Metal Processing Technology
Metal processing technology is the process of forming and manipulating a material that is composed primarily of metal in order to produce an item. Metal processing has a long history and dates back to the ancient Egyptians who used the method to create jewelry. In modern times, metal processing is used in a variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, energy, and electronics. Metal processing techniques can range from subtractive techniques, such as machining and grinding, to additive and joining techniques including welding, brazing, and soldering.
Subtractive techniques are used to remove material from a solid piece of metal to create a desired shape or finish. Machining is a subtractive process where a cutting tool is used to remove material from a solid block of metal. This process produces a precise and accurate shape. Grinding is another type of subtractive process, which uses abrasives to wear away workpieces gradually until the desired shape is achieved. Both techniques are used in a variety of industries, from automotive to electronics manufacturing.
Additive and joining techniques involve forming two pieces of metal and joining them together in order to create a cohesive piece. Welding is a widely used joining process where heat is used to join two pieces of metal together. Brazing is a similar process whereby filler metal is used to join a base metal. This process has a low melting point and is often used when welding is not possible. Soldering is another joining process where a small amount of solder is used to join two pieces of metal.
Metal processing technology is used in many industries, from automotive to electronics and aerospace. Subtractive processes are used to create specific shapes and finishes while additive and joining processes are used to join together two pieces of material. The process has been used throughout history and is still used today to create parts for a variety of applications.
