Metal spinning

Hastelloy.[2] The diameter and depth of formed parts are

limited only by the size of the equipment available.

1 Process
The spinning process is fairly simple. A formed block is
mounted in the drive section of a lathe. A pre-sized metal
disk is then clamped against the block by a pressure pad,
which is attached to the tailstock. The block and workpiece are then rotated together at high speeds. A localized
force is then applied to the workpiece to cause it to ow
over the block. The force is usually applied via various
levered tools. Simple workpieces are just removed from
the block, but more complex shapes may require a multipiece block. Extremely complex shapes can be spun over
ice forms, which then melt away after spinning. Because
the nal diameter of the workpiece is always less than the
starting diameter, the workpiece must thicken, elongate
radially, or buckle circumferentially.[1]
A more involved process, known as reducing or necking,
allows a spun workpiece to include reentrant geometries.
If surface nish and form are not critical, then the workpiece is spun on air"; no mandrel is used. If the nish or
form are critical then an eccentrically mounted mandrel
is used.[3]

A brass vase spun by hand. Mounted to the lathe spindle is the

mandrel for the body of the vase; a shell sits on the T rest. The
foreground shows the mandrel for the base. Behind the nished
vase are the spinning tools used to shape the metal.

Hot spinning involves spinning a piece of metal on a

lathe while high heat from a torch is applied to the workpiece. Once heated, the metal is then shaped as the tool
Metal spinning, also known as spin forming or on the lathe presses against the heated surface forcing it
spinning or metal turning most commonly, is a to distort as it spins. Parts can then be shaped or necked
metalworking process by which a disc or tube of metal down to a smaller diameter with little force exerted, prois rotated at high speed and formed into an axially sym- viding a seamless shoulder.
metric part.[1] Spinning can be performed by hand or by
a CNC lathe.
Metal spinning does not involve removal of material, as in 1.1 Tools
conventional wood or metal turning, but forming (mouldThe basic hand metal spinning tool is called a spoon,
ing) of sheet material over an existing shape.
Metal spinning ranges from an artisans specialty to the though many other tools (be they commercially produced,
most advantageous way to form round metal parts for ad hoc, or improvised) can be used to eect varied recommercial applications. Artisans use the process to pro- sults. Spinning tools can be made of hardened steel for
duce architectural detail, specialty lighting, decorative using with aluminium or solid brass for spinning stainless
household goods and urns. Commercial applications in- steel or mild steel.
clude rocket nose cones, cookware, gas cylinders, brass
instrument bells, and public waste receptacles. Virtually any ductile metal may be formed, from aluminum
or stainless steel, to high-strength, high-temperature alloys including INX, Inconel, Grade 50 / Corten, and

Some metal spinning tools are allowed to spin on bearings during the forming process. This reduces friction
and heating of the tool, extending tool life and improving surface nish. Rotating tools may also be coated with
thin lm of ceramic to prolong tool life. Rotating tools
1

are commonly used during CNC metal spinning opera- 3.1

tions.

Commercially, rollers mounted on the end of levers are

generally used to form the material down to the mandrel
in both hand spinning and CNC metal spinning. Rollers
vary in diameter and thickness depending the intended

use. The wider the roller the smoother the surface of the

spinning; the thinner rollers can be used to form smaller

radii.

Cutting of the metal is done by hand held cutters, often

foot long hollow bars with tool steel shaped/sharpened

les attached. In CNC applications, carbide or tool steel
cut-o tools are used.
The mandrel does not incur excessive forces, as found in
other metalworking processes, so it can be made from
wood, plastic, or ice. For hard materials or high volume
use, the mandrel is usually made of metal.[1]

Advantages & disadvantages

Several operations can be performed in one set-up. Work

pieces may have re-entrant proles and the prole in relation to the center line virtually unrestricted.
Forming parameters and part geometry can be altered
quickly, at less cost than other metal forming techniques.
Tooling and production costs are also comparatively low.
Spin forming, often done by hand, is easily automated and
an eective production method for prototypes as well as
high quantity production runs.[1]
Other methods of forming round metal parts include
hydroforming, stamping, forging and casting. These
other methods generally have a higher xed cost, but a
lower variable cost than metal spinning. As machinery
for commercial applications has improved, parts are being spun with thicker materials in excess of 1in (25mm)
thick steel. Conventional spinning also wastes a considerably smaller amount of material than other methods.
Objects can be built using one piece of material to produce parts without seams. Without seams, a part can
withstand higher internal or external pressure exerted on
it. For example: scuba tanks and CO2 cartridges.
One disadvantage of metal spinning is that if a crack
forms or the object is dented, it must be scrapped. Repairing the object is not cost-eective.

See also
Curling (metalworking)
Shear spinning

REFERENCES

Bibliography
Degarmo, E. Paul; Black, J T.; Kohser, Ronald A.
(2003), Materials and Processes in Manufacturing
(9th ed.), Wiley, ISBN 0-471-65653-4.
Metal Spinning machines by DENN
Metal Spinning Manufacturing
Metal Spinning Applications
Metal Spinning Examples

Metal Spinning History

4 References
[1] Degarmo, p. 435.
[2] Special Alloy Spinning - High Strength Steel Spinning |
Wenzel Metal Spinning. www.wenzelmetalspinning.com.
Retrieved 2016-08-02.
[3] Palten, Hans; Palten, Dirk (September 2002), Metal Spinning: From Ancient Art to High-Tech Industry, retrieved
2008-11-09.

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