Metal spinning
Centrifugal forming of ductile metals
Metal spinning, also known as centrifugal forming or metal turning, is a process in which a metal tube or disc (called a blank) is rotated at high speed to form a hollow, rotationally symmetrical, three-dimensional part, without joints. Unlike conventional turning, the part is not machined, so no material is removed.
The advantages of spinning
High mechanical strength
Spinning is a plastic deformation process: the material is moved, not removed. The result is parts with no significant loss of material, with good mechanical properties and a good surface finish. The absence of welds gives spun parts high resistance to internal and external pressures. Spinned parts are therefore often lighter than parts produced by other methods. As spinning does not require expensive moulds, this technique is sometimes a good substitute for stamping.
Centrifugal forming applications
Aeronautics industry
CGR can spin metal parts with diameters ranging from 3 to 1,300 mm, and thicknesses from 0.5 to 6 mm. Many ductile metals can be spun, including steel, stainless steel, aluminium, titanium and alloys. Metal spinning is particularly well suited to the manufacture of high-strength parts in small and medium production runs. This process is very popular in the aerospace and defence industries for the manufacture of parts such as nose cones, cowls, fairing parts, reactor cones, etc.
