Metalworking Types

Metal Molding Processes

Metalworking is a general term for molding processes that alter the form of metal materials through physical or chemical means, primarily used in industrial manufacturing. Its core goal is to transform raw metal into components with specific shapes or structures.

Traditional metalworking is divided into basic processes such as casting, forging, and rolling. Sand casting is suitable for small-batch complex molding, while forging, the oldest process, uses hammering to form parts. Technological advances have led to the development of precision casting methods such as die casting and spin casting, while injection casting and investment casting offer cost advantages for large-scale production. Modern processing technologies include powder metallurgy, which boasts a 97% material utilization rate, and high-efficiency molding processes such as spinning and stamping. Chipless molding technologies such as laser cutting and electrical discharge machining reduce material loss, while directional solidification processes can produce heat-resistant alloy parts with excellent fatigue resistance. These various processes are combined based on part size, precision requirements, and production batch size to form a complete metalworking system.