Let us cut your metal plate

Metal plate cutting is a machining process that involves working on a metal plate to give it the desired shape.

In machining, the process is carried out while respecting the specific characteristics of each type of material. Cutting a stainless steel or steel metal plate, for example, does not follow the same principles as cutting an aluminum one.

Indeed, whether it’s steel, aluminum, or stainless steel, each of these materials has unique characteristics that need to be taken into account during the cutting process. Steel, being stronger, requires more robust tools to produce a finished piece that perfectly meets the specified requirements. This is not the case for stainless steel and aluminum, which are more fragile and can be cut using smaller-scale equipment.

Whether in regular machining or precision machining, considering the characteristics of each material to be cut plays a crucial role in production. This allows for custom-made parts tailored to their intended use.

Furthermore, metal plate cutting is carried out using several methods, including:

1. Milling: This is done with the help of a machine tool that operates like a drill and a working table that moves in multiple directions. This type of machine is highly versatile and can perform tasks such as planing, threading, slot cutting, etc.
2. Turning: In this method, the workpiece is mounted on a spindle into which the cutting tool is inserted. Many automotive mechanical components are produced using this process (camshafts, spark plug holders, crankshaft bearing supports, etc.).
3. Threading is used when the initial piece is not precise enough or when a complete thread depth is required.
4. Grinding: This method is particularly useful for achieving fine metal parts with high-precision shapes.
5. Filing is also used for finishing parts, especially during deburring operations.

After metal machining, the parts undergo a series of treatments aimed at protecting them against corrosion or other forms of metal deterioration. For enthusiasts of vintage tools, specific treatments are added to give a retro look to the machined parts.

The quality of the resulting machined parts is impeccable. Upon delivery, many professionals are satisfied with the quality-to-price ratio offered by machining centers, which encourages them to choose a machining workshop whenever the need arises.

Metal is naturally rigid, resists extreme temperatures and can withstand deformation. These characteristics enable it to be manipulated with precision to produce the parts needed to manufacture other products.

The following metals can be subjected to a cutting process:

Aluminum
copper
Iron or steel
Stainless steel
Magnetic sheet metal
Whether for wall decoration or the manufacture of custom-made equipment, the importance of metal in everyday life is well established. However, metal-cutting specialists use a number of processes to obtain objects to match your home, or parts to make appliances:

Machining: this is a process of manufacturing parts by chip separation. This can be done at home, by hand (with a saw, shears, metal shears) or in a machining center with industrial cutting machines (drilling, turning, milling, grinding…);
Burning: which consists in separating the fragments of a metal sheet through oxidation.
Miscellaneous specialization techniques: this process does not fall into any of the above categories. This is the case, for example, with chemical milling, which produces a high-quality part by using etching and masking chemicals to remove excess material from the finished product.

To cut a metal plate, machining centers like G.M. Précision use the following tools:

Turning tools
Lathes come in three subtypes: motorized, turret and special-purpose.

The first type is mainly used by general machinists and workers new to the trade. Turret and special-purpose lathes, on the other hand, are used for the repeated manufacture of parts.

Milling tools
Milling tools are used to cut unique details, shapes and patterns from steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum or any other machining material.

Cutting tools
Cutting tools give a certain precision to the metal part to be machined. Shears, saws, discs… can be used to carefully cut a metal plate when certain precise cuts are required.

Drilling tools
This type of tool is ideal for drilling holes in metal plate or any other type of material.

Boring tools
These tools can be used to enlarge drilled holes on a machined piece of material.

And laser cutting too!

Many tools are used to cut metal plates, including lasers. Each of them contributes to the design of customized parts adapted to a specific use. However, it’s important to remember that, to achieve high-quality products with precise finishes, you can’t use one-size-fits-all precision. Cutting precision is adapted to each type of material.

Metal is an easy material to handle, but it must be used with due consideration for its different variations. Iron, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and magnetic sheet all require specific cutting precision.

As you can see, there is no standard cutting precision that can be used for machining metal parts. Nevertheless, it’s up to the machinist to know what cutting precision to use to produce a part that meets the customer’s requirements.

Smiling advice and welcome, prototyping, easy discussion with the teams, concern for quality of service… G.M. Précision is always committed to offering its partners a custom machining service perfectly adapted to their needs.

Whether cutting sheet metal or machining other materials, our workshop is equipped with high-performance machines controlled by professionals with a passion for precision machining. This enables us to offer a tailor-made machining service that meets your highest standards.

We handle all stages of product design, from feasibility study to delivery. Our attention to detail, our reasonable prices, our ability to handle metal in all its forms, … all these elements are our best advertising.

Contact us today for more information and to get started on your metal plate cutting project.

We also serve the following locations: Montreal, Gatineau, etc…