecting the finish for a part or product, it is important to keep in mind what best suits the specific use case. The following blog post provides an overview of the different finishes available, including their properties and typical uses, to facilitate proper finish selection for industrial applications.
No. 1 Finish: Furnace Components
Achieving a No. 1 Finish involves hot rolling stainless steel—i.e., heating and then rolling it. Once the steel alloy has been hot rolled, it is annealed to produce a single, uniform microstructure. This process helps the material to meet mechanical property requirements set out by project designers and engineers.
Typical applications of No. 1 Finish include turbine and furnace components, such as casings, heat exchangers, linings, stacks, and supports.
No. 2B Finish: General Purpose Steel
A No. 2B Finish is typically applied on general-purpose steel to create an aesthetically appealing reflective surface that resembles a cloudy mirror. This finish finds application in a wide range of products, including the following:
Industrial equipment, such as for the baking, chemical, paper, pharmaceutical, plumbing, refrigeration, and sewage industries
Commercial equipment, such as appliances, flatware, wheel covers, etc.
Bright annealed BA/2BA finishes provide a part or product surface similar to a highly polished mirror without the cost associated with producing fully mirrored and rolled surfaces. The low-cost of these finishes makes them suitable for use in mass production operations in the commercial sector. Some examples of products that typically use these finishes are:
No. 3 Finish: High-End Commercial or Lab Application
No. 3 finishes often find application in high-end commercial or laboratory operations. This finish is moderately reflective, easy to keep clean, and aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, it’s simple to polish the finish mechanically and, if desired, gradually finer abrasives may be used during the process to create surface patterns that mimic the appearance of mechanical abrasion. Some products commonly finished in this manner include:
Brewing equipment
Scientific lab tools
Kitchen appliances
Food processing systems
American Industrial: Your Metal Finishing Partner
At American Industrial Company (AIC), we have almost three decades of experience serving as a quality manufacturer. We specialize in providing complete turnkey manufacturing solutions, including prototype design, precision metal stamping, and optimal metal finishing. By partnering with us for their metal part needs, customers benefit from our:
Centralized facility
Streamlined operations
Faster turnaround
Competitive prices
Superior customer service
Quality products
For additional information on our finishing or other manufacturing capabilities, contact us today. One of our friendly and knowledgeable team members will be happy to speak with you about your upcoming project.
Laser cutting is one of the most commonly used processes in metal fabrication as it offers many advantages over traditional techniques. Laser cutting is a versatile and reliable process that creates precise, flawless parts while keeping lead times short. AIC provides high quality laser cutting services for sheet metal and other materials to meet our customers’ metal stamping and forming needs.
What is Laser Cutting?
Laser cutting is a thermal-based procedure that utilizes a high-powered laser beam to direct heat and cut through metal with extremely tight tolerances using computer numerical control (CNC). As the guided laser moves across the surface, it vaporizes, melts, or burns material away and separates the workpiece from the excess sheet metal to create metal components and parts.
The focus of the laser allows for a smaller heat-affected area and less thermal warping than traditional methods, making it more accurate and efficient. This process also enables very high surface quality, so finishing processes are rarely needed.
Laser cutting can be performed on a variety of materials, including:
Stainless steel
Mild steel
Aluminum
What are the benefits of Laser Cutting?
Laser cutting offers many benefits over traditional cutting methods, including:
Laser cutting has tight tolerances of +/-0.1 mm, which allows for a high level of precision without the need for after-treatment.
Laser cutting can perform separate cuts without exchanging tools, making it suitable for cutting different shapes and intricate designs within the same material thickness.
Tight tolerances enable the production of highly uniform end pieces, which is extremely ideal for large volume orders.
Cost-Effectiveness. Laser cutting significantly reduces the need for finishing processes to correct defects such as thermal warping and burrs. This reduces the need for additional tooling and processes that can slow down production and increase costs.
Laser cutting is a non-contact process, reducing the risk for accidents and enhancing safety.
Laser cutting is a much faster process when compared to traditional cutting methods, making it especially suitable for complex cuts.
Why should you choose American Industrial Company?
AIC has been in the metal stamping and forming industry for over thirty years. Our broad range of capabilities and highly skilled team can bring life to any project, from design through full-scale production.
To accommodate all laser cutting needs, AIC uses the VyTek FiberCAB 44 laser cutting system. This 3,000-watt laser is one of the most advanced machines of its kind and brings speed, efficiency, and precision to all metal cuts. Our VyTek FiberCAB 44 is accurate enough to cleanly remove stamped parts from the sheet metal with no need for secondary tooling processes like deburring.
Due to the versatility and power of our laser cutting machines, our services are applicable across diverse industries, including:
Appliance
Hardware
Automotive
Aerospace
Construction
AIC’s preferred laser cutting method is the melt and blow method. With this method, a high-pressure gas jet is directed through a nozzle to blast small molten particles away from the workpiece. This method has lower power requirements than other forms of laser cutting and produces a fine kerf without thermal warping or burrs.
Contact American Industrial Company About our Laser Cutting Services
AIC specializes in providing high quality laser cutting services for our customers across a range of industries. Whether you are looking to make metal components that require intricate cuts, bolster production volume, or tighten tolerances, we believe that our precision laser cutting services can bring you real value at a great cost. To learn more about our services, please contact us today.
Metal stamping has been on the rise for years as demand for intricate metal components continues to increase in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, defense, and personal electronics. In 2019, the market value was $220 billion and from 2020 to 2027, the industry expects a CAGR of 2.8 percent.
Meeting the growing metal forming demand will require innovation in both processes and materials, and a recent Harbour IQ Pulse Study noted that too many manufacturers aren’t prepared for that type of growth. To meet these demands, manufacturers need to expand their expertise in their processes and production of lightweight sheet materials, metal additives, and more.
The time for innovation is now. Manufacturing in the United States is booming, partly because of an ongoing reshoring initiative that is bringing more jobs back to the country. The recent setback caused by COVID-19 highlighted some of the major problems associated with offshore manufacturing, and it has inspired more companies to bring their operations back to the U.S.
What Trends are Driving Metal Stamping in 2020?
The metal stamping industry has seen significant growth as industries such as electronics, aerospace, and automotive continue to expand and seek strong, durable, intricate, lightweight components.
Consumer Electronics.In 2019 alone, more than 1.5 billion smartphones were sold around the world, each of which requires a corrosion resistant, highly detailed metal frame with tight tolerances and a smooth finish, as well as an antenna, chassis, camera lens holder, and more. Other equipment, from headphones to game controllers and speakers also need metal formed parts, solidifying the consumer electronics industry’s position as a key driver for the metal stamping industry.
Aerospace and Defense.From nuts and bolts to assemblies, combat equipment, gauges, and more, the demand for metal stamping in this sector is estimated to be worth $33.6 billion by 2027. Older airplanes are being retired to make room for quiet, fuel-efficient aircraft with parts that can be replaced easily and precisely. Though the recent shutdown heavily impacted the aerospace industry and led to a decreased demand for aircraft, we expect this slow down to be temporary.
The automotive industry is constantly looking to lower manufacturing costs and produce the most lightweight, fuel efficient vehicles possible. Sheet metal is used increasingly for interior and exterior structural components, transmission components, and automobile chassis with the goal of greater automobile efficiency.
Should You Consider Reshoring?
Reshoring your manufacturing can help you grow your company because you keep more of the production process under your control, even during the most challenging times. Many companies have realized the benefits of sourcing materials and manufacturing in the United States. Large, respected organizations like General Electric, Apple, Ford, and Whirlpool have reshored because it offers the following advantages:
Lower Transportation Costs. Eliminating the need to cross the ocean reduces the cost of raw materials and finished products. These savings can be put toward more innovation or a price
reduction for your customers.
Quicker Lead Times. When everything is traveling over shorter distances, you reduce the risk of delays along the way, shortening your production runs by weeks.
Better Quality Control. Manufacturing in the U.S. means your operation will follow this country’s standards for safety and quality. Because the factory is closer to your headquarters, you can keep a better watch over the processes and protocols in your facility.
Supports Your Community. American companies pay American taxes, and that contributes to the community you’re proud to serve—a community that is proud to have you in it.
Why Should You Choose American Industrial Company?
American Industrial Company is a proud American metal stamper and produces all of our precision products in Gurnee, Illinois. When you partner with us for your metal components, you benefit from the time and cost savings associated with onshore manufacturing. For almost four decades, we’ve offered precision metal stamping to a variety of industries while supporting the domestic economy, protecting our employees, and upholding the highest standards for quality and safety. The American ingenuity that has brought us this far will take us into the future, and we’re prepared to meet the expected metal stamping demand.
American Industrial Company provides custom turnkey solutions, and we can help you with everything from design to delivery of the final product. Contact us for all your precision metal stamping needs.
When metal is heated above its recrystallization temperature, it becomes malleable. It can then be rolled and formed into the desired shape. However, the high temperatures required for heating mean that the product must also be cooled at room temperature to prevent stress fractures, resulting in shrinkage and a dry, scaly finish. Unfortunately, the variations in shape, size, and finish of hot roll-formed metal can’t be accurately predicted.
Electronics
reduction for your customers.