For much of human history the manufacturing of metal was limited to simple human brawn. A metal worker would hit, fold, or mold metal into submission, sometimes with the application of heat to make the material more malleable. Modern metal fabrication techniques allow for a huge variety of options. Metal fabricators are capable of creating virtually any shape or size of component. Automation also allows for these pieces to be mass produced quickly and efficiently.

Many of these technologies continue to expand through innovation. Developments such as computer-aided design, computer-numerical control, and more removes much of human error from the equation of manufacturing. This allows for unparalleled precision in the manufacturing process.

Modern Metal Manufacturing Techniques

It is hard to contain all modern metal manufacturing techniques in just one blog entry, but at IMH Products were have integrated the following techniques into our already wide array of production capabilities:

Laser Cutting – Metal fabricators no longer have to spend long hours cutting metal with analog means. This type of cutting is accurate within a nanometer, allowing for incredible precision. Laser cutting also is quick and efficient thanks to its conjunction with computer-aided design. Parts can be cut in mere seconds now, and thanks to computer programing each part cut from a single sheet of metal is exactly the same.

IMH Products uses nine different lasers, seven of which are high-powered variable beam lasers from top level providers such as Trumpf, Amada, and Cincinnati. We are able to use these lasers on aluminum, brass, copper, mild steel, stainless steel, and more.

Pressing, Forming, and Stamping – Across its three manufacturing plants IMH Products employs more than three dozen press brakes and stamping presses. Some of these press brakes supply up to 1,000 tons of pressure, giving us the capability to work with varying metal thicknesses to form accurate components.

 There are many characteristics that affect pressing, forming, and stamping, including:

  • The tensile strength of materials
  • Strength of toolings
  • Back gauge distance
  • Speed
  • Bending radius
  • Tonnage

The variety of presses that IMH uses, combined with our on-site design capabilities and tool & die operators, have only expanded the markets that IMH supplies.

Robotic Welding – You cannot form every metal component from a single piece of metal. Welding is a critical aspect of production that joins several pieces together into a single component. IMH Products employs three robotic welding cells, a UR Cobot welding cell, and several manual welding stations. These stations provide quality and durable welds for each of our products. Robotic welding produces higher quality spot welds that are accurate every time, something that manual welding cannot deliver no matter the skill of the welder.

CNC Turning & Machining – CNC Machining often involve turning, milling, machining, and more to provide a final, finished product. IMH’s CNC milling machinery accommodates a large range of requests—everything from prototyping to fabricating unique components. In addition, turning manufactures cylindrical parts and it can produce highly specific parts as well as basic prototypes. A leading provider of CNC solutions, we partner with Mazak, as well as Citizen, Haas Laser Technologies, Inc., and Okuma, to meet all of our customers’ CNC machining needs.

Contact IMH Products For Our Modern Metal Manufacturing Expertise

Interested in our modern metal manufacturing techniques and expertise can help with your project? Contact us today at sales@imh.com.