At Helander, we are able to offer innovative and cutting-edge spinning solutions to our customers by regularly expanding our equipment portfolio. We are pleased to announce the recent addition of a CNC metal spinning lathe with machining capabilities to our equipment line. 

Our new lathe is designed to tolerate hot spinning up to 2,000° F and is equipped with thermocouple feedback and temperature control to facilitate temperature monitoring. Our team can now spin form blanks up to 8 feet in diameter and metals up to 2 inches thick, depending on the metal grade and the temperature applied. These aspects and capabilities make the CNC metal spinning lathe ideal for applications requiring larger components, heat resistance, or precise temperature control.

Compatible Parts & Industrial Applications

CNC metal spinning lathes enable an exceptional degree of design versatility and can be used to produce parts for a wide range of industries and applications. The high level of precision and consistency achieved with CNC metal spinning lathes make them especially well-suited for producing complex components for aerospace and defense operations. 

Several examples of products commonly manufactured through CNC metal spinning include:

• Exhaust ducts
• Liners for airplanes or spacecraft
• Tank heads
• Pressure vessels

At Helander, we are capable of holding tolerances within +/-0.030 of an inch, allowing us to manufacture complex parts with incredible precision. The many metal alloys we work with include titanium; 321 stainless steel; and 7075, 5052, and 6061 aluminum, with material thicknesses ranging from 0.018–2 inches. 

We also possess a hydroforming facility that is equipped to produce parts up to 20 inches in diameter and 10 inches in height. We are able to accommodate orders ranging from a single piece up to 50,000 pieces annually.

The CNC Metal Spinning Lathe Process

The metal spinning process uses friction created by a high-speed lathe to transform metal into spherical or conical shapes. A flat metal disc or tube known as a blank is rotated on a lathe and pressed against a tool called a mandrel to shape it into the requested configuration. With traditional metal spinning methods, an operator manually controls the spinning process to produce axially symmetrical parts.

While manual spinning methods are still critical and widely used within the metal spinning industry, using a CNC machine to control the spinning process offers excellent intricacy, precision, and repeatability in part production. With CNC spinning, a trained machinist programs an operational sequence on a computer, which will then be used to shape the metal workpiece according to the customer’s specifications. 

Benefits of CNC spinning technology include:

• Quick and efficient production
• Short lead times
• High repeatability
• Wide range of possible designs, patterns, and details
• Relatively low production costs
• Low-cost tooling

CNC Metal Spinning Services at Helander 

CNC metal spinning lathes are among the latest and greatest innovations in metal spinning technology today. Applying computer programming and automation to the metal spinning process enables the quick and efficient production of high-precision parts with reliable repeatability. CNC technology is an ideal fit for manufacturing components used in competitive and demanding industries where precision is critical to safety and performance.

With the addition of our new CNC metal spinning lathe, Helander is more prepared than ever to meet even the most stringent manufacturing requirements of customers from virtually any industry. With more than 80 years of experience in metal forming and fabrication, we are exceptionally qualified to provide carefully tailored manufacturing solutions for applications of any complexity. Given our long track record of successful projects, you can count on us for high-quality products, excellent customer service, and prompt deliveries.

For additional information regarding our metal spinning services and other manufacturing capabilities, check out our ever-expanding free resource center or contact our team today.