They are a bespoke spinning produced exactly to the customer’s specification.

These partciular metal sphere examples have been spun from mild steel. Three of these spinnings have had the weld removed and benefit from a crevise free finish. This enables
the customer to add any preferred final finish such as Chrome, Copper, Paint
or Annodised in the case of Aluminium.

Bespoke copper light shade spinning . Spun in four stages to enable us to
manufacture the 18mm copper neck. Produced from 2.0mm Copper.

Metal spinning is understood to be one of the oldest techniques of forming and shaping sheet metal and in its earlier years the spinning was done by hand. It has commonly been believed that this technique was first used by the ancient Egyptians, but there also exists significant evidence that the process was developed in ancient China originally – used initially as an art form then subsequently as a commercial trade.
The technique of metal spinning by hand involves placing a piece of metal on a lathe then shaping or forming it with a tool known as a spoon. The metal spinner forms a flat piece of metal over a specially designed chuck to produce the desired shape. This could be compared to a potter at his potters wheel. This method will produce a round metal object which can then be tapered or shaped according to the design of the piece. The flat piece of metal is shaped around the chuck by the spoon tool making a series of passes over it. The shape of the finished piece depends entirely on the shape of the chuck – obviously, there are many different shapes and sizes of chucks.
The method can be used to shape and form the piece for both artistic and functional items. The process was used in olden days to make objects such as bowls, urns, candlesticks and goblets. Generally speaking only softer metals can be spun by hand. The materials used include cold roll steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass and copper.
Hand metal spinning is still used today but due to the technology available this is considered to be a bit of a dying art form. It is more time consuming and far less efficient than the machine based metal spinning industry.

Artec Engineering are metal spinners based in Hampshire. They have been supplying the industry with spun metal components and fabrications since 1964.

The fundamental tool used for metal spinning is the lathe. A lathe is a machine tool that is used for shaping and forming metal.It can also be used to shape or form wood. The lathe spins the metal or wood to perform a variety of operations such as sanding, knurling,cutting, sanding deformation or drilling. This is done with various tools which are applied to the material. The tools can be or varying types, shapes and sizes. The material turns about a horizontal axis against one or more of these fixed tools. The lathe forms an object which has symmetry about an axis of rotation.The lathe shapes a workpiece by gripping it in its holding device and rotating it under power against a suitable cutting tool where it is used to perform a variety of operations such as turning, boring, facing, or threading. It is turned at a constant rate for maximum effect.
A metal spinning lathe is a large class of lathe which is specifically designed for precisely machining relatively hard materials. Softer materials like wood would not require such precision. This precise machining is brought about through the tool carriage and cross slide, increased rigidity and closer tolerances when fabricated. The tool carriage and cross slide moves the cutting tools precisely and with such control that it can maintain nearly any angle relative to the work being cut.

Artec Engineering are metal spinners based in Hampshire. They have been supplying the industry with spun metal components and fabrications since 1964.

Shear Form
The shear forming technique is very similar to that of flow forming with one major difference – only one pass is made over the metal by the rollers. As with flow form, a metal disc is fixed against the lathe before angled rollers begin the process of shaping the disc into a consistent cone. Due to the fact that only one pass is made, this is a very efficient and economical process. However, there are of course disadvantages to using this technique as the process is very limiting and only basic shapes can be formed.

Beading
The metal spinning technique of beading is used to create a rounded edge or a lip on the metal spun object. A variety of tools are used to create this effect. The beading technique can be used to finish a previously spun object. As the metal is spun, different tools are either dragged or rolled against it using the force to create the beaded edge. Objects such as lamp bases, bannisters and candle holders have had this process used on them to give their beaded edges. Beading can be used for to give a specific finish or for decorative purposes.

Artec Engineering are metal spinners based in Hampshire. They have been supplying the industry with spun metal components and fabrications since 1964.

The industries utilising metal spinning are numerous and varied. As metal spinning techniques have developed and improved over time, these industry sectors have felt the benefits in a number of ways. These advantages include quality, efficiency, design and of course cost.
Metal spinning is used in the following industries:

• nuclear
• architecture
• pharmaceutical
• food processing and preparation
• lighting
• medical
• musical instruments
• power generation
• motor
• air conditioning and filtration systems
• art, design and sculpture
• retail – shop fittings
• general manufacturing / factory

Whether the process of metal spinning is used in the production of a single bespoke piece or on a run of multiple identical parts, the technique is vital to the working operations and continual growth and development of these industries.
Within the food processing and food preparation industries, spun metal is intrinsic to its modern day operations. From large factory based food mixers and other equipment right down to a small pot or pan in any everyday domestic kitchen, all are examples of spun metal. The efficiency and cost effectiveness of this process combined with the high yield of the spun metal makes this technique a vital part of this industry. Within more creative industries such as art, design, sculpture and architecture it would not be uncommon for large one off bespoke pieces of spun metal to be commissioned for certain projects.

Artec Engineering is a metal spinning company based in Hampshire. They have been supplying the industry with spun metal components and fabrications since 1964.