Category: Blog

Metal finishing is an essential process for producing strong, high-quality metallic products. This is especially true for specialized metal parts that require specific chemical, electrical, or tarnish resistances. There are also many types of metal finishes, which can impact material hardness, workflow speeds, production costs, and more.

Here are four common types of metal finishes:

1. Directional Metal Finishes

Directional metal finishes (also known as brushed or architectural finishes) are characterized by fine and uniform polishing grit lines along the length of the workpiece. This glossy, high-sheen finish provides a distinct and attractive aesthetic—while removing any edges and surface flaws. Directional finishes are typically used for stainless steel products, particularly in architectural, transportation, and home applications.

Directional metal finishes can be achieved by polishing metal workpieces with a 120-180 grit belt—then softening the finish with an 80-120 grit abrasive belt or pad.  Amtex Precision’s automated and hand-held finishing machines are specific to the making this type of finish.

2. Non-Directional Metal Finishes

Non-directional metal finishes are characterized by a consistent, non-directional pattern across the workpiece. These finishes are typically used to polish metal parts in preparation for additional surface treatment, such as paint. Because non-directional finishes lack a distinguished pattern, they’re also useful for concealing scratches and blemishes across high-contact areas.

Non-directional metal finishes are often created using orbital sanders with fine, medium, or coarse-grade sanding discs.  Amtex Precision’s hand-held finishing machines are specific to the making this type of finish.

3. Mill Finishes

Mill finishes (also known as matte finishes) are characterized by a smooth, dull surface texture. These are some of the least expensive finishing options and are often applied when a part’s aesthetic appearance is unimportant. Mill finishes can also be applied to smooth a part in preparation for further finishing or processing—and are commonly used across stainless steel products, including components for refrigeration, sewage, and dry cleaning equipment.

Amtex Precision’s metal vendors play a key role in sourcing parts with this finish requirement.

4. Mirror-Polish Finishes

Mirror-polish finishes are characterized by a highly polished and reflective “mirror-like” look. This finish is aesthetically pleasing and removes any crevices or imperfections that may contain harmful particles—enhancing the metal’s resistance to corrosive damage. The consistency, strength, and blemish-free look of mirror-polish finishes make them popular across various markets and metalworking applications.

Amtex Precision’s metal vendors play a key role in sourcing parts with this finish requirement.  All mirror finish metal is received with a protective plastic layer.  That layer is kept on the metal during processing to ensure it is not damaged or blemished.

Searching for High-Quality Metal Fabrication? 

If you’re looking for metal fabrication experts to help you engineer and produce precision parts for your needs, contact the team at Amtex Precision Fabrication at 281-489-7042 today!

The first step of a precision sheet metal part is cutting, which generally is either laser cutting or a punching.
The part itself will generally dictate which process is more ideal and most efficient. Factors include: material thickness, number and size of holes, contours, and any special features or formed areas.

 

Laser Cutting

Laser cutting is the process whereby a thin beam of extremely hot light (laser) is used to cut shapes, patterns, holes, and profiles, into a piece of material.  The powerful laser melts and evaporates material as the laser head moves along the pre-programmed path in order to create the part.

 

Laser Cutting Advantages

The advantages of laser cutting include:
– Can create virtually any shape, hole, or pattern.
– Does not need special tooling to create special holes.
– High tolerances are achievable up to 0.005″.
– High level of repeatability.
– High sheet utilization as there are no restrictions for clamps or other material hold downs.

 

Laser Cutting Disadvantages

The disadvantages of laser cutting include:
– Unable to produce formed features such as louvers, knockouts, lances, bridges, countersink, and taps.

 

CNC PUNCHING

Punching is the process whereby a machine that uses a tool and die creates the holes and profile of the sheet metal part.

 

CNC Punching Advantages and Benefits

The advantages of punching include:
– Cost effective alternative to laser cutting as most punching machines costs significantly less than laser cutting machines.
– Can process some materials that lasers are unable to process including copper, brass, and plastics.
– Able to create features in sheet metal such as louvers, knockouts, lances, bridges, taps, countersinks, and other special/custom forms.

 

CNC Punching Disadvantages

The disadvantages of punching include:
– Processing can be slower depending on the part size, number of holes, shape, etc…
– Restricted to the tooling of the fabricator.
– May require special tooling for complex holes or shapes.

 

Amtex Precision Fabrication

At Amtex, we offer both laser cutting and CNC punching services to ensure your parts are processed in the most economical and efficient manner possible while adhering to tolerance and other requirements.  If you need precision metal fabrication services, contact Amtex online or call our team at (281) 489-7042 today!

Quality inspections during the fabrication process help to not only ensure quality requirements of the client are met, but also help to improve the fabricator’s processes, which in turn significantly improves customer satisfaction.

Quality inspections on the shop floor improves the customer experience by:

 

Reducing Overall Lead Times

When a client puts in an order for top-end metal products, it is vital that they receive their order in a timely manner. Otherwise, they may experience production delays, which costs them money while also diminishing the purchasing experience. 

The use of shop floor inspections using standard inspection tools, as well as inspection software helps ensure quality and lead-time goals are achieved.

 

Lowering Costs

By integrating inspection into the standard process and having dedicated inspection personnel, the costs of inspection and quality is reduced.  The costs of rework, employee moral, and client dissatisfaction associated with poor quality or lack of quality standards and procedures far outweighs the initial and ongoing costs to perform standardized inspections.

 

Enhancing Part Quality

Even the most accurate machinery and well intentioned employees can produce metal goods that can be out of tolerance, made from the wrong material type or thickness, or a number of other ways to cause non-conformances.  

By using standards and procedures that make shop floor inspections a daily task, manufacturers can ensure that customers receive high-quality parts that meet or exceed requested specifications!

 

Amtex Precision Fabrication

At Amtex, we have dedicated staff performing first article, second article, and final inspections on every job.  This ensures our clients receive the highest quality part that meet or exceed their expectations.  If you need precision metal fabrication services, contact Amtex online or call our team at (281) 489-7042 today!

 

It may not be common knowledge, but all laser cutting machines require assist gas when cutting material.  The assist gas helps to push the melted material out of the cut zone so the laser can cut the material without it get welded back together.

 

The traditional kinds of assist gas

Generally, the material type and thickness will dictate the type of assist gas required for cutting.

Mild steel is generally cut using oxygen and aluminum and stainless steel are generally cut using nitrogen.  There are advantages and disadvantages for each type of material type and thickness and its widely accepted assist gas type; including cutting speed, edge quality, costs, and other factors.

 

High-pressure air as assist gas

It wasn’t uncommon for some laser cutters to use shop air for their laser cutting, but that was limited to a traditional air compressor’s 150-200 psi.  So it was used for cutting 1/8″ thick and under materials.

But now, a new technology has recently emerged in the laser cutting assist gas world and it is cutting with high-pressure air.  There are high pressure air systems that can produce 400-500 psi, which is what would be required to cut thicker material with oxygen or nitrogen.  The system works by drawing air in and compresses it to build pressure.

This allows laser cutters to cut a wider range of material thicknesses without the extra expense of cutting with either oxygen or nitrogen.

 

Lowering Costs

Assist gases can be one of the most expensive components of operating a laser cutting machine.  For example, nitrogen can costs upwards of $16.00 per hour which is a cost that has to be passed on to the customer.

However, since the high-pressure air system uses oxygen and nitrogen that are already in the atmosphere, the hourly operating costs is significantly lower, which translates to more economical pricing for clients.

 

Increasing Output

Another benefit to cutting with high-pressure air is that the feed rates can be up to 20% faster than compared to cutting with either oxygen or nitrogen.  This translates into more parts per hour, which allows a laser cutter to fulfill larger run orders in a more timely manner.

 

Enhancing Part Quality

Cutting with high-pressure air is especially great for aluminum.  The edge quality of an part cut with high-pressure air vs. a part cut with nitrogen is quite noticeable, especially on thicker aluminum up to 1/2″ thick.

 

Amtex Precision Fabrication

At Amtex, our laser cutting machines operate with high-pressure assist gas, which in turn helps reduce costs, increase output, and enhance edge quality.  If you need precision metal fabrication services, contact Amtex online or call our team at (281) 489-7042 today!

Amtex Precision is dedicated to continuous improvement in order to better serve our clients.  Our continuous improvement efforts have helped us to remain competitive by focusing on value added processes.

Here is a great article in The FABRICATOR about our journey going paperless at Amtex Precision.  It was not always easy, but we learned a lot about our processes and the results were well worth the effort. Thank you to The FABRICATOR for sharing our story and for the great article!

Here is the link to the article – Going paperless in a metal fabrication job shop

To learn more about our services, please contact us to see how we can help with your metal fabrication needs.

In recent years, automation and robotics technologies have become mainstays in the precision metal fabrication industries. These advanced solutions not only allow fabricators to work more efficiently, but also significantly improve customer satisfaction.

Metal fabrication automation improves the customer experience by:

 

Reducing Lead Times

When a client puts in an order for top-end metal products, it is vital that they receive their order in a timely manner. Otherwise, they may experience production delays, which costs them money while also diminishing the purchasing experience. 

The use of robotics drastically reduces factory lead times, thereby allowing fabricators to fulfill orders more efficiently.  

 

Lowering Costs

Fabrication robots not only work faster than human employees, but they also create products with a higher level of precision. This precision results in fewer wasted materials, which translates into reduced manufacturing costs. Metal fabricators are able to pass some of these cost savings onto the customer.

In addition, automation technologies will reduce the environmental impact of metal fabrication services. This is very appealing to many businesses as they become more conscious of environment-related issues.

 

Increasing Output

Another substantial benefit of automation is that it allows fabricators to increase their production output. They are able to fulfill large orders faster than ever before! Once again, this benefits customers by reducing delays and allowing them to acquire the materials they need to sustain normal production levels.

 

Enhancing Part Quality

Even the most talented human workers will produce metal goods with some variability. While these variations are negligible, robotic technology allows fabricators to enhance the consistency and quality of metal products.

By deploying automated metal fabrication solutions, manufacturers can ensure that customers receive high-quality parts that meet or exceed requested specifications!

 

Amtex Precision Fabrication

At Amtex, we leverage the power of automation to provide our clients with precise, high-end products in a cost-effective manner. If you need precision metal fabrication services, contact Amtex online or call our team at (281) 612-5905 today!

 

There’s a wide range of industries that require metal fabrication experts in order to complete their basic functions. But, some industries absolutely depend on professionals with specific talent and expertise when it comes to cutting, welding, and machining parts from steel, aluminum, and other metals. 

Here are five industries that rely on precise metal fabrication:

1. Construction

From small projects to large-scale builds, the construction industry requires a vast number of specialty pieces, many of which are created by metal fabricators. Parts like fasteners, framing, trusses and much more must fit together very precisely. Metal fabricators create these parts, as well as many of the specialized tools used in the industry.

2. Aerospace

Aircrafts are subject to extreme stresses, including high heat and forces, and failure in even a single part can be catastrophic. In addition to fabricating parts such as bulkheads, thermal shields, and engine parts, metal fabricators provide the engineering assistance necessary to ensure the parts will last.

3. Automotive

Whether they’re building new cars or restoring an older model, the automotive industry is one of the most common customers for metal fabricators. Creating custom pieces like engine mounts or engine parts requires the skill of a talented metal fabricator.

4. Medicine

The medical industry is constantly seeking metal fabricators to provide precision instruments, such as surgical tools and specialized equipment. Metal fabricators can create these items in bulk, ensuring that doctors will be able to treat their patients effectively with high-quality, dependable instruments. 

5. Petrochemical

Petrochemical applications can involve a number of dangerous substances. Each part must be carefully engineered and produced to ensure the safety of the plant and its workers. 

Metal fabricators create parts like chimney trays, feed inlet devices, sieve trays, and other integral elements for the petrochemical industry.

Searching for High-Quality Metal Fabrication? 

If you’re looking for metal fabrication experts to help you engineer and produce precision parts for your needs, contact the team at Amtex Precision Fabrication at 281-612-5905 today!

When it comes to your project, the budget is everything. If you can save money in production, you’re one step closer to a viable product. If your product needs high-quality metal fabrication, rest assured, there are several ways you can save. 

Here are some of the easiest ways to save on metal fabrication costs:

Get the Fabricator’s Perspective

The easiest way to start saving on metal fabrication costs is to share your plans with the fabricator. 

While you or your engineers may have excellent and reliable experience in designing plans, the fabricator turns them into reality. A good fabricator likely has a lot of insight to share that can reduce costs while still preserving your vision.

Choose the Right Material

Your current plans might call for a more expensive material that you don’t actually need. This could be because the raw materials are more expensive or because the material is more difficult to fabricate. Either way, by exploring various materials, your project could benefit from significant savings. 

If possible, account for standard sheet sizes and gauges in your design, as the standard is always less expensive than custom.

Simplify Any Bends

The bends in your product can be a more serious money-sink than you might expect. If your product calls for a thicker material, bends will be more difficult to create and may be less accurate too. 

Make sure the radius of your bends matches the thickness of the material to save as much money as possible.

Choose Amtex Precision

Amtex Precision is a full-service metal fabrication service with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Our metal fabrication services have helped with product creation in a number of sectors, including aerospace, architecture, high-quality electronics, medical equipment, and more. 

If you want the best metal fabrication services for your project, call Amtex Precision at 281-612-8305 today for a custom quote.

 

Certain products demand reliable, high-quality custom sheet metal fabrication to be worthwhile. Luckily, metal fabrication is a cost-effective production solution that can help you to properly realize the full potential of your product. 

 Below is a quick guide to everything you should know about custom sheet metal fabrication when you’re comparing various material options.

What Exactly is Metal Fabrication?

Metal fabrication is the process by which recycled or manufactured sheet metal is used to create new products. Metal fabrication can be used to make a wide array of products, such as parts for phone casings, gutters, mailboxes, ductwork, and more.

How Does Metal Fabrication Work?

When sheet metal is received, it goes through a complex process that forms it into a more usable state. Sheet metal can be cut, formed, folded, bent, punched, and engraved. Most cuts and engravings are made with advanced laser cutters.

How We Do It

While the exact process can change depending on the fabrication plans we receive, the same methods tend to be used when we’re working with sheet metal. We create the specified product by laser cutting, bending, welding, inserting hardware, and grinding and graining. 

For cutting, we use shears and lasers. For bending, we use CNC press brakes. We use Mig and Tig welding. For hardware insertion, we use Haeger Presses. Lastly, for grinding & graining, we use either an edge-rounder or a deburring machine and clean up any welds and use belt sanding to add a grained finish.

What Metal Fabrication Offers

Metal fabrication results in a superior product. Not only do metal designs tend to look sleek and attractive in appearance, but they also offer increased durability as well. 

These features are essential for tech products or for any product that relies on high-volume manufacturing. By using metal fabrication, you can often save on costs per unit due to easy process replication.

Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication with Amtex Precision

Amtex Precision has been serving the industry since 1983. With nearly 40 years of experience, we provide high-quality metal fabrication for a variety of industries, including aerospace, architecture, electronics, medical, and more. 

If your project is currently in need of quality metal fabrication, call Amtex Precision today at 281-489-7042 so we can turn your plans into a reality!

 

There are several methods for welding stainless steel, but there are three that stand out as the most common amongst professional welders: resistance welding, MIG welding, and TIG welding. 

In this article, we’ll take a brief look at these three methods and discuss the benefits of each approach.

Resistance Welding

Also known as spot welding, resistance welding joins metal parts by sending an electrical current to the joint, which creates a seal from the heat and pressure. This is a relatively fast and simple process that works especially well with metals that have a low melting point. 

Resistance welding is inexpensive and can easily be applied for small and large jobs alike. 

MIG Welding

MIG stands for metal inert gas, referring to the shielding gas used in the welding gun during the arc welding process. MIG welding offers a strong bond between two stainless steel parts and is often less expensive to perform than TIG welding. 

Another benefit is MIG welding’s affinity for a pulsed current supply, which makes it easier for the welder to reach difficult areas on more complicated jobs.

TIG Welding

Like MIG welding, TIG welding is another arc welding process. When welding stainless steel, TIG welding specifically relies on tungsten inert gas to produce a high-quality, longer-lasting weld. 

TIG welding is easily the most common stainless steel welding process, offering the welder a greater deal of control during operation. It’s a slower and more expensive process, but the results are unquestionably superior.

Choose Amtex Precision Fabrication

For over 30 years, Amtex Precision Fabrication has provided our clients with the best custom metal fabrication and laser cutting solutions for a wide variety of industries. If your operation is in need of mission-critical metal products with superior quality, contact Amtex Precision Fabrication today.