Category: Blog

Laser cutting gives you the ability to create intricate cuts in metals like stainless steel and aluminum. In addition to precision, the computer guidance system found within a laser cutting system means you can perform the same cut repeatedly at high speeds.

Laser Cutters

There are two types of laser cutters used by the industry:  CO2 lasers and fiber lasers. While CO2 lasers were the standard equipment for many years, they tend to be inefficient for cutting metal, as the material absorbs much of the heat. 

In contrast, fiber lasers have a shorter wavelength, allowing for sharper cuts due to a narrower kerf. 

How Lasers Cut Metal

Laser cutters work by focusing a high-intensity light beam into a very narrow point. The laser beam begins at a diameter of about ¾” and ends at a cutting diameter of about 0.008”. It is reflected from mirror to mirror to direct the beam towards a focusing lens or a curved mirror, depending on your specific laser cutter. 

 Once the beam hits the focusing device, it passes through a nozzle that helps to channel a flow of laser-cutting gas, which is usually compressed nitrogen or oxygen. 

As the beam hits the metal, it quickly heats the surface, melting or vaporizing the metal. With oxygen, the cutting process is much faster, but it produces more slag on the sides of the cut. Nitrogen slows down the cutting process but results in much smoother cuts.  

CNC Laser Cutters

With CNC laser cutters, a computer controls the path of the laser cutting, allowing you to create intricate patterns quickly and easily. You simply create a CAD/CAM file, which is then programmed into the cutting software. This program then cuts the piece automatically. This process can be repeated as often as necessary.

 Laser cutting is a quick, efficient way to create custom metal components. Amtex Precision has the equipment and training to tackle any metal fabrication project. Contact us today to learn more!

Stainless steel is an alloy that is composed of iron, carbon, and at least 10.5% chromium. It’s not the most difficult metal to weld, but it has some unique properties that must be considered when welding.

In this post, we’ll cover the three most common methods for welding stainless steel, including TIG welding, MIG welding, and resistance welding.

TIG welding

Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding is a type of arc welding that uses low heat, making it ideal for thinner materials. The actual mixture of the gas can vary depending on the specifications of the finished product, but typically, it includes a mixture of argon, helium, hydrogen, and nitrogen. 

The finished product can be protected from oxidation and corrosion through a single-sided welding process that creates backing gas protection between interior and exterior welds. TIG welding is the most common method used for stainless steel.

MIG welding

Metal inert gas (MIG) welding is a semi-automated process that allows welders to access hard-to-reach areas or complex structures. 

MIG welding uses an argon-rich shielding gas and other gases such as helium, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. MIG welding allows two pieces of material to be joined solidly and can be used to ensure the stability of a finished product.

Resistance welding.

Resistance welding (often called “spot” welding) simply uses electrical current to fuse metal edges together. This can be useful for materials with a low melting point. An experienced welder can complete the job without distorting the rest of the material. Because the equipment is so versatile, it can be used on a variety of project types.

Contact Amtex Precision

Amtex Precision Fabrication has been delivering custom, critical metal projects to our clients for over 30 years. The next time you’re in need of metal fabrication or related services, contact the pros at Amtex Precision.

There are dozens of different types of metal, which can make it difficult to distinguish one from another. While there are many ways to analyze a metal’s characteristics, it is easiest to start by dividing them into broad categories. After that is complete, you can begin to hone in on specific characteristics and capabilities.

Perhaps the simplest method is to sort metals into ferrous and non-ferrous categories. Below, we will discuss the difference between these two metal types and why it is important to categorize them in this manner.

What Is Ferrous Metal?

If metal is categorized as being “ferrous,” it simply means that it contains iron. Some common examples of ferrous metals include:

• Cast iron
• Wrought iron
• Alloy steel
• Carbon steel

Ferrous metals are generally used for industrial applications. Shipping containers, railroad tracks, commercial tools, and even industrial pipes typically use ferrous metals. The presence of iron in these metals makes them more durable than their non-ferrous counterparts.

What Is a Non-Ferrous Metal?

As you might have guessed, non-ferrous metals do not contain iron. They have actually been used for a much longer period of time than ferrous metals. Some commonly known non-ferrous metals include:

• Bronze
• Tin
• Copper
• Lead
• Zinc
• Aluminum
• Gold
• Silver

If ferrous metals are more durable, you may be wondering why non-ferrous materials have been used for so much longer. The primary reason is due to their malleability. The crude forging methods used in centuries past made it difficult to work with ferrous metals. The softer and more malleable non-ferrous metals were much easier to shape into various goods.

Why Does It Matter?

When designing a metal-based product, it is important to understand the benefits of each metal type. For example, if you need your product to be non-magnetic, then you will need a non-ferrous metal. On the other hand, if your goal is maximum durability and strength, then you will want to use a ferrous metal.

Are you in the market for custom sheet metal fabrication? If so, then it is time to contact Amtex Precision Fabrication. We can help you find the perfect material for your project.

We specialize in mission-critical products and are known for our fast turnaround times. Contact us today for all of your metal fabrication needs.

It’s strange to imagine those few months of 2020 where most were blissfully unaware of the impending chaos that is the Coronavirus Pandemic. The virus was first noted in December of 2019, but it wouldn’t be until March that the World Health Organization would declare it a global pandemic. 

Since then, the world has changed in countless ways. Some of the biggest changes will reveal themselves as more years go by, but one noticeable effect is a massive push in reshoring efforts from companies worldwide.  Continue reading How the Pandemic Is Spurring Reshoring Efforts

When you need metal fabrication solutions for any type of project, Amtex Precision Fabrication has you covered. No matter what type of industry you’re in, we can provide what you need. Our experts use a wide range of state-of-the-art metal fabrication technologies to ensure that each project can meet its goals. 

Servo-Electronic Press Brake Bending with 3D Monitor

Our smart-bending technology allows formed parts to be programmed offline, which reduces machine setup times and helps to reduce overall costs.  Additionally, this allows our engineers to have complete control over final shapes. With this powerful tool, we can achieve high-quality, efficient, and precise metal bends.   Continue reading How Our State-of-the-Art Tech Helps You Achieve Your Goals

At Amtex Precision Fabrication, we pride ourselves on being able to deliver mission-critical materials to our clients, no matter how strict your deadline may be. With that in mind, we understand that the successful completion of any custom project might often involve overcoming obstacles.

In order to prevent these obstacles from derailing your project or causing you to miss your deadline, our in-house team of engineers and fabrication experts will take extra precautions to make sure that your product is delivered on time, every time.

We accomplish this by focusing on three key elements of your experience: communication, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence. Continue reading 3 Ways Our In-House Engineers and Experts Overcome Obstacles To Meet Your Deadline

Stainless steel and aluminum are two of the most commonly used materials in metal fabrication projects. Both materials are synthetic alloys, meaning they are manmade combinations of naturally occurring metals, but that’s almost where the similarities stop.

If you’re planning a metal fabrication project and you’re unsure whether to use stainless steel or aluminum, read on to learn the differences between the two so that you can better understand what projects they are best suited for.   Continue reading Stainless Steel or Aluminum: Which Is Right for Your Fabrication Project?

Some people are surprised when we recommend working with stainless steel sheet metal. Often, stainless steel is thought of only in food trades where sterilization is of the utmost importance, but it is actually a great metal for all industries. And sheet metal, although thin, is extremely strong and durable when correctly designed and fabricated.

Advantages of stainless steel fabrication

Stainless steel has a lot more applications than you might think. It is often used for: Continue reading Advantages of Working with Stainless Steel Sheet Metal in Your Fabrication Project

Amtex Precision Fabrication, a precision sheet metal fabricator, has hired two high school interns from the JB Hensler College and Career Academy of Alvin ISD.  JB Hensler College and Career Academy focuses on industry-driven education with a combination of in-class, hands-on education, and real-world experience to prepare students for careers in industries ranging from Automotive Tech to Cosmetology and Culinary Arts to Welding.  This is the second year Amtex Precision has worked with JB Hensler to bring in high school seniors for hands-on, real world working experience.

Our newest team members are Anthony Gonzalez and Jerry Coreas, both seniors in high school attending JB Hensler.  The internships last throughout the schoolyear and students are graded on their work performance.  The interns work on real customer orders with the direction and supervision of Amtex Precision’s manufacturing staff.  Amtex Precision is proud to partner with JB Hensler to help provide high school students with real-world, hands-on manufacturing experience. 

Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony is a senior and has been learning to weld at JB Hensler for four years.  He was inspired to learn welding by watching his stepfather, who is a career welder.  Anthony enjoys using his hands to make things and after high school wants to attend a technical school to pursue a career in either mechanics or welding.

Jerry Coreas
Jerry is a senior and has been learning to weld at JB Hensler for four years.  He was inspired to learn welding by enjoying the hands-on aspect of using a welding machine and the ability to continually learn and improve as experience is gained.  After graduating high school, Jerry wants to pursue a career as a welder on pipeline.

What does it mean to have in-house engineers working on your project? If you have a design in mind but don’t know how to make it work, having an in-house engineer can be a huge asset. But even if you know how you want your part to be made, our engineers can work to help you ensure your project is a success.

Catching design flaws prior to fabrication

Our in-house engineers can look at every aspect of your design to make sure it is solid. As the computer aided design software is programmed for your fabrication project they can identify problem areas and come up with solutions. Finding these issues ahead of actually starting fabrication can save you a lot of time and money. Continue reading Why Our In-House Engineers Are a Hidden Advantage