Powder coating is a dry coating process that creates a high-quality finish for various metal industrial equipment and products. Applied as a dry powder through an electrostatic process and then cured with heat. It delivers a high-quality finish that can improve the look and functionality of your metal projects. However, it’s not as simple as it seems. In more depth, let’s go over what it is used for, how this process is done, and why you might want to choose powder coating over paint.
What is Powder Coating Used For?
Powder coating is primarily used to coat different metals, such as those found in household appliances, automobiles, street signs, and other particular metal parts. The result is a smooth, and appealing hard finish that is more durable than traditional paint. Metal fabricators have been using powder coating since the 1940s to make steel parts resistant to heat and cold damage as well as corrosion. Have you ever noticed a steel bench or old balustrade that still looks quite new despite years of use? It’s almost certainly been powder coated.
The Process of Powder Coating
Now the real question, how is it done? This process involves the application of electrostatically charged particles onto the workpiece surface. With most systems, a feeder unit sends the coating to an electrostatic gun, which then emits it as a diffused cloud. The particles, charged by a low-amperage power unit, seek out and adhere to the surface of the metal object. Once the coating has been applied, the workpiece is cured in a specially designed oven. The end result, a strong and durable protective layer.
Generally, powder coatings are cured at about 400 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. These parameters may very depending on the type of coating. It is important to note that thorough surface preparation is essential to successful results. This includes removing grease, dirt, and other materials to support coating adhesion. Pretreatments with chemical compounds can also enhance the coating’s durability and corrosion resistance.
The Advantages & Disadvantages
Painting is a traditional method that has several limitations, such as dripping and difficulty controlling thickness. Powder coating is a more advanced technique that delivers a higher-quality appearance while improving the durability. It’s one of the more environmentally friendly options compared to other finishes. Essentially, it’s more resistant to chipping, scratches and fading. It is also less expensive in the long run than alternatives like plating and conventional painting because it uses less equipment, takes less time to apply, and consumers fewer raw materials. However, there are some disadvantages to consider such as:
It tends to break down under UV ray exposure
It’s difficult to mend when damaged
There is less control in terms of speed and amount
Colour change difficulties
It requires a baking process
Contact VeriForm Inc. For More Information
At VeriForm, we are your one-stop shop for metal fabrication. By using cutting-edge technology and our team’s expertise, we can provide a wide variety of capabilities and services including bending, rolling, welding and more. Plus we have our in-house engineers that can help you optimize your plans and designs. To learn more about our services, please give us a call at 519-653-6000 or contact us through our site if you want the job done right, the first time!
Steel is an iron-carbon alloy that’s durable, strong and often corrosion-resistant. There are currently over 3500 different steel grades, all of them broadly categorized into a handful of types. One of them being carbon steel. It is used regularly for multiple metal fabricating operations. If you’re interested in finding out what it is, why it’s used and what it’s used for, continue reading. This article will discuss the use, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of using this type of steel.
What Is Carbon Steel & How Is It Used?
Consisting of only iron, carbon and trace amounts of other alloy elements, this metal is the purest form of steel that has a dull, matte appearance. Unlike stainless steel, this type is susceptible to rust, but it’s often less expensive and has different properties based on its carbon content.
Low Carbon
Low carbon content steel has about 0.30% carbon content, which allows it to be more malleable under pressure. It is widely used for panelling and fabrication because heat treatments don’t affect it. Its flat-rolled strips and sheets are a staple of the automotive and shipbuilding industry, although low carbon steel is also used in household appliances and certain types of wire.
Medium Carbon
The carbon content in this metal is around 0.60%, which reduces its flexibility but increases its strength. Easy to machine, it appears frequently in bridges and buildings, making it a building industry mainstay. It is also used in railway components like axles, shafts, gears and tracks, as well we household appliances like washing machines and fridges.
High Carbon
Steel with 1.50 to 2% carbon is the strongest. It is used to make blades, cutting tools, dies, punches, springs and wires because of its superior tensile strength. Steel with the highest carbon levels, which is also referred to as cast iron, appears in extremely hard components like large machine parts, cutting tools, and industrial castings.
The Advantages & Disadvantages Of Carbon Steel
This type of steel has several advantages including increased strength and durability that makes it less likely to break under pressure compared to other steel. This makes the steel particularly suitable for applications requiring strength. Examples of this include several centuries ago, Japanese blacksmiths produced swords using high-carbon steel called tamahagane steel. Today, metal fabricators use it in steel parts, automotive components, tools, construction materials and much more.
There are, however, some disadvantages to choosing this type of steel over traditional steel. Since carbon steel is so strong, it doesn’t bend or mold into different shapes easily, limiting its applications. Additionally, it is also more prone to rust and corrosion compared to other types of steel. It would not be a suitable metal for products that will be continuously exposed to external conditions that cause these reactions.
Want to Learn More About Different Types of Steel? Contact VeriForm
VeriForm Inc. is a net-zero metal fabrication company that’s known as the greenest fabricating company in North America! At VeriForm, many skilled industry professionals, and engineers are available to discuss your next metal fabrication project. If you’re struggling to determine which type of metal is suitable for your project, please don’t hesitate to contact us. VeriForm offers a multitude of services including parts fabrication, metal bending, rolling and much more. Want your metal fabrication done right? Contact VeriForm today!
When it comes to cutting the metal into specific shapes and sizes, there are many methods and processes to use. Back in the day, people struggled with cutting metal but nowadays, different metal cutting methods and tools are widely available. Choosing the right one to use for your metal fabrication process is the real question. It widely depends on the shape, size, and types of metal you’ll be using for your metal fabrication project. One of the most efficient ways to cut metal is using plasma. Today, we’ll discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of plasma cutting so you can decide whether it’s the right process for you.
Common Metal Cutting Processes
Before you place your bets on plasma cutting, let’s take a look at other common metal cutting processes.
Turning:
This method involves spinning the sharp point of a cutting tool against a metal surface until its top layer is removed based on discretion.
Welding:
As for welding, the metal surface comes in contact with a high heat source that raises its temperature and weakens the metal until it breaks along a predetermined line or point.
Drilling:
This metal fabrication process works just like a drill and a screw. It uses rotation while applying pressure to bore into the metal. It is the best for cutting holes into metal.
Laser Cutting:
An efficient method that uses a concentrated beam of light and heat directed at a single point to cut into metal with precision and accuracy.
What Is Plasma Cutting & How Does It Work?
Now that we’ve established other common cutting methods, we can move on to plasma cutting. Plasma cutting can be described as the use of ionized gas to melt and remove material from the cut. However, it’s not as simple as that. So, how does it work? Plasma cutters function by sending a pressurized gas, like nitrogen, oxygen and argon through a small nozzle. The temperature of this gas is at least 20,000°C. In the center of this contraption, there is a negatively charged electrode. When power is applied and the channel touches the metal, that connection creates a circuit. A powerful spark is generated and that’s how it cuts metal.
The Advantages of Plasma Cutting
Versatility – Plasma cutting can be used to cut a variety of conductive material including steel, copper and iron. It can also cut different materials that have been stacked on top of one another which is a function that isn’t available for some of the other cutting methods.
Efficiency – If you compare the cutting speed of a plasma cutter to other cutting tools, the plasma cutter will definitely win. A plasma cutter is about 1/4 faster than any other cutting tool.
Cost Efficient – Since plasma can cut a lot faster without wasting as much material, that means the fabricator can get the job done quicker. This means more productivity along with less chances of injury bringing the cost for the end user down.
Safety – The gas used in plasma cutting is non-explosive or flammable making it the safer option compared to some of the other cutting processes.
The Disadvantages of Plasma Cutting
Limited – The cuts are more shallow because the depth is limited. That means it won’t cut thick or dense material as easily.
Fumes – This process does tend to generate excessive fumes. However, in a well-ventilated workshop, this shouldn’t be an issue for the fabricators.
Light exposure – When a plasma cutter is in action, it creates bright flashes which can affect the eyes unless you have the proper safety wear and guidance.
Plasma Cutting Services — Call VeriForm
Although plasma cutting does have its downside, the benefits definitely out weigh them. However, even though that’s the case, it does depend on the material you intend to work with. Your best bet is to contact a professional metal fabrication expert like VeriForm. VeriForm has many years of expertise when it comes to a variety of fabrication processes. Not only are they efficient, they get the job done right the first time. If you need professional consultation about your next metal fabrication project, contact VeriForm today.
When metal goes through machining operations like grinding, milling, or drilling, it can leave surface imperfections called burrs. Unless they’re cleared away, they can cause problems like decreased fracture resistance, shorter fatigue life, and improper fastener seeing. Deburring is the process of cleaning up these small ridges and protrusions so that the final product functions as intended. While there are a variety of deburring tools available to deliver premium-quality, burr-free finishes, the three types mentioned in this article are the most popular for their ease of use and excellent results.
Manual Deburring Tools
According to Engineering 360, manual deburring tools are the most commonly used option. These hand-held devices consist of a tool and deburring blade. Depending on which brand you buy, you may be able to change the blades when they wear down or switch applications. They also have rotating blades that work constantly while deburring and a telescopic handle to support applications with a longer reach.
Advantage & Disadvantages
The biggest advantage to using manual deburring tools is that they’re cost-effective, flexible and easy to customize. You can check your work as you go along and improve as necessary. The biggest downside is that manual deburring takes longer, so it’s less suitable for high-volume work.
Mechanical Deburring Tools
With mechanical deburring tools, you grind off the burr or roll the edges onto itself and flatten it so it doesn’t protrude. Unlike manual deburring, which involves a hand tool, you use a specially designed machine to get the job done.
Advantages & Disadvantages
The advantage of this method is that it offers high-quality finishes in a fraction of the time it takes to deburr manually. This is why mechanical deburring tools are a fixture in most machining operations. Eliminating the need for hand sanding and grinding increases productivity and improves the finished results. On the other hand, mechanical deburring equipment takes up more space, and definitely more costly compared to manual deburring.
Electrochemical Deburring Tools
Many fabricators use electrochemical machining (ECM) for deburring when doing precision work or dealing with difficult materials and hard-to-reach spots. Electrochemical energy is conducted through the burrs using a salt or glycol solution, eliminating them without destroying the surrounding metal. The deburring equipment is a cathode that uses a DC current and the above-mentioned electrolyte fluid to create an anodic reaction that removes burrs quickly and precisely.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Electrochemical deburring yields an excellent surface finish and highly accurate results. The workpieces experience no thermal stresses and the process itself is efficient, which increases plant productivity. The main disadvantages are the skill required and the high initial cost of the equipment. However, the benefits outweigh these concerns.
Metal Deburring Specialists For Your Machining Needs
At VeriForm, we have decades of experience working with a wide range of metal fabricators. The team knows which deburring tools and technology are the best for a given application. Their expertise is one of the many reasons why we’ve become a trusted provider of fabrication services across Ontario. Other capabilities include welding, bending, rolling and more. To learn more about machining capabilities and how we can contribute to your success, contact VeriForm today or make a call at 519-653-6000.
Sandblasting is an industrial process that is also referred to as abrasive blasting. The sandblasting process dates back to 1870 when Benjamin Chew Tilghman first took out a patent for this newly invented industrial finishing process. Tilghman had taken note of the effect on windows caused by wind-blown sand in the desert. This eventually gave him the idea to refine the process of sandblasting for various industrial applications. In 1877, Tilghman took out a second patent for sharpening industrial files uniquely marketed as “liquid grindstone”. Initially, he has found the process particularly well-suited for sharpening files, cleaning metal surfaces such as boilers, and finishing wooden grain surfaces. Since that time, the sandblasting service has been used worldwide for various industrial applications.
How Are Sandblasting Services Performed?
Sandblasting is performed by forcibly expelling a high-pressure stream of abrasive material called a media against a solid surface. The person conducting the sandblasting service must wear a variety of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect their eyes, hands, and skin from these high-velocity particles. Typically, compressed air is used in the sandblasting process.
However, some sandblasting machines use a centrifugal wheel to project the media at the target surface. The equipment used for sandblasting includes a machine chamber where the media and compressed air are mixed. The air and particle mixture are then forced into a hose and out through a hand-held nozzle to direct the spray of particles at the work surface. Sandblasting equipment is made from tough and durable materials, such as boron carbide since it must resist the abrasive wear and tear of the process.
Sandblasting Variations
Variations of the sandblasting process may use different media, some of which are highly abrasive while others are less abrasive. For instance, sand or metal shots are used as the most abrasive media types, while less abrasive variants of the process might use glass beads, plastic stock (PMB), corncobs, or even walnut shells. Lastly, some blasting processes are barely abrasive, including soda blasting which uses baking soda and dry-ice blasting.
What Are The Benefits Of Sandblasting?
Like many other industrial processes, sandblasting can be used for various industrial applications. Sandblasting is often used to polish and smooth a rough surface, for starters. But you can also use it to rough up a smooth surface, which is usually done to prepare the surface for painting. Alternatively, sandblasting can be used to re-shape a surface, or you can use it to clean and remove particle contaminants from a surface.
Contact VeriForm Inc For Sandblasting Service
If you’re looking for metal fabrication services including sandblasting, don’t hesitate to consider VeriForm today. VeriForm has been in business for at least 25 years. They have great expertise and top-notch equipment to perform any metal fabrication capabilities. Contact VeriForm today to receive a quote on your next project. No matter how big or small, VeriForm will get the job done right the first time.
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