Metal Spinning Basics

The metal spinning process begins with a flat disk or tube of metal spun at a high speed on a lathe. A spinning tool applies localized pressure that pushes the metal to form over a mold. This process transforms the flat sheet of metal into a round symmetrical part. Metal can be formed into cylinders, cones, hemispheres, and many other circular shapes. Metal spinning can be performed either by hand or using a computer numerical control (CNC) lathe. 

Spun silver globlet with flat disk

Finished spun silver goblet

 Metal spinning is used to reduce the overall cost of a limited number of parts when tooling and engineering costs of other methods re not justified for the quantity, shape, or size of the part. Spinning also has considerably less waste than other methods of metal forming.

With better technology and hydraulic spinners, harder and thicker metals can be spun cost-efficiently. 

 Metals that Century Metal Spinning works with include: aluminum and alloys, steel, copper, brass, bronze, gold, hastelloy, Inconel, nickel, pewter, silver, stainless steel, titanium, and niobium.

Copper Sink

Many industries rely on metal spinning to create parts. Some of these include aerospace, commercial manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, energy and electronics, defense and military, medical, science and research, and communications. Some of the commercial uses for metal spinning include artwork and sculpture, specialty lighting, decorative household goods and urns.

For more information on the metal spinning process and its advantages go to Century Metal Spinning's website.

*Photos of Spun Silver goblet courtesy of Amy Reichert. http://judaica.amyreichertdesign.com/